Preakness Stakes History and Wagering

A few months before the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Maryland had the first run for the Woodlawn Vase, what is now the trophy for the Preakness Stakes.

While the first Preakness Stakes was run in 1873 (won by 11-1 long shot, Survivor), the Woodlawn Vase was not given to the winner of the Preakness until Kalitan won in 1917; it has been awarded to the winner ever since.

The winner of the inaugural race was Milton Stanford's Preakness (out of a seven horse field). By 1873 Pimlico introduced another stakes race for three year olds. The Governor of Baltimore, Maryland decided to name the race after the first winner at Pimlico. The Preakness Stakes were born.

Despite the importance of the Preakness Stakes to Pimlico, the Preakness has not always been run at Pimlico. In 1889 the racing industry changed and the Preakness Stakes moved to Morris Park in Bronx, NY. It then took three years off and was moved to Gravesend in Brooklyn, New York in 1894 until returning to Pimlico in 1909.

It was not until after the end of World War I that the Preakness would host it's first eventual Triple Crown winner - Sir Barton, who won the then mile and an eighth race.