The big week has arrived, the second jewel of the Triple Crown hosted right here in Charm City. Whether you are attending the race and betting on horses, going to InfieldFest and enjoying the live music, or just wearing a big hat and enjoying a Black Eyed Susan, there are plenty of events throughout the week to get you in the Preakness spirit!
Preakness Frog Hop
May 16, 2012, 12 noon
This favorite annual event held at Patterson Park is celebrating its 46th year! Everyone is invited to cheer on their favorite frogs as they try to top record jumps! Registration starts at 11 am on the day of the Frog Hop, and all frogs (and jockeys) must be registered by 11:45 am. Trophies will be awarded to the first, second, third and fourth place finishers. All participants will receive a ribbon. Info: 410-396-6136, 410-396-9392, or mark.burke@baltimorecity.gov.
22nd Annual Celebrity Crab Derby
May 17, 12 noon
Cheer for your favorite local celebrity as they actually jockey blue crabs to the finish line! The winner takes home a “purse” of $500 to the charity of their choice.
Power Plant Live Preakness Week
Miller Lite Nights Race Week celebration features three nights of live music in celebration of Preakness. On Thursday, May 17, 98 Rock presents a free concert by Buckcherry. Gates open at 9 p.m., with opening acts Redlight King and Foxy Shazam. On Friday, May 18, Mr. Greengenes performs a free concert at 6 p.m. On Saturday, May 19, Power Plant hosts a Preakness Watch Party on its 20-foot outdoor LED screen. The post-race party features disc jockey Steve Aoki as part of the new Spin Cycle series.
Sunrise at Old Hilltop
May 16, 17 & 18, 6am-9am
Experience sunrise over Old Hilltop at Pimlico. The 20 minute tours run from 6am – 9am, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Preakness Week. After enjoying sunrise on the Grandstand Apron, you will get an insider’s perspective on racing during an escorted tour of the Preakness Stakes Barn. You never know who you may run into on the backside…trainers, vets, owners, blacksmiths, exercise riders or jockeys. The Barn area is one place you can count on an interesting story! You will have an opportunity to shop for Preakness Souvenirs, stop by the Pimlico Museum and maybe even peek into the jockey’s quarters, then head back outside to watch the horses go through their morning workouts. The tour guides bring with them a wealth of experience and add a personal touch that can’t be beat!
Reservations are not taken, tours are on a first come, first serve basis. For more information email Diana Harbaugh at dharbaugh@marylandracing.com.
Jockey Autograph Session
Friday, May 18, 2012, 10am-11am
Meet your favorite jockey and get their autograph!
Featuring the Challenge and Legend riders; Mary Wiley-Wagner, Patti “PJ” Cooksey, Jennifer Rowland-Small, Mary Russ-Tortora, Barbara Jo Rubin, Cheryl White, Zoe Cadman, Jill Jellison, Emma-Jane Wilson, Forest Boyce, Vicky Baze, Rosie Napravnik, Rosemary Homeister, Greta Kuntzweiler, Abby Fuller and Tammi Piermari
Black-Eyed Susan Day
Friday, May 18, 2012, gates open at 9:30am
Black-Eyed Susan Day One of Pimlico’s oldest stakes races, the Black-Eyed Susan was first run at Pimlico in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks; but the name was later changed in 1952 to compliment the Preakness and to acknowledge the Maryland state flower. The mile and one-eighth test for three-year-old fillies is traditionally run the Friday before the Preakness. The race was first graded in 1973 and has been a Grade II event since 1976. Among the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winners are classic fillies as Rachel Alexandra and Nellie Morse, who were the only fillies ever to also take the Preakness; Gallorette; High Voltage; Caesar’s Wish and Wide Country.
People’s Pink Party — Black-Eyed Susan Day
Friday May 18, 2012 at 9:30 AM
Celebrate the People’s Pink Party on Black-Eyed Susan Day, featuring the 88th running of the Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year old fillies. The Maryland Jockey Club is proud to partner with the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Witness history in the making with the return of legendary, retired female riders, the Legends for the CureTM, and much more! Join the People’s Pink Party on Preakness Eve to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. For tickets and information, please visit www.preakness.com or www.komenmd.org or call (410) 542.9400. *Now thru May 18th, the Maryland Jockey Club will donate a portion of each ticket sold to the Turfside Terrace on Black-Eyed Susan Day to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Maryland, for an all source minimum guarantee of $25,000. Turfside Terrace fans will be treated to a Mediterranean buffet and a live performance by Edens Edge with host Lauri DeYoung of WPOC 93.1.
Koopers Tavern Triple Crown Happy Hour
Saturday, May 19, 2012, 1pm-5pm
Enjoy Black Eyed Susan drinks for $6, Maryland Crabcake sliders, raffles, games and more!
137th Running of the Preakness Stakes
Saturday May 19, 2012
One of the nation’s largest, single-day, annual sporting events! Once again Baltimore’s Old Hilltop comes alive with the running of the 137th Preakness Stakes, where the finest three-year old thoroughbreds will compete for $1 million in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
InfieldFest 2012 features performances by Grammy Award winners Maroon 5 and multi-platinum rapper Wiz Khalifa! The Beer Garden Jägermeister Stage welcomes regional favorites, Mr. Greengenes, Nashville-based country band, Little Big Town, and British rockers, The Darkness.
