Pimlico Race Course: the Legendary Home of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland

Pimlico Race Course: the Legendary Home of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland

Pimlico Race Course, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a historic horse racing track that has been operating since 1870. It is home to the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown, which is run on the third Saturday of May each year.

The Pimlico Race Course was built by the Maryland Jockey Club, which was formed in 1743. The club had been hosting horse racing events for years, but they wanted a permanent venue for their races. They found the perfect location in the Mount Washington area of Baltimore, which was then a rural suburb of the city.

The original Pimlico Race Course consisted of a one-mile dirt track and a grandstand that could accommodate 12,000 spectators. The inaugural race at the new track was held on October 25, 1870, and it was a two-mile race that was won by a horse named Preakness.

The Preakness Stakes, which was first run in 1873, was named in honor of the horse who won the first race at Pimlico. The race quickly became one of the most important horse racing events in the country, and it was soon recognized as the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes.

Over the years, Pimlico Race Course underwent several renovations and improvements. In 1890, a new clubhouse was built, which featured a ballroom, dining room, and other amenities. In 1913, the dirt track was replaced with a new track made of a mixture of sand, clay, and loam, which was considered to be the best racing surface at the time.

One of the most significant events in the history of Pimlico Race Course occurred in 1938, when a horse named Seabiscuit won the Pimlico Special, a race that was held at the track that year to mark the 100th anniversary of the Maryland Jockey Club. Seabiscuit’s victory over War Admiral, who was considered to be the best horse in the country at the time, is still regarded as one of the greatest upsets in horse racing history.

In 1954, the grandstand at Pimlico Race Course was destroyed by a fire, and it had to be rebuilt. The new grandstand, which was completed in 1956, had a capacity of 50,000 spectators, making it one of the largest horse racing venues in the world at the time.

In recent years, Pimlico Race Course has faced challenges, including concerns about its deteriorating infrastructure and declining attendance at its races. There has been debate about whether to renovate the track or to build a new one elsewhere in Maryland.

Despite these challenges, the Preakness Stakes continues to be one of the most important events in horse racing, and Pimlico Race Course remains a beloved and historic venue. Fans of horse racing look forward to the race each year, and the track’s rich history is celebrated by all who visit.