Staff Writer |
On July 15, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority gathered to discuss plans for the 150th Gr.1 Preakness Stakes, scheduled for May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course.
Held every year on the third Saturday of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, the Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the American Triple Crown and one of the world's most iconic horse races. This Grade One thoroughbred race, also known as the Middle Jewel, is run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs) on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kg), while fillies carry 121 pounds (55 kg). Positioned two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes, the Preakness Stakes plays a crucial role in the American horse racing calendar.
The popular Fasig Tipton Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale typically follows the Preakness Stakes, taking place at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
Originally set for the end of the month, the Monday meeting was rescheduled to allow for a presentation by the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland. This nonprofit foundation, affiliated with the Maryland Sports Commission, focuses on event incubation, production, and leadership in Maryland's sports sector.
In collaboration with the MTROA, the organisation is forming a public-private partnership group and leadership committee to plan and execute celebratory events surrounding the 150th Preakness.
"Baltimoreans, Marylanders, and our visitors can participate in, witness, and enjoy activities each year in celebration of the history, longevity, and culture derived around the Preakness on an annual basis," said the Corporation's president, Terrance Hasseltine.
Hasseltine stated that the ultimate objective is to create a sustainable model akin to the Derby Festival in Louisville, Kentucky, which hosts numerous celebratory events throughout April leading up to the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby. A 2011 study by the University of Louisville's MBA program estimated the Derby Festival's annual economic impact at approximately US$127.9 million, according to the festival's website.
The Pimlico facility and the race's popularity have waned in recent years.
"In the past, there have been Preakness festivals which have built up to the Preakness and promoted the Preakness as a larger civic event," said MTROA's chairman, Greg Cross. "Over the past several years, those have sort of waned. I personally want to see that reinvigorated as we start operating the Preakness in the new facility."
On July 1, the MTROA assumed ownership of the Pimlico facility from The Stronach Group. Starting January 1, the state will also oversee all regular racing and training operations at the venue. Despite this change, Cross emphasised that The Stronach Group will retain the rights to the Preakness Stakes through the 2026 race.
"We have no economic stake in the Preakness next year," Cross said, "but the community and the state of Maryland have an enormous stake in it and we always want it to be successful.
"They have the race and we're trying to promote it to help them. We'll do that with them, but this is our effort to promote around it."
Hasseltine referred to the budget for the Preakness 150 project as a “moving target” as they work to identify viable activities, assess their feasibility within the Maryland budget, and explore potential private-sector funding.
Hasseltine shared that the festival will feature a major “anchor” event to celebrate the Preakness, which is expected to be a high-profile concert. Negotiations are already in progress with the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles for a “mega concert” to be held at one of their stadiums.
This main event will be complemented by a series of activities throughout the week, including fireworks displays, drone shows, balloon glows, and more.
"We're taking some of the existing events that have occurred in the past and re-engaging them and rekindling them and bringing them to the forefront to create a week celebration leading into Preakness 150," said Hasseltine. "Just build up the energy and momentum.
"Those (discussions) are ongoing until we can figure out what's truly happening in the construction and development of the complex."
Construction on a new Pimlico Race Course is scheduled to commence this fall, with all racing and training activities set to stop at the Baltimore track on September 1.
Initially, plans included demolishing the grandstand and all but three of the barns before the 2025 Preakness. However, Cross revealed on Monday that the grandstand will now remain in place for an additional year.
"It was actually increasing the cost and not going to save us any time and further complicate things," Cross said. "We're going to tear that down after the Preakness. ... It doesn't delay the timeline, it just is a way to save us some money and make it more efficient."
The grandstand at Pimlico Race Course is slated for demolition after the 2025 Preakness Stakes. The 2026 Preakness will be held at Laurel Park while construction continues at Pimlico, with the historic track expected to reopen in time for the 2027 edition of the race.
"The hope would be, if (the festival) is successful, it will provide a template for us moving forward," Cross said. "When we get to 2027, we're in the best possible position to reinvigorate the Preakness Festival."
The MTROA board has given its backing to the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland’s Preakness 150 initiative, anticipating a detailed development plan within the next 60 days that will outline interested stakeholders and conceptual strategies.
Yolanda Jiggetts, CEO of Park Heights Renaissance, shared her enthusiasm for the project. Her nonprofit, which focuses on empowering neighborhoods around Pimlico, launched a community festival three years ago with a similar vision.
"We're here to help," Jiggetts said. "This sounds like it totally complements what we're doing already."
"Part of this process is to ensure that we're engaging with community leaders who are already doing some stuff and how do we interconnect those things to make sure they're part of that bigger delivery of the entire asset that is the Preakness celebration," Hasseltine said.