Preakness Stakes facts for kids
| Grade I race | |
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"The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown"
"The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" |
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| Location | Pimlico Race Course Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | May 27, 1873 (152 years ago) |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+3⁄16 miles (9.5 furlongs; 1.9 km) |
| Record | 1:53.0, Secretariat (1973) more |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | 3-year-old |
| Weight | Colt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg) Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg) |
| Purse | US$2 million (2024) 1st: $1.2 million |
The Preakness Stakes is a famous American thoroughbred horse race. It happens every year on the third Saturday in May. This exciting event takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. However, in 2026, it will temporarily move to Laurel Park while Pimlico is being rebuilt.
The Preakness Stakes is a top-level race, known as a Grade I. Horses run about 1.9 kilometers (1 and 3/16 miles) on a dirt track. Male horses (colts and geldings) carry 126 pounds, while female horses (fillies) carry 121 pounds.
This race is the second part of the special Triple Crown. It happens two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.
The Preakness Stakes first took place in 1873. It was named by a former Maryland governor after a horse that won an earlier race at Pimlico. The "Preakness Weekend" also includes the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday, which is a race just for fillies. The Preakness Stakes is the second most attended horse racing event in North America, right after the Kentucky Derby.
The 150th Preakness Stakes was held on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Contents
History of the Preakness Race
The Preakness race started in 1873. This was two years before the Kentucky Derby began. Maryland Governor Oden Bowie named the race after a horse called Preakness. This horse won a race at Pimlico when the track first opened in 1870.
The name "Preakness" comes from a Native American word, Pra-qua-les. It means "Quail Woods." When the horse Preakness won, its jockey, Billy Hayward, untied a bag of gold coins. This bag hung from a wire across the finish line. Some say this is how the idea of a "wire" at the finish line and "purse" money (prize money) began. However, the term "purse" for prize money was already used for a long time.
The very first Preakness race had seven horses. A horse named Survivor won easily by 10 lengths. This was the biggest winning margin until 2004, when Smarty Jones won by 11 and a half lengths.
Over the years, the Preakness Stakes moved around. In 1890, it was held in New York. Then, for three years, there was no race. From 1894 to 1908, it took place at Gravesend Race Track in New York. Finally, in 1909, the race returned to its home at Pimlico.
Sometimes, the Preakness Stakes was run as a "handicap" race. This means that more successful horses had to carry more weight. This happened seven times, mostly between 1910 and 1915. During those years, it was called the Preakness Handicap.
In 2009, there was a chance the race might move again because the company owning Pimlico had financial problems. But the Maryland government stepped in to help keep the race at Pimlico.
In 2019, an agreement was made to keep the Preakness at Pimlico permanently. The plan included rebuilding the grandstand. In 2020, the Maryland state government approved $375 million for renovations at Pimlico and another track.
The 145th Preakness Stakes was held on October 3, 2020. This was later than usual because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For safety, no spectators were allowed to watch the race that year.
In April 2024, a new plan was approved to rebuild Pimlico. Because of this, the Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park in 2026. It is expected to return to the newly rebuilt Pimlico in 2027.
The Triple Crown Series
The Preakness is the second part of horse racing's Triple Crown series. The winner of the Kentucky Derby often competes in the Preakness. Other horses from the Derby, and sometimes new horses, also join the race.
The Preakness is 1 and 3/16 miles long. The Kentucky Derby is a bit longer at 1 and 1/4 miles. The final race, the Belmont Stakes, is the longest at 1 and 1/2 miles.
Since 1932, the order of the Triple Crown races has been the Kentucky Derby, then the Preakness Stakes, and finally the Belmont Stakes. Before 1932, the Preakness was sometimes run before the Derby. On two occasions, in 1917 and 1922, both races were even held on the same day!
The Preakness is usually run on the third Saturday in May. This is two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. So, the race is always between May 15 and May 21. The only exception was in 2020, when it was held in October due to the pandemic.
Fun Traditions of the Race
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After the Preakness winner is officially announced, a painter climbs a ladder. They paint the colors of the winning owner's silks onto a weather vane. This weather vane has a jockey and horse on top. It sits on a replica of the old clubhouse in the infield. This tradition started in 1909.
