Pimlico Race Track: The Home of the Preakness Stakes

Pimlico Race Track is a thoroughbred racing track in Baltimore, Maryland. Pimlico race track is acknowledged as one of the most venerable and respected tracks in America due to its role as host of one of America’s Triple Crown races – the Preakness Stakes.

Pimlico race track is located in a 140-acre complex within the Baltimore City limits. Pimlico race track is typically open to live racing from March to June; July to August; and from September to October.

Having opened its gates on October 25, 1870, Pimlico race track is the second oldest race track in the nation. The oldest is Saratoga, which opened in 1864. Due to its highly-regarded stature in the industry, Pimlico race track has played host to several great legends in horse racing history. Among the legendary horses who have seen action in Pimlico race track are Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Man O' War, Sir Barton, Citation, Secretariat, Cigar and Silver Charm.

Aside from the Preakness Stakes, Pimlico race track also plays host to some of Maryland’s most important stakes events. Among them are:

• The Maryland Million
• The Rollicking Stakes
• The Challedon Stakes
• The Maryland Juvenile Championship
• The Politely Stakes
• The Frank J. Defrancis Memorial Dash
• The Selima Stakes
• The Charles H. Hadry Stakes
• The Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship
• The Anne Arundel Stakes
• The Laurel Futurity
• The Stefanita Stakes
• The Northern Dancer Stakes
• The H. Steward Mitchell Stakes
• The Toddler Stakes
• The Geisha Handicap
• The Jennings Handicap
• The Squan Song Stakes

History of Pimlico Race Track 

In 1868, an agreement among sportsmen to hold a special race to commemorate a memorable dinner party became the foundation for the construction of Pimlico race track and the holding of the Preakness Stakes.

Maryland Governor Oden Bowie, businessman Milton H. Sanford, and New York’s John Hunter proposed that a two-mile stakes race be held in the fall of 1870 for three-year old colts and fillies to commemorate the dinner. Bowie suggested that a purse of $15,000 be set, and pledged to build a new race track to host it.

Hence, the idea for Pimlico race track was born. Pimlico race track was constructed on 70 acres overlooking the Jones Falls. The land was purchased by the Maryland Jockey Club for $23,500, while the race track was built for $25,000. The name "Pimlico" was derived from the name given the area by English settlers in Colonial times.

In 1870, the first Dinner Party Stakes was run on Pimlico race track's opening day and was won by Sanford's Preakness, one of only two male entrants in the seven horse field. The Dinner Party Stakes would later be run at Pimlico race track as the Dixie Handicap and is the 8th oldest stakes race in America.

Today, Pimlico race track continues to welcome horse racing enthusiasts from all over and is considered one of the most revered institutions in American horse racing.