Preakness Stakes 2024: USA’s premier horse racing extravaganza

BALTIMORE: The Preakness Stakes 2024 horse race will be held on Sunday (today) in Baltimore, the state of Maryland within United States (US) to commemorate the Armed Forces Day.

The Preakness Stakes is an annual horse race in the US celebrated on the third Saturday of May every year. It is the second race in the Triple Crown series.

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The Triple Crown series comprises three esteemed horse racing events held in the US: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three races is widely regarded as the ultimate accomplishment in horse racing, earning the victor the prestigious title of “Triple Crown” champion.

This year marks its 149th edition.

The race covers a distance of 1.91 kilometers (9.5 furlongs) on dirt. The Preakness 2024 will witness colts, geldings, and fillies of different weights competing in different categories.

The horse race was established in 1873 and was named after the colt Preakness. Preakness was the winner of the first Dinner Party Stakes at Baltimore.

Over the years, the race has witnessed various changes in location and format. It has been held at different venues. Preakness has also attempted to be more inclusive with handicap conditions during certain periods.

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The race is one of most famous horse races in world. Its attendnance is ranked the second among equestrian events in the US. Preakness’ also attracts high number of online viewership and has a huge fan following.

Despite being second to the Kentucky Derby horse race, Preakness 2024 is famous and popular enough to attract some of the top acts from the former.