Another tradition is placing a blanket of yellow flowers around the winning horse's neck. These flowers are painted with black centers to look like black-eyed Susans. Black-eyed Susans are Maryland's state flower. However, real black-eyed Susans don't bloom until late June or July. So, yellow chrysanthemums are used instead and painted to look like them.
The winning horse's owner also receives a replica of the Woodlawn Vase. The original Woodlawn Vase is a very old and valuable trophy. It is kept at the Baltimore Museum of Art and brought to the race each year under guard.
If a horse wins both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, everyone gets excited! They wonder if that horse will go on to win the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes.
Winning the Race
In 1918, 26 horses entered the Preakness. Because there were so many, the race was run in two parts, and two winners were declared that year. Today, the race is limited to 14 horses.
The Preakness was first shown on TV by CBS in 1948.
The race has been run at seven different distances over its history:
- 1 and 1/2 miles (2.41 km): 1873–1888, 1890
- 1 and 1/4 miles (2.01 km): 1889
- 1 and 1/16 miles (1.71 km): 1894–1900, 1908
- 1 mile 70 yards (1.67 km): 1901–1907
- 1 mile (1.61 km): 1909, 1910
- 1 and 1/8 miles (1.81 km): 1911–1924
- 1 and 3/16 miles (1.91 km): 1925–present
Prize Money
When the Preakness Stakes first started in 1873, the prize money was $1,000. It grew over time. In 1919, it jumped to $25,000. By 1946, it was $100,000, and in 1959, it reached $150,000.
The prize money continued to increase. From 1979 to 1989, it went from $200,000 to $500,000. In 1997, it became $1 million. For the 2014 race, the prize money was raised to $1.5 million. In 2024 and 2025, the total prize money was $2 million.
InfieldFest and Race Day Fun
The Preakness Stakes is known for its lively atmosphere, especially in the infield area. For many years, people could bring their own drinks. However, this policy changed in 2009.
In 2010, the Maryland Jockey Club started a new event called "InfieldFest." This event features live music performances. They also introduced the "Mug Club," where people could buy a special mug for unlimited drink refills. These changes helped bring more people back to the race.
Besides InfieldFest, the Preakness is also famous for the fancy hats worn by spectators. There's also an official drink called the Black-Eyed Susan. It's made with vodka, a special elderflower liqueur, and pineapple, lime, and orange juices.
Race Records
The fastest time for the Preakness Stakes is held by Secretariat. He ran the 1 and 3/16 miles in just 1 minute and 53 seconds in 1973. This is the official record for all three Triple Crown races.
Other records at different distances:
- 2:36.75, Montague (1890, 1 and 1/2 miles)
- 2:17.50, Buddhist (1889, 1 and 1/4 miles)
- 1:46.40, Royal Tourist (1908, 1 and 1/16 miles)
- 1:44.20, Bryn Mawr (1904, 1 mile 70 yards)
- 1:39.80, Effendi (1909, 1 mile)
- 1:51, Watervale (1911, 1 and 1/8 miles)
The biggest winning margin was 11 and a half lengths by Smarty Jones in 2004.
Some people have won the Preakness many times:
- Most wins by a jockey: 6 – Eddie Arcaro (1941, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957)
- Most wins by a trainer: 8 – Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2023)
- Most wins by an owner: 7 – Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1956, 1958, 1968, 2013)
Female Winners (Fillies)
Six female horses, called fillies, have won the Preakness Stakes:
- 2020 – Swiss Skydiver
- 2009 – Rachel Alexandra
- 1924 – Nellie Morse
- 1915 – Rhine Maiden
- 1906 – Whimsical
- 1903 – Flocarline
Past Winners (since 1873)
Triple Crown winners are in bold.
