Preakness Stakes: The History of Pimlico

For more than a century, the Pimlico Race Course has hosted the legendary sport of horse racing. Opened in October 1870, the race fans have witnessed such legendary horses are Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Man 'O' War and Citation thunder down its home stretch. This April, Pimlico, the second oldest racetrack in America, will serve again as the Home of the Preakness Stakes. And, it all began with a boast and an idea at a dinner party.

In the beginning, Maryland Governor Oden Bowie was attending a dinner party in Saratoga, home of the Nation's first horse racetrack. He suggested the idea for another track. He and his pals, prominent racing enthusiasts, made a bet to run a race in two years agreed to have a race in two years time for yearlings. The loser would have to host a dinner for the winner. Saratoga offered to host the event. The American Jockey Club also made a bid. However, anxious about the bet, Governor Bowie pledged that he would build a model track in his home state of Maryland.

The Maryland Jockey Club, to which the Governor was a prominent member, began construction of Pimlico on 70 acres west of Jones Falls. The track, which was one mile in length, was shaped like an oval and was 70 feet wide. Today the track also has a seven furlong (7/8 of a mile) turf oval track.

And as for the name, the was simple. The site of the construction had been called Pemblicoe, as listed on its English charter grant; however, many of the folks that settled in the area recalled a famous stomp from old London called the Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern. So the name, Pimlico stuck.

The boastful Governor's race, called the Dinner Party Stakes were held on October 27, 1873. The first stakes winner was a yearling named Preakness, who was the son of Lexington. Several of stakes followed- the Supper, Breakfast and Bowie Stakes. Harry Bassett won the Supper Stakes and Glenelg won both the Breakfast and Bowie Stakes. And by 1873, the Preakness Stakes, named in honor of the races' first winner, premiered at Pimlico.

Horseracing at Pimlico was herald as some of the best. In 1977, the House of Representatives adjourned early to watch the hotly contested race between Parole, Ten Broeck and Tom Cohilltree, which was referred to as "The Great Race." Parole took the purse.

In 1889, the Maryland Jockey Club, which helped finance the building of Pimlico, abandoned the track. Other groups used the track occasionally, but not to the same extent as the Maryland Jockey Club. Fire destroyed the tracks grandstand in 1894 and American troops trained for the Spanish American War in the Pimlico infield in 1898. Still, no racing.

In 1904, Pimlico was sold to William R. Hammond, who wanted to revitalize racing at Pimlico again. While it may not have been a horse, it had horsepower. That same year, Emmanuele Cedrino set a new world car record for the mile on the Pimlico track. He raced to :51 seconds. By 1909, the Preakness returned and interest in horse racing surged. The Black Eyed Susan Race was added in 1919, the same year Sir Barton became the first Kentucky Derby winner.

The likes of Man 'O' War and his progeny began their reigns at the Pimlico. In 1938, War Admiral, Triple Crown winner sired by Man-O-War, raced Seabiscuit in the "Match of the Century." The race was hosted at Pimlico!

As time has passed, the racetrack has been upgraded and improved. Also as time passed, fan bases and interest in the sport grew. Ownership has passed many hands and the track faced Chapter 11 bankruptcy 2009; however, what can be said is that Pimlico is a survivor. And as it has for over 100 years, Pimlico will play host to the Preakness Stakes on May 15, 2010.

When one considers the history of horse racing in America, Pimlico cannot be excluded. Many of the sports legendary matches were hosted by the favored track. Pimlico is as much an American institution as baseball or as apple pie.

For more information about Pimlico, its events and its history, check out the following links:

http://www.preakness.com/

http://www.pimlico.com/