The interests of crab cakes, lacrosse and preakness. That’s what Maryland is about. Since its founding in 1873, the state’s signature race has been rooted in the heart of Baltimore.
There was always noise around the preakness. Does it move? Can you survive? Is the Pimlico race course safe? Should it stay in the city trucks that have seen better decades? Through all the questions and headlines, the race has stood the test of time thanks to local fans, cities, state politicians, and communities who simply refuse to let go of it. Well, finally, the future of Maryland racing is beginning to look as strong as it is in the past.
“It actually feels like it’s real,” said Joe Clancy, editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbreds and owner of ST Publishing. “It’s been talked about forever, but this is the farthest thing ever gone. People love Pimlico, even in their old state, so I think people are a little sad, but I’m also excited about what they can do.”
The next chapter officially began last year when Maryland legislators passed the bill to tackle public stewardship from the private hands. Maryland State General Assembly Building In 1524, he established a nonprofit organization that oversees truck ownership from 1/ST Racing, a subsidiary of the Stronach Group. It also unlocked $400 million bond funds, rebuilds old hilltops and breaks into new annual training centers across the state.
Most recently, on May 9th, Maryland Governor Wesmoor Greenlight Demolition Plan and Training Center deal. “Today, we have taken another step towards a new, rethinked Pimlico,” Moore said. “Together, we will continue to drive economic growth across Park Heights, Baltimore and across the state.”
After 150 years this year, the crew begins to demolish the aging grandstandth Saturday’s Preakness run.
Preakness will move to Laurel Park for a year in 2026. The plan is to return to Baltimore in 2027 with a whole new infrastructure, not just facelifts. Stronach Group/1/St Racing licenses Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes rights for millions of dollars a year, bringing the sport’s stability permanently to the new Maryland Jockey Club nonprofit.
“There aren’t many events in Maryland that attract national television and media attention like Preakness,” Clancy said. “It’s a Baltimore moment in the spotlight, and it’s so important, and connecting redevelopment around Park Heights is a great opportunity for the city.”
But it’s not just bricks and barns that are overhauling. The infield, a long house on the wild side of Preakness, is also changing.
He has been featured in Injury for many years. Beer partyed halfmen, half horses and many parties on the Pimlico infield, ranging from entertaining boundaries to danger when guests were able to bring their beer into the gates. From 2008 onwards, the out-of-alcohol was banned and a new form of entertainment was born at the Infield Fest.
This year, even that has been a step back. For the first time since 2009, there will be no large infield music festivals. Instead, headliners like T-Pain and Wyclef Jean play short sets between races and face the grandstand. Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famers is hosting a VIP-style infield party with 3,000 fans featuring unlimited beer and wine under a 22,000-square-foot truckside tent.
“It’s like the underdogs of triple crown races,” Clancy said. “There’s no sparkle from the Kentucky Derby or the Belmont Stakes, but that’s what gives this cool charm. It’s an urban truck, it has history and despite its appearance, people love it.”
But its gritty appeal wasn’t enough to bring the bet back to the record level set for 2021. Bettors poured $57.9 million through Windows in 2024, increasing millions since 2023, but still falling from the 2021 race’s peak of $68.7 million.
Now, organizers are focusing on the future and what built Preakness in the first place, the lace, local flavours and the pride of the community. There is still concern about what will come next, especially from those who hold firmly in the history of the old hilltops, but there is also a growing sense of optimism.
“I feel like for a long time that industry and states are pulling in the same direction,” noted that Maryland’s race has been chasing neighboring states for a long time. “It’s not perfect, but the foundation is there to finally build something better.”
Preakness has always been “the race of people.” No mint jelep or a flashy multi-million dollar hat. You need tracks, crowds of concern, and old-fashioned horse racing. As Baltimore prepares to say goodbye to the old Pimlico, the city and sports are making big bets on the comeback of Maryland marquee events over the next few years.
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