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time* | Purse | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli | Michael W. McCarthy | Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. LaPenta, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.47 | $2,000,000 | |
| 2024 | Seize the Grey | Jaime A. Torres | D. Wayne Lukas | MyRacehorse | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.82 | $2,000,000 | |
| 2023 | National Treasure | John R. Velazquez | Bob Baffert | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Stonestreet Stables LLC, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.12 | $1,650,000 | |
| 2022 | Early Voting | José Ortiz | Chad Brown | Klaravich Stables | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.54 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2021 | Rombauer | Flavien Prat | Michael W. McCarthy | Diane Fradkin & John Fradkin | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.62 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2020 | Swiss Skydiver† | Robby Albarado | Kenneth McPeek | Peter J. Callahan | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.28 | $1,050,000 | |
| 2019 | War of Will | Tyler Gaffalione | Mark E. Casse | Gary Barber | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.34 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | WinStar Farm & China Horse Club | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.93 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2017 | Cloud Computing | Javier Castellano | Chad Brown | Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.98 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2016 | Exaggerator | Kent Desormeaux | J. Keith Desormeaux | Big Chief Racing, Head Of Plains Partners, Rocker O Ranch & J. Keith Desormeaux | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.31 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Zayat Stables, LLC | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.46 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2014 | California Chrome | Victor Espinoza | Art Sherman | Steve Coburn & Perry Martin | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.84 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2013 | Oxbow | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.54 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another | Mario Gutierrez | Doug O'Neill | J. Paul Reddam | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.94 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2011 | Shackleford | Jesus Castanon | Dale Romans | Mike Lauffer & William D. Cubbedge | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.47 | $1,500,000 | |
| 2010 | Lookin At Lucky | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | Michael Pegram | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.47 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2009 | Rachel Alexandra † | Calvin Borel | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stab. & Harold T. McCormick | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.08 | $1,100,000 | |
| 2008 | Big Brown | Kent Desormeaux | Richard Dutrow | IEAH Stables & Paul Pompa | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.86 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2007 | Curlin | Robby Albarado | Steven M. Asmussen | Stonestreet Stables | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.46 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2006 | Bernardini | Javier Castellano | Tom Albertrani | Darley Stables | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.65 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2005 | Afleet Alex | Jeremy Rose | Timothy Ritchey | Cash Is King Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.04 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones | Stewart Elliott | John Servis | Someday Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.59 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2003 | Funny Cide | Jose Santos | Barclay Tagg | Sackatoga Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.61 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2002 | War Emblem | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.40 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2001 | Point Given | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.40 | $1,000,000 | |
| 2000 | Red Bullet | Jerry Bailey | Joe Orseno | Stronach Stables | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.00 | $1,000,000 | |
| 1999 | Charismatic | Chris Antley | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.20 | $1,000,000 | |
