Final Preakness Stakes at ‘Pimlico As We Know It’ Delivers High Drama

Pimlico Race Course is set to shut down after a dramatic Preakness Stakes over the weekend, in preparation for a major demolition that will make way for a $400 million renovation at the historic Baltimore facility.

Journalism won the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes—the middle leg of horse racing’s triple crown—in a come-from-behind photo finish over Goser on Saturday. Journalism, which was the favorite at the Preakness after finishing second as the favorite at the Kentucky Derby, earned the $1.2 million first-place prize for its owner, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Trainer Michael McCarthy and jockey Umberto Rispoli will each take roughly 10% of the winnings.

The thrilling race marked “one last time at Pimlico as we know it,” NBC announcer Mike Tirico noted during Saturday’s broadcast.

Earlier this month, Maryland authorities approved a long-planned project that will transform and modernize Pimlico, which opened in 1870. Next year’s Preakness Stakes will be held at nearby Laurel Park, before the race moves back to Pimlico in 2027, should construction go as planned.

Pimlico’s main grandstand and clubhouse will be demolished next month. Once Pimilico’s $400 million renovations are completed, Laurel Park will close and get a $110 million makeover, too.

Dollars and Viewers

The Preakness Stakes saw a record betting handle of $67.26 million, surpassing the previous mark set in 2021. The Kentucky Derby also had a record betting handle this year of $349 million.

TV ratings for the Preakness Stakes will be released later this week. NBC was looking to build on the momentum of the first leg of the Triple Crown, as the 17.7 million viewers watched the Kentucky Derby, the race’s highest audience since 1989.

The 2024 Preakness Stakes averaged 5.5 million viewers on NBC, which was up 7% from 2023.