George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

First run in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan was renamed in 1952 after the Maryland state flower. The first running of the race was won by Milkmaid, whose owner also won the U.S. Triple Crown with Sir Barton that same year. Like many races, the Black-Eyed Susan has been run at multiple distances with the race changing from its original 1 1/16 mile (8.5 furlongs) distance to 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) in 1989. It is run as filly counterpart to the Preakness Stakes, which runs the day after this race. Both Chris McCarron and John Velazquez have won the race four times to lead all jockeys with D. Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher leading all trainers with four wins each as well. Notable horses who have won the race include Cleopatra (1920), Nellie Morse (1924), Maid at Arms (1925), Fairy Chant (1940), Vagrancy (1942), Twilight Tear (1944), Gallorette (1945), Real Delight (1952), Davona Dale (1979), Serena’s Song (1995), Silverbulletday (1999), Royal Delta (2011) and Stopchargingmaria (2014).