Track owner 1/ST will increase the purse of this year’s Preakness Stakes to $2 million and offer a $25 million racing and incentive series connecting a trio of Grade 1 races: this year’s Preakness and California Crown (formerly the Awesome Again Stakes), as well as the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes.

Beginning with this year’s Preakness, 1/ST’s three premier race days will feature more than $12.5 million in elevated purses and $7.5 million in incentives for both dirt and turf participants. 1/ST will offer a $5 million bonus, in addition to the respective purses, to the owner of the horse who wins the 149^th Preakness, the California Crown, and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

For turf stars, 1/ST will award a $2.5 million bonus, added to the elevated purses, to the connections who win the Dinner Party Stakes, The California Crown John Henry Turf, and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes.

Preakness day May 18 at Pimlico Race Course will mark the inaugural races in the new series. The Preakness purse will increase to $2 million, and the Dinner Party will increase to $500,000, making this year’s Preakness race day the most lucrative in the event’s history with a total of $3.3 million on the line. Last year’s Preakness offered a purse of $1.65 million and the Dinner Party awarded $200,000.

In a release the track owner said its decision to elevate the purses for the Preakness and Dinner Party, “reflects 1/ST’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and growing the Thoroughbred horse racing industry to usher in a new era for racing in Maryland.”

On Sept. 28, The California Crown will debut at Santa Anita Park for a reimagined opening day experience for the track’s 2024 fall meet. The California Crown will replace the Awesome Again for 3-year-olds and up and will be run at 1 1/8 miles offering $1 million (up from $302,000 last year). The $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf along with the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D. Turf Sprint, taking place on Santa Anita’s famed downhill turf course, will add to the excitement of what will be California’s richest day of racing. Last year’s John Henry awarded $201,500 while the Eddie D. Turf paid out $203,000.

The 2025 Pegasus World Cup scheduled Jan. 25 at 1/ST’s Gulfstream Park, will feature the coveted $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. The live broadcast of the Pegasus World Cup will feature the presentation of the potential $7.5 million in bonuses for any owner who manages to sweep one of the three-race series.

In its continued effort to engage the next generation and provide game-changing opportunities for existing customers, 1/ST is putting up $5 million for a Coast-to-Coast Pick ‘Em Challenge sweepstakes to successfully pick the first four finishers of each race, in order, for the Preakness, California Crown, and 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. The challenge is free to enter through the innovative 1/ST BET app. If there is no perfect winning entry, the entry with the most overall correct selections will win a $100,000 cash prize.

“My team and I continue to believe and invest in the modernization of Thoroughbred horse racing with a commitment to the highest level of international safety standards and horse care as we continue to elevate our already industry-leading wagering, entertainment and hospitality programs,” said Belinda Stronach, chairwoman and CEO of 1/ST. “To back this up 1/ST is adding to the legacy of the Preakness by increasing the purse, creating a new marquee race event for the majestic Santa Anita Park – The California Crown – and continuing to build on the phenomenal success of the Pegasus World Cup. 

“We’re proud to work with incredible partners who share our vision and see the future of world-class Thoroughbred racing combined with unique and elevated guest experiences.”

“The $25 million in racing purses and bonus incentives available for Preakness 149, California Crown, and the Pegasus World Cup, including a $5 million sweepstakes for bettors and fans, shows our commitment to innovation and excellence in Thoroughbred racing,” said 1/ST president Aidan Butler. “Providing lucrative opportunities for owners and bettors, while also delivering exceptional entertainment experiences, is our specialty.”

1/ST’s industry-leading horse care and safety protocols, including increased veterinary oversight, will be strictly enforced throughout the new racing series under the leadership of Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for 1/ST RACING.