Preakness 2016: Preakness Stakes and Events

The eyes of the horseracing world are on the Baltimore area this week for the 141st running of the Preakness Stakes . The thoroughbred racing event takes place on Saturday, May 21 at the Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore, Maryland. Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will try to become the fourth horse to win both races in the last five years with a Preakness Race victory this weekend. But well before the competition begins on Saturday, there are many events in the Baltimore area to help celebrate this year’s running of the Preakness Stakes.

Preakness 2016 Events

Sunrise at Old Hilltop – May 17-20

From 6am to 9am on Tuesday through Friday during Preakness 2016 Week, Pimlico Race course is offering a 20-minute walking tour known as Sunrise at Old Hilltop . This tour of the Preakness race track includes watching the sunrise from the grandstands at the facility. Visitors can also watch the horses and jockeys go through their morning routines in preparation for the Preakness Stakes. Afterwards, visitors can take a free tour of the stable area and learn insights into the racing world.

Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival – May 19-21

One of the highlights of the Preakness Horse Race other than the Preakness Stakes itself is the balloon festival at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. The Preakness Celebration Balloon Festival is a free festival on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Preakness 2016 week. It features tethered hot air balloon rides (with an additional fee), crafts, family activities and entertainment. In the evening,the balloons are lit with special lights as they launch into the sky.

Black-Eyed Susan Day – May 20

Black-Eyed Susan Day is held on Friday of Preakness Race week every year. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes were first run in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, but in 1952 changed to its current name to commemorate Maryland’s state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan. This race is a 1 1/8 mile race for 3-year-old fillies. A portion of proceeds for the event and race will be shared with the Maryland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.

Preakness Stakes and Preakness Horse Race Events

The Preakness Stakes is traditionally held on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Track, the second oldest race track in the United States. The Preakness horse race is the “middle jewel” in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown: Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. In 2015, the great American Pharoah earned a Preakness Stakes victory on his way sweeping the Triple Crown. This year, Nyquist arrives in Baltimore as the favorite after winning the 2016 Kentucky Derby.

Infield Fest

Infield Fest is a multi-entertainment festival on the infield of Pimlico Race Track that takes place throughout race day. The festival includes food and other vendors, music, entertainment and much more! The headliner for this year’s Infield Fest is Fetty Wap. There are also performances by other regional and national performers throughout the day.

Preakness Week always brings excitement to the Baltimore area with all of the great activities from the Preakness Week to the Preakness Stakes. ezStorage has 45 storage locations in the Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia areas that can serve all of your storage needs from business to household.