| 1998 | Real Quiet | Kent Desormeaux | Bob Baffert | Michael Pegram | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.60 | $1,000,000 | |
| 1997 | Silver Charm | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.80 | $1,000,000 | |
| 1996 | Louis Quatorze | Pat Day | Nick Zito | William J. Condren, A. Cornacchia & Georgia E. Hofmann | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.40 | $800,000 | |
| 1995 | Timber Country | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm, Robert B. Lewis &Gainesway Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.40 | $750,000 | |
| 1994 | Tabasco Cat | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | David P. Reynolds & Overbrook Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.40 | $750,000 | |
| 1993 | Prairie Bayou | Mike Smith | Tom Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.60 | $750,000 | |
| 1992 | Pine Bluff | Chris McCarron | Tom Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.60 | $750,000 | |
| 1991 | Hansel | Jerry Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Lazy Lane Farms | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.00 | $750,000 | |
| 1990 | Summer Squall | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.60 | $750,000 | |
| 1989 | Sunday Silence | Pat Valenzuela | Charles Whittingham | H-G-W Partners | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.80 | $750,000 | |
| 1988 | Risen Star | Ed Delahoussaye | Louie Roussel | Louie Roussel & R. Lamarque | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $700,000 | |
| 1987 | Alysheba | Chris McCarron | Jack Van Berg | Dorothy Scharbauer | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.80 | $700,000 | |
| 1986 | Snow Chief | Alex Solis | Melvin F. Stute | Carl Grinstead | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.80 | $700,000 | |
| 1985 | Tank's Prospect | Pat Day | D. Wayne Lukas | Eugene V. Klein | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.40 | $700,000 | |
| 1984 | Gate Dancer | Angel Cordero | Jack Van Berg | Kenneth Opstein | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.60 | $400,000 | |
| 1983 | Deputed Testamony | Donnie Miller Jr. | J. William Boniface | Bonita Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.40 | $400,000 | |
| 1982 | Aloma's Ruler | Jack Kaenel | John J. Lenzini Jr. | Nathan Scherr | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.40 | $350,000 | |
| 1981 | Pleasant Colony | Jorge Velásquez | John P. Campo | Buckland Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.60 | $350,000 | |
| 1980 | Codex | Angel Cordero | D. Wayne Lukas | Tartan Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.20 | $300,000 | |
| 1979 | Spectacular Bid | Ronnie Franklin | Bud Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.20 | $300,000 | |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Steve Cauthen | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.40 | $250,000 | |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet | Bill Turner | Karen L. Taylor | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.40 | $250,000 | |
| 1976 | Elocutionist | John Lively | Paul T. Adwell | Eugene C. Cashman | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.00 | $250,000 | |
| 1975 | Master Derby | Darrel McHargue | Smiley Adams | Golden Chance Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.40 | $250,000 | |
| 1974 | Little Current | Miguel A. Rivera | Lou Rondinello | Darby Dan Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.60 | $250,000 | |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:53.00 | $250,000 | |
| 1972 | Bee Bee Bee | Eldon Nelson | Del W. Carroll | William S. Farish III | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.60 | $250,000 | |
| 1971 | Canonero II | Gustavo Ávila | Juan Arias | Edgar Caibett | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.00 | $250,000 | |
| 1970 | Personality | Eddie Belmonte | John W. Jacobs | Ethel D. Jacobs | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $200,000 | |
| 1969 | Majestic Prince | Bill Hartack | Johnny Longden | Frank M. McMahon | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.60 | $200,000 | |
| 1968 | Forward Pass | Ismael Valenzuela | Henry Forrest | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.80 | $200,000 | |
| 1967 | Damascus | Bill Shoemaker | Frank Whiteley | Edith W. Bancroft | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.20 | $200,000 | |
| 1966 | Kauai King | Don Brumfield | Henry Forrest | Ford Stable (Mike Ford) | 1+3⁄16 | 1:55.40 | $200,000 | |
