Preakness Stakes Tickets

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The History & Significance of the Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes is an annual Grade I horse race that attracts the finest three-year-old thoroughbreds in America. Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore introduced the premier event in 1873, and Maryland Governor Oden Bowie named the contest in honor of the colt who earned the win at the Dinner Party Stakes on the track’s opening day. John Chamberlain's three-year-old runner, Survivor, won the inaugural Preakness by an astonishing ten lengths! 

The tradition continues each year on the third Saturday in May when competitors are challenged to race to the finish line on a 1 3⁄16-mile dirt track. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds and fillies 121 pounds, testing the horses’ speed and stamina. Victors emerge in an elite group, among the best in the sport. More importantly, those who win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness can capture the ultimate prize, The Triple Crown, with a win at the Belmont Stakes.

Preakness Activities & Traditions

The Preakness Stakes is the grand finale of a week of parties and benefits in Baltimore, but it’s the Alibi Breakfast that gets things started. This event originated in the 1930s, when trainers would meet in the clubhouse for coffee, sharing stories and offering excuses (alibis) as to why their horses had not yet won. Now, on the morning of the third Thursday in May, guests are invited to gather at Pimlico to indulge in Maryland favorites and mingle with equestrian experts.

Friday is Black-Eyed Susan Day, named for the state flower of Maryland. It has come to be associated with gender equality, features seminars with female racing analysts, and encourages the patronization of women-owned businesses. It also marks the start of Preakness LIVE, a music festival in the Pimlico infield. There are also six stakes taking place, three graded, worth a total of $1 million in purses. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, formerly known as the Pimlico Oaks, is a race for three-year-old fillies.

On Saturday, attendees can watch the Preakness Parade, where they can get a peek at the horses. The Preakness Stakes gets underway around 4:30 p.m. EDT, with the victor typically crossing the finish line in under two minutes. During the closing ceremony, the winner is presented with a blanket covered in over 4,000 Viking Poms, and the owner receives the Woodlawn Vase. Finally, a painter climbs to the top of the Old Clubhouse cupola and adds the colors of the team’s silks to the weather vane.

Friday Races

• The Very One Stakes

• The Hilltop Stakes

• The Allaire Dupont Distaff Stakes

• The Pimlico Special - Grade III

• The Miss Preakness Stakes - Grade III

• The George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes - Grade II

Saturday Races

• The James W. Murphy Stakes

• The Sir Barton Stakes

• The Jim McKay Turf Sprint - Listed

• The Skipat Stakes - Listed

• The Dinner Party Stakes - Grade III

• The Gallorette Stakes - Grade III

• The Maryland Sprint Stakes - Grade III

• The Chick Lang Stakes - Grade III

• The Preakness Stakes - Grade I

2024 Preakness LIVE Performers

• Jack Harlow

• Chantel Jeffries

• Frank Walker

• Gryffin

• DJ Set by Channel Tres

Moments That Made Headlines

Each year, the Preakness captivates an eclectic audience, from equine enthusiasts and sports fans to celebrities and high rollers, all converging to witness a grand spectacle that serves as the centerpiece of the Triple Crown. With tickets in hand, you’ll have a chance to witness compelling moments and incredible feats, like these events that captured the essence of this storied competition:

• 1932: Coming off a win at the Kentucky Derby, Burgoo King turned a precarious start into an extraordinary victory. After initially losing position due to a bump, he navigated his way back through the pack, making a strong push in the final stretch. In the gripping final seconds, he surged forward in a nail-biting three-way photo finish, ultimately prevailing by a head.

• 1973: Secretariat's run was a breathtaking display of raw speed and strategic brilliance. Following a slow exit from the gate, he overtook the entire field on the first turn. The audacious move set the tone for the remainder of the race. He maintained his lead, broke the stakes record, and kept tongues wagging about a potential Triple Crown with his awe-inspiring performance.

• 1978: A rivalry between Affirmed and Alydar reached a fever pitch at the Preakness Stakes. After a hard-fought victory at the Kentucky Derby, Affirmed once again faced his biggest foe. Leading into the final stretch, Alydar started closing in on the favorite. Affirmed held his ground, edging out Alydar by a neck in a fantastic finish that epitomized the thrill of horse racing.

• 2005: After a significant bump nearly toppled Afleet Alex over, jockey Jeremy Rose regained his own balance and swiftly calmed his horse. However, instead of simply allowing him to regain composure, Rose’s quick action enabled Alex to overtake Scrappy T and pull away from the pack to cross the finish line first by a decisive 4 3/4 lengths, a victory as dominant as it was dramatic.

• 2009: Rachel Alexandra made a statement when she competed against a field of male horses and became the first filly to claim a Preakness victory since Nellie Morse in 1924 and the fifth in the history of the race. She demonstrated extraordinary speed, making a statement by breaking gender barriers and setting a high benchmark for future females in the sport.

• 2012: Starting the race as an underdog, I’ll Have Another stayed close enough to his competition to find an opportunity to overtake them in the last furlong. He closed a three-length gap, catching Bodemeister in the final moments. By a neck, he earned the title and accolades, keeping his Triple Crown dreams alive and delivering one of the most exciting finishes in Preakness history.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Preakness Stakes?

The Preakness Stakes is traditionally held on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May. This date allows for a two-week break after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.

Where is the Preakness Stakes held?

The Preakness Stakes takes place at the Pimlico Race Course on Park Heights Ave in Baltimore, Maryland. The venue opened in 1870, with a horse named Preakness earning the first win at the track.

How much are Preakness tickets?

The cost of Preakness tickets varies, as it is based on multiple factors, including date and demand. Explore current pricing at GoTickets.com, and grab the seats you want at a price you can afford.

Where can I buy Preakness Stakes tickets?

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Are Preakness Stakes tickets sold out?

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