Preakness Stakes Trivia
Written May 13, 2009 by Jack Jones
If you are going to the track this weekend, or even if you are just getting together with some buddies to watch the Preakness, then why not impress them with your know how of the race. Today I’m going to take a look at some random trivia so you can look like a horse racing genius. That way you can play it off as a fluke when the pony you are backing goes down in flames. If you are looking for a place to bet the Preakness take a look at the $500 matching signup bonus offered to our readers courtesy of BetUS.
First Race – The first running of the Preakness took place back in 1873 and was won by Survivor, who won by 10 lengths. About 12,000 people showed up to watch and the purse was $2,050. There were only three races that day, instead of the 13-race marathon that will take place on Saturday.
Trophy – The winning owner is awarded the Woodlawn Vase. This is the most valuable trophy in all of sports, created by Tiffany & Co.
Flower – The Preakness winner is supposed to be adorned with the state flower of Maryland, which is the Black Eyed Susan, much like the Derby winner is draped in roses. However, the Black Eyes Susan only blooms during the summer and fall so the winner actually gets coverd with Viking Daisies, which are carefully craft to look similar to the Black Eyed Susan.
Date of Race – Many people know the Preakness as the second leg of the Triple Crown, but did you know that it was actually held before the Kentucky Derby eleven times between 1888 and 1931? Also, in 1890 the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes were both held on the same day and in 1918 there were divisions so two winners were crowned.
Top Jockey – Eddie Arcaro, who earned the nickname “The Master,” is the all-time winningest jockey at the Preakness with six titles. The leading active jockey is Kent Desormeaux who won with Big Brown last year and with Real Quiet back in 1998.
Men Only – There have been four fillies that have won this race, but only two female jockeys have ever raced. The first was Patricia Cooksey back in 1985, who finished sixth on Tajawa then Adrea Seefeldt finished seventh in 1994 while riding Looking. No female trainer has ever won the Preakness, but Nancy Alberts trained Magic Weisner to a second place showing back in 2002.
Largest Margin of Victory – Smarty Jones holds the largest margin of victory when he won by 11 1/2 lengths in 2004. That broke the record that had stood since Survivor won the first race. Funny Cide won by 9 3/4 lengths in 2003, but more races have come down to the wire with six races being decided by a nose and eleven being won by a head.
Biggest Payout – Back in 1975 Master Derby upset the field and returned $48.80 for a $2 wager. That’s a far cry from the Derby who has seen two 50-to-1 or higher underdogs come through this decade.
Top Trainers – The all-time leader in training winners is R. Wyndham Walden, who won for the seventh time back in 1888. Among actives it is D. Wayne Lukas with five and Bob Baffert with four leading the way.
Trainer/Jockey Combo – Two different people have won the Preakness as both a trainer and as a jockey. Louis Schaefer got his win riding Dr. Freeland in 1929 and then trained Challedon in 1939. Johnny Longdon rode Count Fleet in 1943 and trained the winner in 1969, Majestic Prince.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- Odds to Win 2009 Preakness Stakes
- 2009 Preakness Stakes Post Positions
- Preakness Stakes 2009: Pioneerof The Nile Preview & Predictions
- 2009 Preakness Stakes Results
- Preakness Stakes Power Rankings
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