First round? Yup, that’s a wrap, and now it’s time for the main event vibes at The Preakness Stakes! No Triple Crown chase this year, but trust, the thrill’s still galloping in at full speed. We’re talking about the 150th chapter of this legendary race, and it’s all going down on Saturday, May 17, at the ever-iconic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The crowd? Electric. The energy? Off the charts. And while Sovereignty, our Kentucky Derby champ, is sitting this one out, we’ve still got a lineup of nine sleek speedsters ready to chase glory. From Goal Oriented to Gosger, every name’s got a story and every stride’s got something to prove.
Main event post time’s set for 6:50 p.m. ET, but horses will be horses, so maybe give it a few. NBC’s got you covered starting at 2 p.m., and if you’re more of a couch + snacks + stream kind of watcher, Peacock’s your bestie. And, it’s not just about that sweet $2 million prize pool (though $1.2 mil to the winner does sound dreamy)… it’s also about that shiny Woodlawn Vase replica and the tradition soaked in Black-Eyed Susans, yes, the flowers and the cocktail, both iconic. So what is the Black-Eyed Susan’s significance at Preakness Stakes?
What’s the story behind the Black-Eyed Susan at the Preakness?
Before the Preakness Stakes had its own floral flair, it was actually rocking the same vibes as the Kentucky Derby, yep, a red rose blanket and all. But in 1939, things got a local twist. When Challedon crossed that finish line first, the Maryland Jockey Club decided it was time to make the Preakness its own kind of special. So they swapped out the roses for a blanket made with Maryland’s state pride: the Black-eyed Susan. Since then, every Preakness champ gets draped in that golden cascade with the dark brown center, super dramatic, super Maryland.
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Here’s the thing though; real Black-eyed Susans? They’re fashionably late. These beauties bloom in late June or July, way past the Preakness Stakes spotlight in May. So, the team at Giant Foods (yes, the grocery store!) steps in like flower magicians. Since the late ‘90s, they’ve been crafting that iconic blanket using Viking poms, a lookalike flower from the Chrysanthemum fam that gives off the same sunny vibes with those yellow petals and chocolate centers. Easy to grow, easy to work with, and totally Preakness-worthy.
Now let’s talk flower power behind the scenes. Every Friday before the big race, five florists pull up to Giant Foods and basically throw a mini flower party in front of customers. They start with a green rubber mat, layer in some leafy Ruscus for that fresh pop, then carefully wire up around 5,000 Viking poms, yep, five thousand, into a gorgeous 10-foot-long masterpiece. It takes about eight hours, tons of patience, and a sprinkle of magic. Once it’s all stitched together (with a felt back so the winner doesn’t get poked!), they spritz it with water, chill it overnight, and by Saturday morning it’s off to Pimlico for its grand moment of glory. So what’s more to it?
The Black-eyed Susan and more!
Over at the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, aka the glow-up version of the old Pimlico Oaks, the winning gal gets her own glam moment with a flower blanket too. It’s like the Preakness Stakes prize’s little sister, still rocking those signature yellow petals and deep brown centers, just in a slightly smaller, cuter package. And trust, the florists? They’re in full beast mode all week long; Thursday and Friday are basically petal-packing marathons as they whip up these iconic floral cloaks for both races. It’s tradition wrapped in blooms, baby, and it screams Maryland pride.
Eclipse Sportswire/X
Once the dust settles and the cheers quiet down on Preakness Stakes day, the legendary Woodlawn Vase is carefully tucked away, chilling until next year’s race-day drama. But that dreamy 10-foot Black-eyed Susan blanket? That goes with the champ; straight to the barn like the world’s fanciest souvenir. And up above it all, the weather vane spins like a crown in the sky, showing off who owned the middle jewel this time around.
Now let’s talk vibes. Black-Eyed Susan Day isn’t just about racing; it’s the ultimate girls’ day out, full of fierce energy and flowery flair. Since the 1950s, it’s also brought us the Preakness’s signature sipper: the Black-Eyed Susan cocktail. Can’t make it to Pimlico? No worries. Mix up some bourbon, vodka, peach schnapps, splash in orange juice and sour mix, shake it like you mean it, and boom, you’ve got yourself a glass of race-day magic. Baltimore bars? Oh, they’ve got their own twists too, plus plenty of watch parties and good-time specials to keep the Preakness Stakes spirit flowing all night long.
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