Crab cakes, lacrosse, and the Preakness Stakes. That’s what Maryland does. Since its inception in 1873, the state’s signature race has been rooted in the heart of Baltimore.

Old Charm versus much-needed modernization. (Eclipse Sportswire)

There’s always been noise around the Preakness. Would it move? Could it survive? Is the Pimlico Race Course grandstand safe? Should it even stay at the urban track that’s seen better decades? Through all the questions and headlines, the race has stood the test of time thanks to local fans, city and state politicians, and a community that simply refuses to let it go. Now, finally, the future of Maryland racing is starting to look as strong as its past.

“It feels real now, like actually real,” said Joe Clancy, editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred and owner of ST Publishing. “It’s been talked about forever, but this is the furthest it’s ever gone. I think people are a little sad because everyone loves Pimlico, even in its old state, but there’s also excitement about what could be.”

That next chapter officially began last year, when Maryland lawmakers passed a bill to wrestle Pimlico out of private hands and into public stewardship. Maryland General Assembly House Bill 1524 transferred ownership of the track from 1/ST Racing, a subsidiary of the Stronach Group, to the state and created a nonprofit to oversee horse racing statewide. It also unlocked $400 million in bond funding to rebuild Old Hilltop and break ground on a new year-round training center in the state.

Pimlico is on target for a new facility in 2027. (Eclipse Sportswire)

More recently, on May 9, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore greenlit demolition plans and the training center deal. “Today we take another step toward a new, reimagined Pimlico,” Moore said. “Together, we will continue to drive economic growth in Park Heights, throughout Baltimore, and across the entire state.”

Crews will begin tearing down the aging grandstand after this year’s 150^th running of the Preakness on Saturday.

The Preakness will shift to Laurel Park for one year in 2026. The plan is to return to Baltimore in 2027 not just with a facelift, but with an entirely new infrastructure. The Stronach Group/1/ST Racing would then license the rights to the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for several million dollars per year to the new Maryland Jockey Club nonprofit, tasked with stabilizing the sport for good.

“There aren’t many events in Maryland that get national TV and media attention like the Preakness,” Clancy said. “It’s Baltimore’s moment in the spotlight, it matters a lot, and tying the redevelopment to the Park Heights neighborhood is a huge opportunity for the city.”

But it’s not just the bricks and barns getting an overhaul. The infield, long home to the Preakness’s wild side, is changing, too.

A party atmosphere in Preakness infield. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Over the years we’ve been introduced to Kegasus, the beer drinking half-man, half-horse, and a whole lot of partying in the Pimlico infield that stretched the boundaries from entertaining to hazardous when guests could still bring their own beer inside the gates. The Preakness barred outside alcohol after 2008, and a new form of entertainment was born with Infield Fest.

This year, even that’s taking a step back. For the first time since 2009, there will be no massive infield music festival. Instead, headliners like T-Pain and Wyclef Jean will perform short sets between races, facing the grandstand. Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famer Ray Lewis is hosting a VIP-style infield party capped at 3,000 fans, featuring unlimited beer and wine under a 22,000-square-foot trackside tent.

“It’s like the underdog of the Triple Crown races,” Clancy said. “It doesn’t have the shine of the Kentucky Derby or the Belmont Stakes, but that’s what gives it this cool charm. It’s a city track, it’s got history, and despite how it looks, people love it.”

That gritty charm hasn’t been enough to bring betting back to record levels set in 2021, however. Bettors put $57.9 million through the windows in 2024, up several million from 2023, but still down from the race’s $68.7 million peak in 2021.

Design concept for Pimlico (Maryland Stadium Authority)

Now, organizers are focused on the future and what built the Preakness in the first place: racing, local flavor, and community pride. While there’s still some apprehension about what comes next, especially from those who hold tight to the grit and history of Old Hilltop, there’s also a growing sense of optimism.

“For the first time in a long time, it feels like the industry and the state are pulling in the same direction,” said Clancy, who pointed out that Maryland racing has long trailed neighboring states, hamstrung by the lack of on-track casino revenue and years of stalled planning. “It’s not perfect, but the foundation is finally there to build something better.”

The Preakness has always been “the people’s race.” It doesn’t need mint juleps or millions of dollars of fancy hats. It just needs a track, a crowd that cares, and a good old-fashioned horse race down the stretch. As Baltimore prepares to say good-bye to the old Pimlico, the city and the sport are betting big on a comeback for Maryland’s marquee event in the years to come.