Title: The Rich History and Tradition of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course

The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, was first run on May 23, 1873. This iconic event takes place annually on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, with this year’s race scheduled for May 17.

Held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes, the Preakness Stakes draws national attention to Baltimore County and showcases top contenders on their Triple Crown journey.

Pimlico Race Course, the historic home of the Preakness, opened its gates on October 25, 1870, making it the second oldest racetrack in the United States, behind only Saratoga. Built on 70 acres west of Jones Falls, the Maryland Jockey Club purchased the land for $23,500 and constructed the track for $25,000.

The name “Pimlico” dates back to colonial times, inspired by English settlers who named the area after a famous London landmark, “Olde Ben Pimlico’s Tavern.” Early documents even recorded the name as “Pemblicoe” on the original 1669 land charter.

Pimlico Race Course earned the nickname “Old Hilltop” thanks to a small rise in the infield that became a popular gathering spot for trainers and racing fans to get an up-close view of the horses and cheer on their favorites. The infield quickly evolved into a social hub, where horse-drawn carriages—four-in-hands, tandems, spikes, and more—lined the grounds, and well-dressed guests enjoyed champagne lunches between races. That lively spirit lives on today in the Preakness Corporate Village, where more than 5,000 guests from major Mid-Atlantic companies gather for a modern take on the traditional garden party. In total, over 60,000 fans pack the infield each year to celebrate Preakness Day. The original “hill” that gave Old Hilltop its name was removed in April 1938, as it blocked sightlines to the backstretch—particularly problematic as film and television began capturing races.

Though flat racing at Pimlico paused from 1889 to 1904—with the Preakness and Dixie Stakes temporarily moved to other tracks—steeplechase events kept the spirit of racing alive in Maryland. When Pimlico resumed full operations in 1904, many steeplechase devotees even joined the Maryland Jockey Club.

Pimlico’s resilience was further tested during the national anti-gambling wave of 1910, which shut down racing in most states. Only Maryland and Kentucky remained as strongholds for the sport. In the years that followed, Pimlico entered a new era of innovation, becoming the first racetrack in the country to use an electric starting gate.

Today, Pimlico welcomes racegoers arriving by car, limousine, and even helicopter—just as warmly as it did more than 130 years ago when visitors arrived in horse-drawn carriages. One of the track’s most storied moments occurred in 1877, when the U.S. House of Representatives adjourned for the only time in its history to attend a race. The event, featuring Parole, Ten Broeck, and Tom Ochiltree, became known as “The Great Race.” A depiction of its dramatic finish still adorns the Pimlico clubhouse, a proud reminder that legends are made here.

“Pimlico is more than a dirt track bounded by four streets. It is an accepted American institution, devoted to the best interests of a great sport, graced by time, respected for its honorable past.” – Alfred G. Vanderbilt, former president of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Visit Pimlico Race Course for more information and history.