| 1965 | Tom Rolfe | Ron Turcotte | Frank Whiteley | Powhatan Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $200,000 | |
| 1964 | Northern Dancer | Bill Hartack | Horatio Luro | Windfields Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.80 | $200,000 | |
| 1963 | Candy Spots | Bill Shoemaker | Mesh Tenney | Rex C. Ellsworth | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $200,000 | |
| 1962 | Greek Money | John L. Rotz | Virgil W. Raines | Brandywine Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $200,000 | |
| 1961 | Carry Back | Johnny Sellers | Jack A. Price | Katherine Price | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.60 | $200,000 | |
| 1960 | Bally Ache | Bobby Ussery | Jimmy Pitt | Turfland | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.60 | $250,000 | |
| 1959 | Royal Orbit | William Harmatz | Reggie Cornell | Halina Gregory Braunstein | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.00 | $250,000 | |
| 1958 | Tim Tam | Ismael Valenzuela | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.20 | $165,000 | |
| 1957 | Bold Ruler | Eddie Arcaro | Jim Fitzsimmons | Wheatley Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.20 | $110,000 | |
| 1956 | Fabius | Bill Hartack | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.40 | $150,000 | |
| 1955 | Nashua | Eddie Arcaro | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 1+3⁄16 | 1:54.60 | $110,000 | |
| 1954 | Hasty Road | John H. Adams | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.40 | $150,000 | |
| 1953 | Native Dancer | Eric Guerin | Bill Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt II | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.80 | $110,000 | |
| 1952 | Blue Man | Conn McCreary | Woody Stephens | White Oak Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.40 | $150,000 | |
| 1951 | Bold | Eddie Arcaro | Preston M. Burch | Brookmeade Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.40 | $150,000 | |
| 1950 | Hill Prince | Eddie Arcaro | Casey Hayes | Christopher Chenery | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.20 | $100,000 | |
| 1949 | Capot | Ted Atkinson | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:56.00 | $150,000 | |
| 1948 | Citation | Eddie Arcaro | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 2:02.40 | $160,000 | |
| 1947 | Faultless | Douglas Dodson | Horace A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.00 | $160,000 | |
| 1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 1+3⁄16 | 2:01.40 | $160,000 | |
| 1945 | Polynesian | Wayne D. Wright | Morris H. Dixon | Gertrude T. Widener | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.80 | $110,000 | |
| 1944 | Pensive | Conn McCreary | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.20 | $100,000 | |
| 1943 | Count Fleet | Johnny Longden | Don Cameron | Fannie Hertz | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.40 | $75,000 | |
| 1942 | Alsab | Basil James | Sarge Swenke | Mrs. Albert Sabath | 1+3⁄16 | 1:57.00 | $100,000 | |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.80 | $75,000 | |
| 1940 | Bimelech | Fred A. Smith | William A. Hurley | Edward R. Bradley | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.60 | $75,000 | |
| 1939 | Challedon | George Seabo | Louis Schaefer | William L. Brann | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.80 | $75,000 | |
| 1938 | Dauber | Maurice Peters | Richard E. Handlen | Foxcatcher Farms | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.80 | $75,000 | |
| 1937 | War Admiral | Charley Kurtsinger | George Conway | Glen Riddle Farm | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.40 | $75,000 | |
| 1936 | Bold Venture | George Woolf | Max Hirsch | Morton L. Schwartz | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.00 | $50,000 | |
| 1935 | Omaha | Willie Saunders | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.40 | $50,000 | |
| 1934 | High Quest | Robert Jones | Robert Augustus Smith | Brookmeade Stable | 1+3⁄16 | 1:58.20 | $50,000 | |
| 1933 | Head Play | Charley Kurtsinger | Thomas P. Hayes | Suzanne Mason | 1+3⁄16 | 2:02.00 | $50,000 | |
| 1932 | Burgoo King | Eugene James | H. J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.80 | $90,000 | |
| 1931 | Mate | George Ellis | James W. Healy | Albert C. Bostwick Jr. | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.00 | $90,000 | |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sande | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 1+3⁄16 | 2:00.60 | $90,000 | |
