The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. It is a 1-3/16 mile race, run at Pimlico Downs in Maryland two weeks after the Triple Crown’s first leg, the Kentucky Derby.
The first Preakness Stakes was run on May 27, 1873 at the three-year-old Pimlico Downs. The race was named after the winner of the first race at what would be Pimlico in 1870. That race was the Dinner Party Stakes (now the Dixie Handicap) and the winner was a colt named Preakness. The old Preakness ran for 17 years before Pimlico all but closed down running only a few trotting and steeplechase races each year. For 15 years, called the “lost” Preaknesses, the race was run in New York. In 1909 it returned to Pimlico and has been run there every year.
The tradition of presenting the winning horse with a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans began in 1940. The flower is Maryland’s state flower and each year three ladies spend two days creating the blanket. Today’s blanket is 18 inches by 90 inches and is actually made out of Viking daisies as the Black-Eyed Susan doesn’t bloom in Maryland until June. The middle of the daisies are painted with black lacquer to simulate the Susan.
The Black-Eyed Susan was designated Maryland’s state flower in 1918. It is said to usually have 13 petals, taken to symbolize the original 13 colonies of which Maryland was one. It also follows the state’s black and yellow colors.
The Black-Eyed Susan drink is a tradition at Pimlico and is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes. It is named after the Black-Eyed Susan flower and the blanket given to the Preakness winner. The official recipe is in the style of a large Southern punch, with enough servings for 10 – 20 people.
Black-Eyed Susan - Recipe
This is the one time you want another Black Eye!
1 - 1/4 cup vodka
4 cups orange juice
1 - 1/4 cup light rum
ice ring
3/4 cup triple sec
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
4 cups pineapple juice
Chill all ingredients. Just before serving combine in a punch bowl. Unmold ice ring and float in bowl. Makes 10 large servings.
The Preakness website also offers this individual recipe.
¾ oz. 42 Below Vodka
1-1/4 oz. Early Times Kentucky Whiskey
3 oz. sweet & sour mix
2 oz. orange juice
Garnish with orange slice, cherry and a stirrer.