Preakness Week Primer

If You’re Here for the Horses

Tuesday-Friday, May 13-16
Sunrise Tour at Old Hilltop
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 6-9 a.m. Free. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Watch the horses’ morning workouts on the Grandstand apron and then take an insider’s tour of the stable area.

Wednesday, May 14
Preakness Post Position Draw
International Pavilion at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 6 p.m. Free. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Watch the blind draw that determines the crucial starting post positions for the 139th Preakness Stakes. 

If You’re Here for the People

Thursday, May 15
Alibi Breakfast
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 9:30 a.m. $30. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Celebrate Preakness with the jockeys, owners, trainers, horsemen, and media at the annual awards breakfast.

Friday, May 16
Jockey Autograph Session
The Grandstand at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 10-11 a.m. Free. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Get the John Hancocks of this year’s competing jocks. 

Friday, May 16
Book Signing
The Grandstand at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 12-3 p.m. Free. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Meet actress and author Mariel Hemingway as she signs copies of her new healthy living book, Running with Nature.

If You’re Here for the Party

Saturday, May 10
The Bridge at Rams Head Live
Rams Head Live, 20 Market Place. 8 p.m. $25. 410-244-1131. ramsheadlive.com. Preakness week kicks off with a concert from one of Baltimore’s most popular bands, The Bridge.

Friday, May 16
Black-Eyed Susan Day
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 9:30 a.m. $7-150. 410-542-9400. blackeyedsusanday.com. This day hosts races—including the prestigious Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (see our story on p. 88)—a luncheon with Mariel Hemingway, Zumba class with celebrity instructors, and a concert headlined by Counting Crows.

Saturday, May 17
Infieldfest
The Infield at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. $60-100. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. Grammy-winning artist Lorde will headline the annual concert that also features Switchfoot and Eli Young Band.

Saturday, May 17
139th Preakness Stakes
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Racing starts: 10:45 a.m. $25-150. 410-542-9400. preakness.com. The top thoroughbreds in the world go head-to-head in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.