| 1929 | Dr. Freeland | Louis Schaefer | Thomas J. Healey | Walter J. Salmon Sr. | 1+3⁄16 | 2:01.60 | $90,000 | |
| 1928 | Victorian | Raymond Workman | James G. Rowe Jr. | Harry P. Whitney | 1+3⁄16 | 2:00.20 | $90,000 | |
| 1927 | Bostonian | Whitey Abel | Fred Hopkins | Harry P. Whitney | 1+3⁄16 | 2:01.60 | $100,000 | |
| 1926 | Display | John Maiben | Thomas J. Healey | Walter J. Salmon Sr. | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.80 | $90,000 | |
| 1925 | Coventry | Clarence Kummer | William B. Duke | Gifford A. Cochran | 1+3⁄16 | 1:59.00 | $90,000 | |
| 1924 | Nellie Morse † | John Merimee | Albert B. Gordon | Bud Fisher | 1+1⁄8 | 1:57.20 | $90,000 | |
| 1923 | Vigil | Benny Marinelli | Thomas J. Healey | Walter J. Salmon Sr. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.60 | $90,000 | |
| 1922 | Pillory | Louis Morris | Thomas J. Healey | Richard T. Wilson Jr. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.60 | $90,000 | |
| 1921 | Broomspun | Frank Coltiletti | James G. Rowe Sr. | Harry P. Whitney | 1+1⁄8 | 1:54.20 | $75,000 | |
| 1920 | Man o' War | Clarence Kummer | Louis Feustel | Glen Riddle Farm | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.60 | $40,000 | |
| 1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus | H. Guy Bedwell | J. K. L. Ross | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.00 | $40,000 | |
| 1918 | War Cloud | Johnny Loftus | Walter B. Jennings | A. Kingsley Macomber | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.60 | $20,000 | |
| 1918 | Jack Hare Jr. | Charles Peak | Frank D. Weir | William E. Applegate | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.40 | $20,000 | |
| 1917 | Kalitan | Everett Haynes | Bill Hurley | Edward R. Bradley | 1+1⁄8 | 1:54.40 | $7,500 | |
| 1916 | Damrosch | Linus McAtee | Albert G. Weston | J. K. L. Ross | 1+1⁄8 | 1:54.80 | $2,000 | |
| 1915 | Rhine Maiden † | Douglas Hoffman | Frank Devers | Edward F. Whitney | 1+1⁄8 | 1:58.00 | $2,000 | |
| 1914 | Holiday | Andy Schuttinger | J. Simon Healy | Mrs. Archibald Barklie | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.80 | $2,000 | |
| 1913 | Buskin | James Butwell | John Whalen | John Whalen | 1+1⁄8 | 1:53.40 | $3,000 | |
| 1912 | Colonel Holloway | Clarence Turner | Dave Woodford | Beverwyck Stable | 1+1⁄8 | 1:56.60 | $2,500 | |
| 1911 | Watervale | Eddie Dugan | John Whalen | August Belmont Jr. | 1+1⁄8 | 1:51.00 | $4,500 | |
| 1910 | Layminster | Roy Estep | J. Simon Healy | Edward B. Cassatt | 1 mile | 1:40.60 | $5,500 | |
| 1909 | Effendi | Willie Doyle | Frank C. Frisbie | W. T. Ryan | 1 mile | 1:39.80 | $5,500 | |
| 1908 | Royal Tourist | Eddie Dugan | A. Jack Joyner | Harry P. Whitney | 1+1⁄16 | 1:46.40 | $4,000 | |
| 1907 | Don Enrique | George Mountain | A. Jack Joyner | August Belmont Jr. | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:45.40 | $3,800 | |
| 1906 | Whimsical † | Walter Miller | Tim J. Gaynor | Tim J. Gaynor | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:45.00 | $3,800 | |
| 1905 | Cairngorm | Willie Davis | A. Jack Joyner | Sydney Paget | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:45.80 | $3,600 | |
| 1904 | Bryn Mawr | Gene Hildebrand | W. Fred Presgrave | Goughacres Stable | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:44.20 | $3,800 | |
| 1903 | Flocarline † | William Gannon | Henry C. Riddle | Myron H. Tichenor | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:44.80 | $3,000 | |
| 1902 | Old England | Lee Jackson | Green B. Morris | Green B. Morris | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:45.80 | $3,750 | |
| 1901 | The Parader | Frank Landry | Thomas J. Healey | Richard T. Wilson Jr. | 1 mile 70 yards | 1:47.20 | $2,650 | |
| 1900 | Hindus | Henry Spencer | John H. Morris | George J. Long | 1+1⁄16 | 1:48.40 | $3,000 | |
| 1899 | Half Time | Richard Clawson | Frank McCabe | Philip J. Dwyer | 1+1⁄16 | 1:47.00 | $2,500 | |
| 1898 | Sly Fox | Willie Simms | Hardy Campbell Jr. | Charles F. Dwyer | 1+1⁄16 | 1:49.75 | $2,400 | |
| 1897 | Paul Kauvar | T. Thorpe | Thomas P. Hayes | Thomas P. Hayes | 1+1⁄16 | 1:51.25 | $2,400 | |
| 1896 | Margrave | Henry Griffin | Byron McClelland | August Belmont Jr. | 1+1⁄16 | 1:51.00 | $2,250 | |
| 1895 | Belmar | Fred Taral | Edward Feakes | Preakness Stables | 1+1⁄16 | 1:50.50 | $2,250 | |
| 1894 | Assignee | Fred Taral | William Lakeland | James R. Keene & Foxhall P. Keene | 1+1⁄16 | 1:49.25 | $3,000 | |
| 1893 | no race held | |||||||
| 1892 | no race held | |||||||
| 1891 | no race held | |||||||
