The Preakness Stakes is a Grade 1 race for three-year-olds at 1 3/16 miles on dirt and the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The middle jewel
The Preakness follows the Derby on a short turnaround. That timing turns recovery, travel, and the decision to return in two weeks into part of the race story.
A different shape from the Derby
The Preakness is one-sixteenth of a mile shorter than the Kentucky Derby and often draws a smaller field. That can change the pace map and reduce some of the traffic found in the opening Triple Crown leg.
Read the field that entered
Do not assume the Derby result will simply repeat. Compare returning runners with newcomers, then review current conditions and official scratches before considering a wager.
Primary sources
Verify the race conditions
Race dates, venues, conditions, and entries can change. Confirm the current edition with the official sources below.