Maryland horse racing revolves around the Preakness Stakes. It’s the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, and the 2022 renewal is set for Saturday, May 21, at Pimlico Race Course.
While that’s the biggest event on the Maryland horse racing calendar, it’s not a one-day season. There are plenty of ways you can prepare for the Preakness, and we’ll examine some of them in this article.
Don’t rest on Laurel
Located just a few miles north of Washington, D.C., Laurel Park is currently hosting its spring meet. In April, they’ll race Thursday through Sunday each week, save for Easter on Sunday, April 17.
There are several important stakes races coming up this month. On Saturday, April 16, 3-year-olds will go postward for the Federico Tesio Stakes. This is seen as the main local prep for the Preakness. The winning horse, in fact, receives a fees-paid berth to that event.
Fans also won’t want to miss the following Saturday card on April 23. That program boasts five stakes races, including one named for a local legend. The King Leatherbury Stakes honors the Hall of Fame trainer who won a total of 45 training titles at Laurel and Pimlico.
That race, and several others on the card, are part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships, or MATCH Series. The series returned in 2018 and goes throughout the year. At the end of the series, the leading owners and trainers in each division receive cash awards.
Watch and wager from anywhere in Maryland
Maryland online sports betting is set to launch in the future. However, advance-deposit wagering on horse racing is legal in the state. You can watch and wager on Maryland horse racing (and racing from around the country) on your computer, tablet, or phone.
In addition to an online service and an app, TVG also has a pair of television networks. TVG and TVG2 are available through cable providers and the Watch TVG app. That app can be downloaded to Amazon, Apple TV, and Roku devices.
Other ADW platforms include TwinSpires, 1/ST BET, and NYRA Bets. You can also watch live horse racing on “America’s Day at the Races,” shown on the Fox Sports family of networks and the New York Racing Association YouTube channel.
More on Maryland horse racing
Laurel Park’s spring meet ends on Sunday, May 8. Pimlico’s annual meet begins on Thursday, May 12, and ends on Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day).
The Preakness, of course, is an event onto itself. More than 100,000 people venture to the track known as Old Hilltop for a day of racing and celebration.
The party includes a music festival in the infield. This year’s headline acts are Marshmallo and The Chainsmokers. NBC’s live broadcast from Pimlico includes the latter performance, and more acts may be added as the event draws closer.
Head over to Playfecta for horse racing news, handicapping tips, and weekly analysis of big races you won’t want to miss.