| 1890 | Montague | Willie Martin | Edward Feakes | Preakness Stables | 1+1⁄2 | 2:36.75 | $2,000 | |
| 1889 | Buddhist | George Anderson | John W. Rogers | Samuel S. Brown | 1+1⁄4 | 2:17.50 | $2,000 | |
| 1888 | Refund | Fred Littlefield | R. W. Walden | R. Wyndham Walden | 1+1⁄2 | 2:49.00 | $2,000 | |
| 1887 | Dunboyne | William Donohue | William Jennings Sr. | William Jennings Sr. | 1+1⁄2 | 2:39.50 | $2,500 | |
| 1886 | The Bard | Sam H. Fisher | John Huggins | Alexander J. Cassatt | 1+1⁄2 | 2:45.00 | $3,000 | |
| 1885 | Tecumseh | Jim McLaughlin | Charles S. Littlefield | W. Donohue | 1+1⁄2 | 2:49.00 | $3,000 | |
| 1884 | Knight of Ellerslie | Sam H. Fisher | Thomas Doswell | Richard J. Hancock & Thomas Doswell | 1+1⁄2 | 2:39.50 | $3,000 | |
| 1883 | Jacobus | George Barbee | Richard Dwyer | James E. Kelley | 1+1⁄2 | 2:42.50 | $2,500 | |
| 1882 | Vanguard | Tom Costello | R. W. Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1+1⁄2 | 2:44.50 | $2,000 | |
| 1881 | Saunterer | Tom Costello | R. W. Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1+1⁄2 | 2:40.50 | $3,000 | |
| 1880 | Grenada | Lloyd Hughes | R. W. Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1+1⁄2 | 2:40.50 | $3,000 | |
| 1879 | Harold | Lloyd Hughes | R. W. Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1+1⁄2 | 2:40.50 | $4,000 | |
| 1878 | Duke of Magenta | Cyrus Holloway | R. W. Walden | George L. Lorillard | 1+1⁄2 | 2:41.75 | $3,500 | |
| 1877 | Cloverbrook | Cyrus Holloway | Jeter Walden | Edward A. Clabaugh | 1+1⁄2 | 2:45.50 | $2,500 | |
| 1876 | Shirley | George Barbee | William Brown | Pierre Lorillard IV | 1+1⁄2 | 2:44.75 | $3,000 | |
| 1875 | Tom Ochiltree | Lloyd Hughes | R. W. Walden | John F. Chamberlain | 1+1⁄2 | 2:43.50 | $3,000 | |
| 1874 | Culpepper | William Donohue | Hugh Gaffney | Hugh Gaffney | 1+1⁄2 | 2:56.50 | $3,000 | |
| 1873 | Survivor | George Barbee | A. Davis Pryor | John F. Chamberlain | 1+1⁄2 | 2:43.00 | $3,000 | |
- Notes:
- Times were recorded differently over the years. From 1873 to 1899, they were timed to the quarter-second. From 1900 to 2002, to the fifth of a second. Since 2003, they are timed to 0.01 second.
- All winners have been three years old, except Montague in 1890, who was five years old.
A † means the winner was a filly (female horse).
§ D. Wayne Lukas won the 1995 Triple Crown with two different horses.
Horse Families and Winning Lines
In horse racing, horses are often bred based on their family lines. This is because successful horses often come from successful parents and grandparents. All Preakness Stakes winners can be traced back to three very old and important male horses, called "foundational sires."
The Darley Arabian is an ancestor to 131 winners, including all winners since 1938. The Byerley Turk is an ancestor to 13 winners, and the Godolphin Arabian is an ancestor to 7 winners.
The family line of a horse named Mr Prospector has produced the last 5 Preakness Stakes winners! This shows how important good breeding is in horse racing.
Some Preakness Stakes winners have also had sons or grandsons who later won the race:
- Polynesian (1945 winner) – 27 winners from his male line, including Journalism (2025)
- Native Dancer (1953 winner) – 26 winners from his male line, including Journalism (2025)
- Northern Dancer (1964 winner) – 12 winners from his male line, including War of Will (2019)
- Bold Ruler (1957 winner) – 7 winners from his male line, including California Chrome (2014)
- Seattle Slew (1977 winner) – 2 winners from his male line, including California Chrome (2014)
- Gallant Fox (1930 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Omaha (1935)
- Man o' War (1920 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, War Admiral (1937)
- Bold Venture (1936 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Assault (1946)
- Citation (1948 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Fabius (1956)
- Secretariat (1973 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Risen Star (1988)
- Summer Squall (1990 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Charismatic (1999)
- Curlin (2007 winner) – 1 winner from his male line, Exaggerator (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Preakness Stakes para niños
- American thoroughbred racing top attended events
- Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
- Grand Slam of Thoroughbred Racing
- List of Preakness Stakes broadcasters
- Maryland Jockey Club
- Preakness Stakes top four finishers
- Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
- Triple Crown Productions
- Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
