The Preakness Stakes has been the middle leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown since the 1930’s. Although the race itself has taken place for almost forty years before being linked with the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, it is the Triple Crown significance that now drove the casual racing fan.
If a horse wants a chance to become a legend in the Belmont Stakes, they must first conquer the Preakness. The race is held in Baltimore, Maryland, and the tradition of the race was set early in its existence.
Before every Preakness, “Maryland My Maryland” is played. This comes from when the Preakness was renewed as a race back in 1909. A bugle player started playing the Maryland state song because he was caught up in the excitement of the moment. He was joined by the rest of the band at the track, and people in the stands went wild. Since then, the state song is played every year.
Another of the traditions that the Preakness enjoys is the painting of the weather vane. At the end of the race, and when a winner has been determined, a painter places the colors of the winning owner’s silks on a jockey and horse on the weather vane.
Pimlico Race Course has been the home to the Preakness since that day back in 1909. There have been many memorable horses that have ran on the legendary track. The last of which came back in 1978 when Affirmed ran a breathtaking race on his way to the Triple Crown. Affirmed was the last Triple Crown winner.
The city of Baltimore takes pride in the Preakness and it has become a staple in the city, however, it has run into problems in recent years. The current economic conditions in the US have forced the owners of Pimlico Race Course to file for bankruptcy in March of 2009. No need to worry race fans, the state legislature has approved a plan to buy the track if no other buyer is found. That will ensure that Pimlico will be home to one of the most storied races of all time.
