The Preakness Stakes, May 18th, is an annual horse racing event held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the second leg of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The race is typically held on the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The race is contested on a dirt track over a distance of 1 3/16 miles, making it slightly shorter than the Kentucky Derby and slightly longer than the Belmont Stakes.

The race is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds, and they must meet certain qualification standards to be eligible to compete. The Preakness Stakes has a long history, dating back to 1873, and is named after a horse named Preakness, who won the Dinner Party Stakes, the race that eventually became the Preakness Stakes. The race has been held at Pimlico Race Course since 1909.

Some of the most famous and successful horses in history have won the Preakness Stakes, including Secretariat, American Pharoah, and Justify, who went on to win the Triple Crown in 2018. The race is also known for its festive atmosphere, with attendees enjoying the race-day traditions, including the “Black-Eyed Susan” cocktail and the playing of “Maryland, My Maryland,” the state song of Maryland. 

The Preakness Stakes is also an important betting event, with millions of dollars wagered on the race each year. The race is seen as a key indicator of which horse might go on to win the Triple Crown, and it is closely watched by horse racing enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

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