Where Is Pimlico Race Course?
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Pimlico racetrack is a mainstay in the horse racing world and plays host to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. Pimlico is not only the home of the Preakness Stakes, but it also hosts several other thoroughbred racing events through the calendar year.
What Races Are Run At Pimlico?
There are several Grade II & III races at Pimlico, but the only Grade I race is the Preakness Stakes. The Preakness Stakes occurs on the third Saturday in May each year. The Grade I thoroughbred horse race is held annually between the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes races. The first Preakness Stakes occurred in 1873 and was named in honor of the first Dinner Party Stakes winning colt, Preakness. Pimlico hosts several other live races for spectators and sports bettors to watch and enjoy the excitement of top-caliber horse racing.
Pimlico Schedule
How Old Is Pimlico Race Course?
This year will mark the 147th Preakness Stakes, which will occur at none other than the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Pimlico Preakness weekend is a one-of-a-kind event, where horse racing fans from across the United States gather to watch the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans. Opened October 25, 1870, the second-oldest thoroughbred racecourse was engineered by General John Ellicott and owned by the Maryland Jockey Club. The name Pimlico was derived from an old tavern in London that English settlers named the area after in the 1660s.
How Long Is Pimlico Racetrack?
The stadium can hold a capacity of 98,983 attendees at any given time, and is widely known for the 1938 Seabiscuit vs War Admiral race in the second annual Pimlico Special. The course consists of a one-mile dirt oval, which stretches around a seven-furlong turf oval. Their stables are rather impressive and can house roughly 1,000 horses at any given time.
More About Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico also has the nickname “The Old Hilltop” due to a small rise infield that became a favorite gathering location for the trainers and enthusiasts where they could view contestants up close. The hill has since been removed, as it obstructed views for television and video cameras in the 1930s.
The course is owned by Stronach Group, the largest thoroughbred horse racing company in North America. Stronach Group also owns several other tracks across the United States, including Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Laurel Park Racecourse.
Preakness’ jockey, Billy Hayward, received a silk bag full of gold coins as his prize at the sporting event. It was during this race that the common term “purse” in regard to prize money was coined. The first Preakness Stakes purse in 1873 was worth $1,000; today, the Preakness Stakes purse is worth more than $1.5 million.
Pimlico also uses its large seating venue for more than horse racing, having hosted several music concerts and festivals featuring some of the industry’s biggest names such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who, The Beastie Boys and more.
Be sure to get all of your Pimlico race picks in before the next big Pimlico races go down so you can win your own prize purse on horse racing.