145th Running Of The Preakness Stakes Now Scheduled For October 3
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The 145th running of the Preakness Stakes will take place on October 3, officials announced Saturday.
Gov. Larry Hogan made the announcement during a special re-run of the 2015 Preakness Stakes.
"Under normal circumstances, I would be standing at Pimlico with you, presenting the Woodlawn trophy to the winner of the 145th Preakness Stakes," Gov. Hogan said. "But as we all know, these are not ordinary circumstances. However, I am proud to make this announcement; on behalf of the state, the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland's historic racing industry, that Preakness 145 will be held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3. We look forward to celebrating with you soon."
The race was originally set for this weekend, but fears of the coronavirus spreading at large events led officials to postpone it.
Mayor Jack Young said this deal was pivotal to the city.
"The Preakness has been here forever, and for the Preakness not to be in Baltimore would be a great loss, not only to the City of Baltimore, but to the community that surrounds the Preakness," he said to WJZ on a Zoom conference call.
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Pimlico's owners wanted to move the Preakness to Laurel, but after city leaders and the Stronach Group negotiated for months, the two sides agreed on a deal last October to keep the race in Baltimore.
"I'm just happy October 3, we'll have the 145th leg of the Preakness right here in Baltimore again where it belongs," Young added.
The Kentucky Derby, which is traditionally held three weeks prior to Preakness as part of horse racing's Triple Crown, has been moved to September 5.
Due to the coronavirus, the annual InfieldFest at Pimlico Race Course was canceled in April.
Plans for Black-Eyed Susan Day, typically held the day before the Preakness Stakes, will be announced at a later date.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
