2010 marks the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second and shortest leg of the Triple Crown series. It will take place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., this year on Saturday, May 15, 2010. At only 1-3/16 miles, the Preakness Stakes often attracts a mix of Kentucky Derby contenders and Triple Crown spoilers intent on the winner?s share of the $1M purse. Last year, filly Rachel Alexandra came off a history-making 20-length win in the Kentucky Oaks to claim the Preakness Stakes, making her the first filly since Nelly Morse in 1924 to win the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans."

Preakness Stakes: Did you know?

Date: Saturday May 15th, 2010
Location: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD
Post Time: 6:05PM (EST)
TV Network: NBC, 5:00PM (EST)

The Preakness Stakes was run for 15 years at the Gravesend track in Brooklyn, New York.

So moved by the events of the day, an overly enthusiastic bugler took it upon himself to start in on a rendition of "Maryland My Maryland" (the official state song of Maryland). The rest of the band joined in and another tradition was born.

Over the course of its history, the Preakness was run 11 times prior to the Kentucky Derby; and in 1917 and 1922 they were both run on the same day.

The first Preakness, held on May 27, 1873 drew a field of seven starters.

The Preakness Stakes is commonly referred to as "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, is traditionally placed around the winner's neck.

In 1918, 26 horses entered the Preakness and because it was run in two divisions there were two winners that year.

RANDOM