Keeneland will host its annual Preakness Day celebration this Saturday, complete with picnics in the paddock, crab cakes and a full afternoon of simulcast wagering.
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mine That Bird and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Rachel Alexandra will make racing history when they meet in Saturday’s $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1), the second leg of the coveted Triple Crown.
Gates open at Keeneland at 9 a.m.; grandstand mutuels open at 10 a.m. Admission and parking are free. Concessions, full-service bars and open-air grills will be serving crab cakes, BBQ, burgers and Black-Eyed Susans – the official drink of the Preakness. Reservations may also be made for the trackside Equestrian Dining Room by calling 288-4379 or 288-4213.
Fans are welcome to bring their own food (excluding alcohol) and picnic items such as blankets and lawn chairs to the paddock and walking ring. However tents, canopies, umbrellas, grills and glass are not permitted inside the gates.
Post time for the first race from Pimlico on Saturday is 10:15 a.m.; post time for the Preakness is approximately 6:15 p.m. A full afternoon of stakes racing fills the Preakness undercard, including the $150,000 Dixie (G2), the $150,000 Allaire Dupont Distaff (G2), the $100,000 Gallorette (G3), the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) and the $100,000 Hirsch Jacobs (G3).
Keeneland will simulcast the entire Pimlico race card on its infield LED board, and on television monitors and video displays around the track. Monitors also will be dedicated to NBC Sports’ coverage of the classic.
Advance wagering on the entire Preakness Day card will be available at mutuel windows beginning at Noon on Friday, May 15. Drive-thru mutuel windows will be open on Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 am until Preakness post time.
Keeneland will simulcast the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) from Pimlico on Friday. First post is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.; post time for the Black-Eyed Susan is set for 5:50 p.m. Fans can wager on the Black-Eyed Susan/Preakness Double beginning at Noon on Friday.
In addition to Pimlico, Keeneland will simulcast racing on Friday and Saturday from Arlington, Belmont, Churchill Downs, Golden Gate, Hollywood, Louisiana Downs, Monmouth, Presque Isle Downs, Thistledown/River Downs and Woodbine, among others.
