Pimlico Race Course, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of America’s oldest and most storied racetracks. Nicknamed “Old Hilltop,” it opened in 1870 and is best known as the home of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Pimlico’s rich tradition, compact oval, and enthusiastic Mid-Atlantic fanbase make it a centerpiece of U.S. Thoroughbred racing.
Pimlico Track Details
- Surfaces: One-mile dirt oval; 7/8-mile turf course on the inside.
- Configuration: Tight turns with a relatively short stretch compared to some major tracks.
- Facilities: Grandstand, infield viewing for major days, full wagering and simulcast—part of a long-term redevelopment plan to modernize the venue.
Pimlico Featured Races & Events
- Preakness Stakes (G1): The second leg of the Triple Crown, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
- Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2): Signature race for 3-year-old fillies on Preakness weekend..
- Pimlico Special (G3): Historic route stakes for older horses.
- Notable Champions: Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah, Justify, and many other greats have won or competed here.
Pimlico Horses & Race Types
- Pimlico hosts Thoroughbred flat racing.
- Distances: From quick sprints to classic route distances.
- Divisions: Juveniles, 3-year-olds, handicaps, and older stakes runners.
Pimlico History & Legacy
- Founded: 1870, among the oldest active racetracks in the United States.
- Milestones: Longstanding home of the Preakness Stakes; “Old Hilltop” nickname comes from the infield rise where horsemen once gathered.
- Historic Moments: Secretariat’s 1973 Preakness (officially timed in 1:53.00), numerous Triple Crown winners sealing their middle jewel here; ongoing plans to rejuvenate and modernize the facility.
Pimlico Odds & Betting
- Pimlico odds see peak interest during Preakness week.
- Daily Pimlico betting odds: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, multi-race wagers (Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6).
- Preakness Stakes odds draw massive national handle with deep exotic pools.
- Available via on-track wagering, simulcast outlets, and online racebooks at BetUS.
Pimlico Records & Stats
- Preakness Stakes record time: 1:53.00 (Secretariat, 1973 – official).
- Largest winning margin (Preakness): 11½ lengths (Smarty Jones, 2004).
- Purse Highlights: Preakness Stakes is one of the richest 3-year-old races in North America outside the Kentucky Derby.
