Pimlico Race Course
Encyclopedia
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack
in Baltimore, Maryland
, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes
. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English
settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London
. The racetrack is nickname
d "Old Hilltop" after a small rise in the infield
that became a favorite gathering place for thoroughbred
trainers and race enthusiasts.
Pimlico officially opened in the fall of 1870, with the colt Preakness winning the first running of the Dinner Party Stakes. Three years later the horse would have the 1873 Preakness Stakes
named in his honor. The track is also noted as the home for the match race in which Seabiscuit
beat War Admiral
in the second Pimlico Special
, on November 1, 1938, before a crowd of 43,000.
It is currently owned by Maryland Jockey Club, a joint venture of MI Developments Inc. (MID) and Penn National Gaming
. On April 13, 2009, the Maryland General Assembly
approved a bill
authorizing the state to purchase Pimlico if Magna cannot find a buyer. It was signed into law by Governor
Martin O'Malley
the following day.
The Preakness Stakes and the Pimlico Special are run at a distance of 1 3/16 miles. The Pimlico track record for that distance is held by Farma Way
, who set it while winning the Pimlico Special in 1991.
In the century and more since its opening, Pimlico Race Track has weathered much outside history including the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Great Fire of Baltimore (1904)
and several notable Baltimore riots. Pimlico also survived Prohibition and even an anti-gambling movement in 1910. As Alfred G. Vanderbilt said, “Pimlico is more than a dirt track bounded by four streets. It is an accepted American institution, devoted to the best interests of a great sport, graced by time, respected for its honorable past.” The races held at Pimlico draw spectators from neighboring states, with The Preakness being the outstanding yearly event. In 2007, 121,263 people were in attendance to watch the Preakness, the largest number of people to watch a sporting event in Maryland history. More than $87.2 million was placed in bets.
On March 23rd, 2010 an agreement was reached to sell the two Maryland Jockey Club tracks (Pimlico and Laurel Park) from Magna Entertainment Corporation to its parent company MI Development. MI Development will receive the tracks from M.E.C. in exchange for paying $25 million in cash for claims to Maryland Jockey Club creditors and $89 million to other creditors through a new reorganization plan. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, have until April 30 to approve Magna's reorganization plan.
On May 7, 2010, MI Development and Penn National announced that they would jointly own and operate the Maryland Jockey Club. Penn National which began in 1973 to operate a single race track near Harrisburg, PA has grown to become the largest racetrack operator in the country.
After opposition to expanded gambling at Pimlico led by Mount Washington Improvement Association, a homeowner group, the state of Maryland denied a license to operate a slots parlor at Pimlico.
Asserting that the race track cannot make money on days without the massive crowds drawn by the Preakness, the owners first proposed 146 days of racing, with horse owners surrendering simulcasting revenue and an additional $1.7 million to the track. When that was turned down, the owners offered 78 days of racing, with no concession but the $1.7 million. On December 21, 2010, the Maryland Racing Commission voted down that proposal 8-0, leaving the future of thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland in doubt.
turf oval. There is stabling for about 1,000 horses, and the attendance capacity, including the infield, is over 120,000.
Grade 1
Stakes Races:
Grade 2 Stakes Races:
Grade 3 Stakes Races:
Listed (ungraded) Stakes Races:
Pimlico Race Course was the original United States
site for Virgin Festival
from its beginnings in 2006 through 2008.
The first one was held on September 23 of that year, featuring bands such as The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers
and The Who
.
In 2007, it was a two-day festival held on August 4–5 and featured popular acts such as The Police
, The Beastie Boys
, The Smashing Pumpkins
and Velvet Revolver
.
Its name was slightly changed to Virgin Mobile Festival, when it returned to Pimlico for the third straight year on August 9-10, 2008, with five headliners: The Foo Fighters
, Kanye West
, Stone Temple Pilots
, Jack Johnson
and Nine Inch Nails
.
The event moved to Merriweather Post Pavilion
in 2009.
