Preakness 146 Sets Horse Racing Wagering Record of $112 MILLION

May 18th, 2021

Rombauer Wins the Second Leg of the Triple Crown

Legendary #ClubQuarantine DJ D-Nice, 2 Chainz and Major Lazer Headline Preakness LIVE

Preakness Stakes Mints First Collection of NFTs Commemorating the 15 Most Historic Races in 

Preakness History

What:  Preakness 146

Where: Pimlico Race Course (Baltimore, Maryland)

When: Saturday, May 15, 2021

1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club celebrated the return of live entertainment by welcoming 10,000 fans to Preakness 146 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 15. The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crownand the signature race in the state of Maryland made history with a record setting handle of $112 million wagered on the 14-race card, surpassing the past wagering record of $99.85 million wagered in 2019. Today’s record comes on the heels of the record $27.6 million handle wagered on Black-Eyed Susan Day on Friday, May 14.

Rombauer, owned by John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin, ridden byjockey Flavien Prat and trained by Michael McCarthy, were presented with the Woodlawn Vase for their first-place finish in the 146th Preakness Stakes (GI), completing the 1 3/16-mile race in 1 minute and 53 seconds. Midnight Bourbon finished second and Medina Spirit took third.

Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of1/ST, hosted VIP guests in the 1/ST Chalet including Grammy Award-winning rapper 2 Chainz, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey,contestant of The Bachelor franchise Tyler Cameron and his girlfriend Camila Kendra, to name just a few. All enjoyed spectacular finish line views from the two-story glass chalet located next to the Winner’s Circle. 

“Preakness 146 surpassed all expectations!” said Belinda Stronach. “We thank our fans in attendance and those at home, our stakeholders, jockeys and the community for their ongoing support and passion for our sport. The team at 1/ST did an outstanding job of putting together an exceptional racing and entertainment program and we look forward to welcoming all fans back in 2022.”

Replacing the tradition of InfieldFest for this year, 3,000 fans attended Preakness LIVE, a reimagined entertainment experience featuring an all-star lineup of performances by legendary #ClubQuarantine DJ, D-Nice,NAACP Image Awards Entertainer Of The Year, 2 Chainz,Grammy Award-winning rapper and Billboard Award Winner Major Lazer. The front rows were reserved exclusively for 200 first responders and frontline workers. Excerpts of Preakness LIVE performances were shown on NBC during the live race day broadcast while D-Nice live streamed his performance on #ClubQuarantine. In addition to the live music excitement of Preakness LIVE, the Preakness 146 JockeyCam was live streamed @PreaknessStakes and offered a thrilling “second screen experience” that gave fans at home a real-time view of what it is like to be a jockey riding in the Preakness Stakes. 

A first-of-its kind in Thoroughbred racing, this year’s Preakness commemorated its incredible 146-year legacy with an exclusive line of limited edition NFTs. The Preakness NFT collection features full race clips from some of the biggest races in Preakness history, giving fans and collectors the opportunity to own official Preakness races as exclusive 1-of-1 NFTs. Immediately following Rombauer’s victory, the Preakness became the fastest professional sports organization, team, or athlete to mint an NFT following a sporting event. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the NFTs will benefit The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The Preakness Stakes NFT auction runs to Sunday, May 16th at 9:00 p.m. ET on PreaknessStakesNFT.com. 

Guests at Preakness 146 enjoyed Jackson Family Wines, including Kendall Jackson and La Crema, the official wine partner of this year’s race. La Crema had an immersive wine tasting experience offering multiple wine varietals in Govino wine glasses at the top of the stretch near Turfside Terrace. Additional drink options included Ketel One Botanical, complete with a photo wall, Maker’s Mark, the official bourbon of the Black-Eyed Susan cocktail and Coors Light. In keeping with COVID-19 health and safety protocols, GoVaxMd masks were seen throughout the facility and guests were shuttled in safety by Charm City Cars. 

ANECDOTES: 

  • D-Nice brought his legendary #ClubQuarantine to his largest live-crowd to date since the pandemic, and celebrities such as Golden Globe award winning actress Sharon Stone and Grammy Award winning producer, Timbaland, tuned into the IG live broadcast of his performance 
  • 2 Chainz was spotted wearing his trademark – a lot of chains. He also teased new music during his set and was game to take audience member phones for selfies
  • Similar to 2019’s parachute jump, Diplo of Major Lazer made an attention grabbing-entrance. This time, the DJ arrived shirtless and in his camo crocs to the Preakness VIP red carpet. The multi-platinum selling group later surprised Preakness LIVE guests and brought Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa on stage for a song. Quickly jetting off after their set, Major Lazer hopped on a flight to Fort Lauderdale for their next socially distant show, slated for only a few hours later
  • Tyler Cameron and Camila Kendra dancing to Major Lazer and placing bets in the chalet
  • Baltimore Ravens players Marlon Humphrey, Jaylon Ferguson, LJ Fort enjoying the races from  the balcony of 1/ST Chalet, among a crew of other NFL players
  • Maryland Governor Larry Hogan met with guests and presented the Woodlawn Vase to Rombauer and the winning connections of the 146th Preakness Stakes (GI)
  • Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joined D-Nice on stage during his set and requested the DJ to play Wu-Tang Clan. The two later teamed up again for the iconic call to action, Riders Up

FINAL NOTABLE ATTENDEES LIST:

EVENT HOST:

  • Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of 1/ST
    • Ranked #2 by Fortune Magazine in its annual list of the world’s most powerful women in business, one of the world’s 100 most influential people by TIME magazine,and one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women

ENTERTAINMENT GUESTS:

  • D-Nice, #ClubQuarantine DJ + Preakness LIVE Performer 
  • 2 Chainz, Grammy Award-winning rapper,NAACP Image Awards Entertainer Of The Year + Preakness LIVE Performer 
  • Major Lazer, Billboard Music Award Winner + Preakness LIVE Performer 

TV PERSONALITIES:

  • Tyler Cameron,The Bachelor Franchise 
  • Camila Kendra,Model

ATHLETES & SPORTS INDUSTRY GUESTS: 

  • Baltimore Ravens players:
    • Marlon Humphrey (#44, cornerback)
    • Jaylon Ferguson (#45, outside linebacker)
    • LJ Fort (#58, linebacker)
    • Aaron Adeoye (#51, linebacker)
    • Chuck Clark (#36, safety)
    • Jameel McClain (former player)
  • Brian Poli-Dixon (former NFL player and artist)
  • Freddie Mitchell (former NFL player, Philadelphia Eagles)