The
Maryland Racing Commission approved the 2013 Pimlico Race Course racing
days and spring stakes schedule at its monthly meeting this afternoon.
The headline event of the 10-week meeting is the 138th running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of horse racing’s famed Triple Crown, on May 18.
The
marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 21 open stakes
races for purses of $3.775 million, an increase of $625,000. There will
be additional Maryland-bred stakes races and Maryland-bred bonuses to
some of the existing stakes added to the lineup, which will boost the
final figure to more than $4 million for the stand.
The
Preakness undercard features seven other stakes races, including four
graded races. Purses for the Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) and the
Allaire duPont Stakes (G3) have been increased from $100,000 to
$150,000.
The
May 17 card features seven stakes races, five for fillies and mares,
highlighted by the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for three-year-old
fillies. The purse for the Black-Eyed Susan was increased for the second
consecutive year, from $300,000 to $500,000. The Preakness eve card
also includes the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3).
“Having
a strong stakes schedule on Preakness weekend is important,” said
Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “We are working hard to
increase the profile of the Preakness eve card. Increasing the purse of
the Black-Eyed Susan by $200,000 is the first step in that direction. In
addition, purses on overnight races during the meet will be raised
10-15% across the board, which should lead to larger fields and more
wagering.”
In
addition to the Black-Eyed Susan, Maryland Sprint and Allaire duPont
increases, the other modifications to the stakes schedule are:
· $25,000 purse increases to the Dahlia, Henry Clark, Primonetta and Canonero II Stakes
· Return
of the $75,000 Federico Tesio Stakes (last run in 2011), the $75,000
Rollicking Stakes (last run in 2005) and $75,000 Stormy Blues Handicap
(last run in 2001)
The
Pimlico spring stand will begin April 4 with live racing taking place
four days a week on a Thursday through Sunday schedule prior to
Preakness and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday (plus Memorial Day). The
36-day meet will end on June 8, Belmont Stakes day.
“It
is essential to continue a live racing schedule through the Triple
Crown,” added Chuckas. “We feel this will help sustain the momentum
built during Preakness. The last three years racing ended on Preakness
day and didn’t start back up until after Labor Day. This decision will
allow fans who enjoyed themselves on Preakness weekend to come back
sooner.”