Memories of Pimlico

The tunnel to the infield at Pimlico.

Memories of Pimlico

Date: 05/13/2021

The Preakness Stakes celebrates its 146th running this Saturday, having been first run in 1873, first run at Pimlico in Baltimore but briefly moved to New York before returning home for good in 1909, and has been run here every year since. However, 2021 will mark the end of an era, as this will be the final Preakness to be run over the original track configuration, which has not only hosted the second jewel of the Triple Crown, but was also the site of the famous 1938 Pimlico Special, the match race where Seabiscuit shipped in from California to defeat Triple Crown winner War Admiral.

Anybody who has visited the facility in recent years could tell the building is not only outdated but is beyond repair. The roof leaks when it rains, the elevators frequently fail, a power outage severely affected operations during the 1998 Preakness, and the final straw came in 2019 when the old wooden grandstand at the top of the stretch was declared unsafe for use and closed to spectators just weeks before that year’s Preakness, forcing ticket-holding fans to either take a refund or be moved elsewhere in the facility including the infield tents. After negotiations between the city, state, Maryland horsemen, and track owner The Stronach Group, finally there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Soon after the 2021 Preakness meet ends, the facility will be demolished, with the first major step being to rotate the track 30 degrees and shorten it to 7 1/2 furlongs in order to align it with the surrounding streets, opening more room for development. The goal is for Pimlico to be used year-round for non-racing purposes, including sports fields for community use in the infield. The city of Baltimore will own the property, leasing it back to Stronach Group for two months every year in order to install the temporary structures needed to host the Preakness such as tents and seating, and then dismantle it afterward. The 2022 Preakness is expected to be run over the new track but with mostly temporary structures for spectators as the permanent grandstand will not be completed by then.

Here are some scenic photos of the old Pimlico facilities before the last Preakness held there.

2021 Triple Crown quick links:

• 2021 Belmont Stakes Contenders – There will be no Triple Crown possibility this year, but the Belmont Stakes (G1) is still worth $1.5 million so there are lots of horses aiming for it. No Derby winner, but Preakness winner Rombauer is back. The post position draw is on June 1st.
• Rombauer upsets in the Preakness (G1) – Saturday at Pimlico, Rombauer rallied in the stretch to win the 2021 Preakness Stakes (G1) by 3 1/2 lengths over Midnight Bourbon and favorite Medina Spirit, giving trainer Mike McCarthy his first Triple Crown race win.
• Preakness Undercard Stakes Results – There were 9 other stakes on Preakness day headlined by the Dinner Party Stakes (G2) won by Somelikeithotbrown, the Chick Lang Stakes (G3) won by Mighty Mischief, the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) won by Special Reserve, and the Gallorette (G3) won by Mean Mary.
• Black-Eyed Susan Day Results – Army Wife drew off to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) by 2 3/4 lengths at Pimlico on Friday while favorite Beautiful Gift finished 7th. There were 5 other stakes on the card including the Pimlico Special (G3) won by Last Judgment, the Allaire Dupont Distaff (G3) won by Spice is Nice, and the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) won by Red Ghost.
• 2021 Preakness Entries – A field of only 10 was entered for the 146th Preakness Stakes, with Medina Spirit as the 9-5 favorite drawing post 3 and stablemate Concert Tour in post 10 set as the second choice at 5-2. Get the horses, morning line odds, and free past performances here.
• Medina Spirit best in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) – Saturday at Churchill Downs, Medina Spirit went to the front early and held on by a half length to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) over Mandaloun and Hot Rod Charlie. Favorite Essential Quality was bumped at the start but got up for fourth. This makes trainer Bob Baffert the all-time top Derby trainer with 7 wins total. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
• Kentucky Derby Follow-up – Trainer Bob Baffert had a press conference at his barn on Sunday morning and brought out Derby winner Medina Spirit to pose for the media. Check out the comments and photos.
• Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Results – There were 6 other stakes on the card with the Derby, including the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) won by both Colonel Liam and Domestic Spending in a dead heat, the Derby City Distaff (G1) won by Gamine, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) won by Blowout, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) won by Flagstaff, the American Turf (G2) won by Du Jour, and the Pat Day Mile (G3) won by Jackie’s Warrior. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
• Malathaat wins the 2021 Kentucky Oaks (G1) – Favorite Malathaat broke poorly but got the lead in the stretch and held on to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by neck at Churchill Downs on Friday. Search Results was second and Will’s Secret was third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
• Kentucky Oaks Undercard Stakes Results – There were 5 other stakes on the card today with the Oaks, including the La Troienne (G1) won by Shedaresthedevil , the Alysheba (G2) won by Maxfield, the Eight Belles (G2) won by Obligatory, the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) won by Fast Boat, and the Edgewood Stakes (G3) won by Gift List. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
• Belmont Winners – all past winners with breeding, connections, time, odds, etc.
• Belmont Stakes official site – lots of news and info here
• Belmont Stakes History – for 2021 from NYRA split into sections. Includes all kinds of interesting stats plus charts for all the previous runnings included in the list of winners.
• Belmont Stakes Ticket Info – sold through Ticket Master this year.
• Blood Horse Triple Crown Mania
• DRF Belmont Special
• New York Post Sports Section – should have some articles, scroll way down to find them in the “Sports Stories” section.
• New York Times Sports – will have Belmont coverage mixed in the other sports page
• Belmont Stakes Videos – Lots of video clips of past Belmonts including most of the Triple Crown winners. Look for the video camera icon to the far right of the winner’s name to see if they have a video.
• Triple Crown Trivia Quiz – test your knowledge of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont and compete with others.
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