Pimlico Race Course outside of downtown Baltimore hosts the Preakness Stakes every year on the third Saturday in May. The Preakness Stakes is often overlooked because it is the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, yet it is equally important as the other two Triple Crown races: the first leg at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, and the last leg at the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.

A horse cannot win the Triple Crown unless it wins all three legs, making this not just a local event but a pivotal moment in horse racing history.

Of the three races, the Preakness is known for being the party race. Attendees can expect to see antics in the infield, making it a vibrant local event. Additionally, the Preakness is easy to access, generally more affordable than the other two legs of the Triple Crown, and offers a fantastic option for an enjoyable Saturday, especially when the weather is pleasant.

Tickets to the Race

Everyone is familiar with the lively atmosphere of the legendary Preakness infield, enhanced by musical acts. Tickets are sold online, with prices beginning to rise as early as October, nearly doubling by the time May arrives. Therefore, purchasing tickets as soon as possible is advantageous.

However, it’s important to note that the party atmosphere is not quite what it used to be. Additionally, you will have limited visibility of the actual race from the infield.

Infield tickets are the only ones available for purchase at the track on race day, so plan accordingly if you have other preferences. The Mug Club, located within the infield, offers an all-you-can-drink beer option, though these tickets sell out quickly and are pricier than regular infield tickets.

Tickets for seated areas go on sale in October of the year preceding the race. To access better seating options, you usually need to purchase a ticket package that includes both Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan race and the Preakness. The most premium ticket packages can exceed several hundred dollars, but more affordable reserved seating options are available. If you are okay with a less guaranteed seating arrangement, entry to the grandstand is available for under $50. Reserved seating tickets to the Preakness can be purchased through TicketFly.com.

If you miss out on tickets from the primary market, exploring the secondary market is a viable option. Vivid Seats is the official secondary ticket provider for the Preakness Stakes. Other popular platforms include Stubhub, and ticket aggregators like SeatGeek and ‎TiqIQ. However, looking here is mostly worthwhile if you seek specific seats, as tickets often remain available in the primary market until race day.

Pimlico Antics

In the past, it was common to see outrageous behavior, such as throwing beer cans. However, the track has tightened security policies regarding items that can be brought into the racetrack, including coolers and beverages. Although drinking persists, it is now more controlled by the venue, eliminating the chaos.

Upon arriving at the track, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the lay of the land. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the first race kicking off at 10:30 a.m. Due to the grandstand’s seating arrangements, access to the rail is limited, so you will need to explore around the grandstand to see the jockeys mount their horses in the paddock area. If you opt for general admission in the infield, re-entry from that area is typically not permitted.

The limitations on what you can bring to Pimlico Race Course shouldn’t detract from a great experience at the event. The infield transforms into a non-stop celebration with a younger crowd. While you might not see the race live except on a large screen, that’s likely to be of little concern. On the other hand, the mature audience enjoys black-eyed Susans, the official Preakness cocktail, which combines vodka, light rum, orange liqueur, with orange and pineapple juices.

Getting There

Since the Preakness isn’t as heavily marketed as a destination race compared to the Kentucky Derby, flight prices are relatively reasonable. However, airline prices to Baltimore tend to be higher than usual, especially as demand increases for the Preakness Stakes.

Direct flights, especially from major cities, will see price spikes as the race date approaches. Consequently, it may be a great time to utilize airline miles instead of cash for tickets, as miles typically do not fluctuate in value as dramatically as ticket prices. Additionally, consider flights with layovers as a way to budget your travel expenses. A convenient tool for finding flights is Kayak, which aggregates travel deals across various airlines.

If you are traveling from the Northeast, driving to Baltimore is quite feasible. Distances include approximately one hour from Washington D.C., under two hours from Philadelphia, three hours from New York City, four hours from Pittsburgh, and six hours from Boston.

Amtrak offers convenient rail service to Baltimore from points as far as Boston to Washington, D.C., making stops in Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, New Haven, and Providence, among other cities. The train journey generally takes about as long as driving, since even the express Acela does not reach significantly higher speeds. Alternatively, bus service from various operators such as Greyhound, Megabus, and Bolt Bus is available, but expect to add at least an hour to your travel time.

Pimlico Race Course is less than a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore. However, parking at the racetrack can be quite costly, with parking passes ranging from $65 to $170. As expected, the more expensive passes offer a shorter walk to the track. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) offers additional services for race attendees that weekend, providing options such as buses, subways, Light Rail, and the MARC local train. For a complete list of transport options, visit the MTA website.

Where to Stay

Hotel prices in and around Baltimore remain relatively affordable due to the Preakness being a local event. Numerous options are available in downtown Baltimore, featuring well-known chains like Days Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Renaissance, and Sheraton. For booking your accommodations, Trip Advisor is recommended for an aggregated search of hotels, alongside high-quality customer reviews.

Alternatively, renting houses in the Baltimore area is worthwhile. Many homeowners may seek to profit from the Preakness festivities by renting out their properties. Consequently, the competition among homeowners can lead to favorable deals for you. Be vigilant and regularly check websites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway for rental opportunities.

Enjoying Baltimore

While in the area, be sure to sample some delicious Maryland crabcakes at reputable establishments like Faidley Seafood, Gertrudes, and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.

You can also savor notable Baltimore-style barbecue at Chaps Charcoal Restaurant, excellent Mexican fare at Barcocina, or for a change of scene, visit Union Craft Brewery, which has been entertaining patrons since 2012 with music, cornhole, and food trucks on select nights in the parking lot.

Should you be in pursuit of the perfect cocktail, consider visiting Bookmaker’s Cocktail Club in Federal Hill, acclaimed for its exceptional Old Fashioned and Manhattan cocktails.