The Preakness Stakes is Saturday, coming on the heels of a controversial Kentucky Derby that saw the horse that led the entire race disqualified for interference.
The second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown will see a smaller field than the Kentucky Derby. As of Monday, 12 horses will be running the mile-and-3/16-course Saturday.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2019 Run for the Black-Eyed Susans at Pimlico.
When is the 2019 Preakness?
It’s Saturday. The race is always held on the third Saturday in May.
What time does it start?
Coverage of the race begins at 5 p.m. ET. Post time for the race is 6:45 p.m. ET. NBC will provide TV coverage from 5 to 7:15 p.m. ET.
What channel is it on?
NBC will broadcast pre-race activities in addition to the race.
Is it livestreamed?
Yes. Click here, NBC Sports Live, to watch it Saturday. The event can also be livestreamed on fuboTV.
How far do the horses run?
The horses run 1 3/16 miles.
What is the track surface?
Dirt.
What is the record at the track?
Secretariat holds the record. In 1973, Secretariat ran the 9.5 furlongs in 1 minute and 53 seconds.
What’s the purse for this year’s Preakness?
The purse is $1.5 million.
Which horses are running in the 2019 Preakness Stakes?
Here are the horses, their post positions and odds as of Monday morning:
Improbable, 2-1
War of Will, 3-1
Alwaysmining, 8-1
Win Win Win, 8-1
Bourbon War, 10-1
Owendale, 10-1
Anothertwistafate, 12-1
Signalman, 14-1
Bodexpress, 16-1
Warrior's Charge, 16-1
Laughing Fox, 20-1
Market King, 20-1
What is the special song that's sung?
Just after the horses are called to the post, the song "Maryland, My Maryland" is played. The official state song of Maryland is led by the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Here are the lyrics if you want to sing along. There are nine verses, here are the first three:
"The despot's heel is on thy shore,
"Maryland!
"His torch is at thy temple door,
"Maryland!
"Avenge the patriotic gore
"That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
"And be the battle queen of yore,
"Maryland! My Maryland!
"Hark to an exiled son's appeal,
"Maryland!
"My mother State! to thee I kneel,
"Maryland!
"For life and death, for woe and weal,
"Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
"And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel,
"Maryland! My Maryland!
"Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
"Maryland!
"Thy beaming sword shall never rust,
"Maryland!
"Remember Carroll's sacred trust,
"Remember Howard's warlike thrust,-
"And all thy slumberers with the just,
"Maryland! My Maryland!"
What’s the weather going to be like?
So far, the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a very small chance of rain. The temperature should be around 76.
Where can you find the Preakness Stakes Facebook and Twitter accounts?
For Facebook, click here. For Twitter, click here.
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