Pimlico Picks, Entries and Results

Pimlico Track Details

Address: 5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215

Website: www.pimlico.com

Meeting:  Pimlico has had its racing dates eroded down to just two and a half weeks in mid-May, when it holds the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the American Triple Crown. The Grade 1, $1.5 million Preakness held its 144th running in 2019, which was won by War of Will. Preakness Day also features the Grade 2, $250,000 Dixie, the Grade 3, $200,000 Chick Lang, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Gallorette, as well as a few other listed stakes races. Nearly rivaling Preakness Saturday in popularity is Black Eyed Susan Day, which takes place one day prior. That day is led by the Grade 2, $250,000 Black Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies, and also includes the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special, which at one time was one of the country’s premier dirt races for older horses. Pimlico conducts racing on both dirt and turf.

History:  A historic track now teetering on the brink of closure, Pimlico, also known as “Old Hilltop,” officially opened in the fall of 1870 within the city limits of Baltimore, Maryland. The track’s name is derived from the 1660’s when English settlers named the area the track is situated on after Olde Ben Pimlico’s Tavern in London. During its first season of racing, the colt Preakness won the Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico. Three years later, a race was named in his honor, which is now Pimlico’s biggest race and the second leg of the American Triple Crown. The track is also famous for being the site of the match race between Seabiscuit and War Admiral in 1938, which was immortalized in the movie Seabiscuit. In June 2011, The Stronach Group took control of Pimlico when MI Development bought out Penn National’s stake in the Maryland Jockey Club. In recent years, the track has been under continual threat of having its doors shut, with the Preakness being moved to Laurel Park instead. For now, it remains a fading landmark in the sport.

Facilities:  For Preakness Day and Black Eyed Susan Day, Pimlico opens up the infield, and reaches a capacity of over 120,000 people. There are also temporary suites put up on those days, in addition to the regular seating in the grandstand and clubhouse. There are a multitude of dining options at the track, including a terrace that overlooks the track and several bars to choose from.