Baltimore will be the center of the racing world this Saturday, May 17, when Pimlico plays host to the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the $2 million Preakness Stakes. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Get to Know the Horses

This year’s Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be an exciting one, with Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism and fan favorite Sandman pointing to the race. Check out this year’s entries with our contender slideshow and the cheat sheet (which will be published on the evening of May 12).

Get Your Tickets

Pimlico offers a variety of experiences for this year’s Preakness. There’s the Turfside Terrace in the infield, clubhouse seating with great views of the track, and many other great options. Learn more about tickets for the 2025 Preakness here.

Check Out the Music Festival

Learn all about Preakness LIVE, the artist formerly known as InfieldFest, which ushered in a new era of live music, entertainment, and hopsitality for Preakness Stakes weekend. For 2025, the musical headliners are 1990s icon Wyclef, who will be performing during the Preakness racecard, including a song during the NBC Sports broadcast, and the one and only T-Pain, who will be featured in concert once the races have concluded.

The Preakness Pre-Party

You can celebrate the Preakness in style and contribute to a great cause at America’s Best Racing’s Pre-Preakness Party! The event takes place at Baltimore’s Mount Washington Tavern on Wednesday, May 14. Proceeds from the ABR Pre-Preakness Party will benefit Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. Tickets are $35 in advance and $50 at the door, and include admission, a drink, snack platters, and the opportunity to mingle with trainers, jockeys, and other racing personalities.

Get Ready for Black-Eyed Susan Day

Fans enjoy Black-Eyed Susan day in 2023. (Eclipse Sportswire)

Saturday isn’t the only big day of racing at Pimlico this week. Friday’s card is headlined by the $300,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the filly equivalent of the Preakness. The Friday card also features the historic Pimlico Special Stakes for older male horses, plus five other great stakes races. Learn more about the day’s events here and the full card of stakes races on tap for the weekend at Pimlico here.

Catch a Sunrise Tour

Pimlico offers a behind-the-scenes look at the racing action Preakness week with its popular sunrise tours. Tours are offered Tuesday, May 13, through Friday, May 16, starting at 6 a.m, ET and include visits with the blacksmiths, jockeys, trainers, outriders, and more! The tours are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to high demand, tour sign-ups end promptly at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 and Friday, May 16. 

Enjoy the Alibi Breakfast

A long-standing Preakness tradition, the Alibi Breakfast is annually held the Thursday before the Preakness, and offers horsemen and media members a chance to make their predictions (and offer excuses in advance!) for the big race. It takes place in the Terrace dining room at Pimlico. You can purchase tickets here.

Try the Signature Cocktail

Enjoy a Black-Eyed Susan cocktail. (Eclipse Sportswire)

The Kentucky Derby has the mint julep, and likewise the Preakness has its own signature drink, the Black-Eyed Susan. It’s a combination of vodka, orange juice, bourbon, and sweet and sour mix. A Preakness weekend trip isn’t complete without trying one.

Know What You Can and Can’t Bring

Preakness day can be a long one; it’s typically about nine hours between start of the first race and the Preakness Stakes. Make sure you’re prepared by bringing a phone charger, sunscreen, and a poncho, in case of an errant Maryland thunderstorm. Bags up to 18x18 are permitted, anything else is not allowed. Other prohibited items include outside food and drink, drones, chairs, tents, and glass containers of any type. Check out the full list of what you can’t bring here and get more answers to frequently asked questions here.