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The racetrack is nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
d "Old Hilltop" after a small rise in the infield
Infield
Infield is a widely used term in sports terminology, its meaning depends on the sport in which it is used.- In baseball :In baseball the baseball diamond plus a region beyond it , has both grass and dirt, in contrast to the more distant, usually grass-covered outfield...
that became a favorite gathering place for thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
trainers and race enthusiasts.
Pimlico officially opened in the fall of 1870, with the colt Preakness winning the first running of the Dinner Party Stakes. Three years later the horse would have the 1873 Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
named in his honor. The track is also noted as the home for the match race in which Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit
Seabiscuit was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States. From an inauspicious start, Seabiscuit became an unlikely champion and a symbol of hope to many Americans during the Great Depression...
beat War Admiral
War Admiral
War Admiral was an American thoroughbred racehorse, the offspring of the great thoroughbred Man o' War and the mare Brushup. He inherited his father's fiery temperament and talent, but did not resemble him physically...
in the second Pimlico Special
Pimlico Special
The Pimlico Special is an American thoroughbred horse race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in mid May. It is raced on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles . The race is currently open to horses age three and older and offers a purse of $250,000.The Pimlico Special was first run in...
, on November 1, 1938, before a crowd of 43,000.
It is currently owned by Maryland Jockey Club, a joint venture of MI Developments Inc. (MID) and Penn National Gaming
Penn National Gaming
Penn National Gaming, Inc. is a diversified owner and operator of casino properties, as well as horse racetracks and associated off-track betting facilities primarily in the United States...
. On April 13, 2009, the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
approved a bill
Bill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
authorizing the state to purchase Pimlico if Magna cannot find a buyer. It was signed into law by Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Martin O'Malley
Martin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
the following day.
The Preakness Stakes and the Pimlico Special are run at a distance of 1 3/16 miles. The Pimlico track record for that distance is held by Farma Way
Farma Way
Farma Way was an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse foaled in Kentucky. He was sired by Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa out of the Diplomat Way mare, Fine Tribute, a descendant of the very important sire, Nearco....
, who set it while winning the Pimlico Special in 1991.
In the century and more since its opening, Pimlico Race Track has weathered much outside history including the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Great Fire of Baltimore (1904)
Great Baltimore Fire
The Great Baltimore Fire raged in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, on Sunday, February 7, and Monday, February 8, 1904. 1,231 firefighters were required to bring the blaze under control...
and several notable Baltimore riots. Pimlico also survived Prohibition and even an anti-gambling movement in 1910. As Alfred G. Vanderbilt said, “Pimlico is more than a dirt track bounded by four streets. It is an accepted American institution, devoted to the best interests of a great sport, graced by time, respected for its honorable past.” The races held at Pimlico draw spectators from neighboring states, with The Preakness being the outstanding yearly event. In 2007, 121,263 people were in attendance to watch the Preakness, the largest number of people to watch a sporting event in Maryland history. More than $87.2 million was placed in bets.
On March 23rd, 2010 an agreement was reached to sell the two Maryland Jockey Club tracks (Pimlico and Laurel Park) from Magna Entertainment Corporation to its parent company MI Development. MI Development will receive the tracks from M.E.C. in exchange for paying $25 million in cash for claims to Maryland Jockey Club creditors and $89 million to other creditors through a new reorganization plan. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, have until April 30 to approve Magna's reorganization plan.
On May 7, 2010, MI Development and Penn National announced that they would jointly own and operate the Maryland Jockey Club. Penn National which began in 1973 to operate a single race track near Harrisburg, PA has grown to become the largest racetrack operator in the country.
After opposition to expanded gambling at Pimlico led by Mount Washington Improvement Association, a homeowner group, the state of Maryland denied a license to operate a slots parlor at Pimlico.
Asserting that the race track cannot make money on days without the massive crowds drawn by the Preakness, the owners first proposed 146 days of racing, with horse owners surrendering simulcasting revenue and an additional $1.7 million to the track. When that was turned down, the owners offered 78 days of racing, with no concession but the $1.7 million. On December 21, 2010, the Maryland Racing Commission voted down that proposal 8-0, leaving the future of thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland in doubt.
