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| Staff Writer |
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Trainers will once again battle for a share of the US$100,000 bonus pool during Preakness weekend, with the lucrative incentive returning for a ninth
The blockbuster May 16-17 festival features 16 stakes races worth a combined US$4.35 million in purses, with handlers running a minimum of five horses across the 15 Thoroughbred contests eligible for the bonus scheme.
The leading trainer will pocket US$50,000, with US$25,000 for second, US$12,000 for third, US$7,000 for fourth, US$4,000 for fifth and US$2,000 for sixth. Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three), with each starter earning one point.
The 150th running of the US$2 million Gr.1 Preakness Stakes, middle jewel of the Triple Crown, headlines the May 17 card with trainers needing a minimum of five starts to qualify for bonus consideration.
Other graded events accompanying the Preakness include the US$250,000 Gr.3 Dinner Party Stakes for 3YOs and up over 1 1/8 miles and US$150,000 Gr.3 Gallorette Stakes for fillies and mares aged three and older at 1 1/16 miles, both on turf.
The US$150,000 Gr.3 Maryland Sprint Stakes for 3YOs and up over six furlongs completes the graded action, while the US$100,000 Gr.1 UAE President Cup for older Arabian horses does not count towards the bonus scheme.
Supporting Preakness day stakes include the US$150,000 Chick Lang for 3YOs, US$125,000 Skipat for fillies and mares three and up (both over six furlongs), and US$100,000 Sir Barton over 1 1/16 miles for 3YO non-winners of an open sweepstakes, all on dirt.
The US$100,000 James W. Murphy for 3YOs over one mile and US$125,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint over five furlongs round out the turf offerings.
Preakness eve features the 101st running of the US$300,000 Gr.2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 3YO fillies over 1 1/8 miles, supported by the historic US$250,000 Gr.3 Pimlico Special for 3YOs and up over 1 3/16 miles and US$150,000 Gr.3 Miss Preakness for 3YO fillies sprinting six furlongs.
Additional Friday stakes include the US$125,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares three and older over 1 1/8 miles on dirt, plus the US$125,000 Hilltop Stakes for 3YO fillies over one mile and US$100,000 The Very One Stakes for fillies and mares three and up sprinting five furlongs, both on turf.
Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen has dominated the competition, claiming the top bonus four times in seven years (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). Cherie DeVaux made history in 2024 as the first female trainer to secure the honours, while Brad Cox (2019), Mike Maker (2020), and Maryland-based Graham Motion (2023) have also claimed the top prize.
A separate US$50,000 bonus pool exists for trainers with the most points in non-stakes races during the weekend, with Brittany Russell taking the top prize in 2024.
Nominations for all stakes except the Preakness close May 6. The post-position draw for the Preakness will be held at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe, Md.