What: Preakness 147 and InfieldFest
Where: Pimlico Race Course (Baltimore, Maryland)
When: Saturday, May 21, 2022
Early Voting, owned by Baltimore’s Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Jose Ortiz, won Saturday’s 147th running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, at the legendary Pimlico Race Course. On Friday, May 20, the 98th George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes was won by Flurry Racing Stables’ Interstatedaydream, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Florent Geroux.
Early Voting’s Preakness Stakes win punctuated a weekend of celebrations that included world-class Thoroughbred racing, entertainment, culinary experiences and visual arts. Preakness-goers enjoyed InfieldFest performances by GRAMMY Award-winning duo The Chainsmokers, GRAMMY Award-winner Marshmello, and acclaimed DJ and Producer Frank Walker.
“On behalf of 1/ST, I would like to thank everyone who came out to enjoy Preakness 147 celebrations and for bringing an energy and excitement that made this event the hottest ticket in town, literally!,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, 1/ST. “This year’s success would not have been possible without the collaborative spirit of our stakeholders, partners, and the tremendous efforts of Kevin Liles and Mayor Brandon Scott. Collectively we put Baltimore 1/ST and proved, once again, that the Preakness is truly second to none!”
This year’s reimagined festivities designed to reduce the event footprint for a fresh, post pandemic guest experience welcomed 60,000+ who wagered over $130 million on one of the hottest May days on record. Refreshed hospitality included Finish Line Suites with premium views of the homestretch from the second floor of Turfside Terrace, and Home Stretch Suites along the final turn.
Belinda Stronach hosted VIP guests in the 1/ST Chalet, with attendees including Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, Cal Ripken, Cassie Fine, Bobby Flay, Gayle King, Carson Kressley and Katharine
McPhee, who performed the National Anthem after a roaring Northrop B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber flyover. The B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber is a symbol of American Air Power and the legacy of the men and women of America’s premier Bomb Wings – The 509th Bomb Wing and The Missouri Air National Guard 131st Bomb Wing.
Guests were also treated to a gastronomic experience, with culinary offerings by acclaimed celebrity chefs Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, and Gail Simmons, as well as the curated Restaurant Row, featuring beloved Baltimore eateries Crust by Mack, Fishnet and Brookside Market, among others.
The inaugural Preakness LIVE Culinary, Art & Music Festival on Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Day, was created in partnership with Kevin Liles, Chairman and CEO, 300 Entertainment and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. Preakness LIVE Culinary, Art & Music Festival was the first event to take place as part of a holistic new campaign, Baltimore 1/ST that heralds Preakness’ lifelong home of Baltimore. Preakness LIVE featured performances by Grammy Award winning artists Ms. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion, NAACP Image Award winner D-Nice, and Baltimore-bred talent Brittney Spencer, Darin Atwater & the Soulful Symphony, plus a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by WanMor, and the Morgan State Marching Band who wowed the crowd with their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Master Blaster and called Rider’s Up in unison. In addition to the performances, Preakness LIVE included culinary demonstrations by Colicchio, Samuelsson and Simmons, who were joined by local Baltimore chefs Saon Brice, Jasmine Norton and Keyia Yalcin. A celebration of the vibrant Baltimore art scene was on display in Derrick Adam’s The Last Resort Garden pop-up located in the infield.
Guests at Preakness weekend enjoyed custom cocktails by Diageo liquors like the Bulleit Bourbon Black–Eyed Susan cocktail and sips by Pepsico like Rockstar Energy Drink before stopping by Davidoff Cigars’ “Cut & Light” station. Guests also took a ride on the PATRÓN Tequila stationary bike blenders to work off a few extra calories before indulging in the culinary delights offered in Restaurant Row. Topping off the experience was a visit to Coors Light’s classic Silver Bullet airstream and an up-close look at Case IH’s vintage and modern-day tractors used to groom Pimlico’s dirt track.
For this year’s InfieldFest, 1/ST partnered with Vet Tix, an organization dedicated to supporting and honoring troops and veterans by providing positive life experiences. Five hundred tickets to the event were distributed. The Social Group, a longtime preferred vendor of 1/ST, generously donated 100 of those tickets. In addition, 1/ST partnered with Park Heights Renaissance to distribute 500 tickets to the Park Heights community, 250 for Preakness LIVE and 250 for InfieldFest.
For more information visit www.preakness.com or @PreaknessStakes on social.
ANECDOTES:
FINAL CELEBRITY LIST: EVENT HOST:
● Belinda Stronach, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & 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.
SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT GUESTS:
● The Brand Guild, preakness@thebrandguild.com