Physical attributes
The track has a one-mile dirt oval and a seven furlongFurlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
turf oval. There is stabling for about 1,000 horses, and the attendance capacity, including the infield, is over 120,000.
Racing
The following stakes are run at Pimlico (in order of grade, then year inaugurated):Grade 1
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Stakes Races:
- Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
(1873) - Pimlico SpecialPimlico SpecialThe Pimlico Special is an American thoroughbred horse race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland in mid May. It is raced on dirt over a distance of 1³/16 miles . The race is currently open to horses age three and older and offers a purse of $250,000.The Pimlico Special was first run in...
(1937)
Grade 2 Stakes Races:
- Dixie Stakes (1870)
- Black-Eyed Susan StakesBlack-Eyed Susan StakesThe Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old fillies willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt and currently offers a purse of $250,000...
(1919) - Allaire duPont Distaff StakesAllaire duPont Distaff StakesThe Allaire DuPont Distaff is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. A Grade II event run in mid May, it is open to fillies and mares age three and older...
(1992)
Grade 3 Stakes Races:
- Gallorette HandicapGallorette HandicapThe Gallorette Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run on Preakness Day at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland as a stakes feature of the undercard. It's set at a distance of one and one sixteenth miles on the turf....
(1952) - Chick Lang StakesHirsch Jacobs StakesThe Chick Lang Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently an Ungraded stakes race open to three-year-old horses, it is contested on dirt over a distance of six furlongs...
(1975) - Miss Preakness Stakes (1986)
- Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap (1987)
- William Donald Schaefer HandicapWilliam Donald Schaefer HandicapThe William Donald Schaefer Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. A Grade III event open to three-year-old horses and up, it is contested on dirt over a distance of 1-1/8 miles...
(1994)
Listed (ungraded) Stakes Races:
- James A. Murphy StakesWoodlawn StakesThe James W. Murphy Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to three-year-old horses, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf....
(1966) - Hilltop StakesHilltop StakesThe Hilltop Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to three-year-old fillies, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf....
(1973) - Geisha HandicapGeisha HandicapGeisha Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in April since 1973 primarily at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore or at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel. To be eligible for the Geisha Handicap, a horse must be bred in Maryland...
(1973) - Federico Tesio StakesFederico Tesio StakesThe Federico Tesio Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Contested over a distance of one and one-eighth miles on dirt, it is open to three-year-olds horses....
(1981) - The Very One StakesThe Very One StakesThe Very One Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to fillies and mares three-years-old and up, it is contested over a distance of five furlongs on turf....
(1993) - Skipat StakesSkipat StakesThe Skipat Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Contested over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt, it is open to fillies and mares three-years-old and up....
(1993) - Barbaro StakesBarbaro Stakes at Pimlico Race CourseThe Barbaro Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is run as part of the undercard for the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series...
(1999) - Henry S. Clark StakesHenry S. Clark StakesThe Henry S. Clark Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Open to horses three-years-old & up, it is contested over a distance of one mile on turf....
(2001) - Jim McKay Turf SprintJim McKay Turf SprintThe Jim McKay Turf Sprint is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds and up held annually during the third week of May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is run as part of the undercard for the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series...
(2006) - Shine Again StakesShine Again StakesThe Shine Again Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Contested over a distance of one mile and one sixteenth on the dirt, it is open to fillies and mares three-years-old and up that are Registered Maryland-breds.Run during the...
(2006)
Non-racing events
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
site for Virgin Festival
Virgin Festival
The Virgin Fest is a rock festival held in the United States and Canada, a spin-off from the V Festival held in the UK...
from its beginnings in 2006 through 2008.
The first one was held on September 23 of that year, featuring bands such as The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
and The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
.
In 2007, it was a two-day festival held on August 4–5 and featured popular acts such as The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, The Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
and Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
.
Its name was slightly changed to Virgin Mobile Festival, when it returned to Pimlico for the third straight year on August 9-10, 2008, with five headliners: The Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
, Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
and Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
.
The event moved to Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Merriweather Post Pavilion is an outdoor concert venue located within Symphony Woods, a 40-acre lot of preserved land in the heart of the planned community of Columbia, Maryland. It was named for the American Post Foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post...
in 2009.