MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB CONTINUES TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES THROUGH RETURN OF “PREAK WEEKS”

April 15th, 2024

Participating businesses reward lucky patrons with “Ultimate Preakness Experience”
and receive proceeds from ticket sales leading up to Preakness 149

 

Baltimore, Md. – As part of its Baltimore 1/ST campaign championing the Preakness’ hometown connections to Baltimore, the Maryland Jockey Club, in partnership this year with Heidi Klotzman’s HeidnSeek Entertainment, today announced the return of its Preak Weeks initiative.

 

Each day, from April 26 through May 17, one of 22 participating businesses will give away to a lucky set of customers the “Ultimate Preakness Experience,” a four-pack of tickets to Preakness 149 that includes access to this year’s Preakness Live festivities. In addition, each participating business will receive a custom QR code for Preakness 149 ticket sales at 10% off and will receive 10% of all proceeds made through their individual code.

 

“We introduced Baltimore 1/ST in 2022 with the goal of enhancing the Preakness’ impact on Baltimore. Following the success of last year’s Preak Weeks, we are thrilled to continue supporting these independent – and often small, BIPOC- and women-owned – businesses,” said Audra Madison, director of marketing for the Maryland Jockey Club. “This year, participating business owners will also receive tickets to experience Preakness, many for the first time, deepening their connection to this iconic event.”

 

The public is encouraged to patronize the establishments – ranging from restaurants and cafes to boutiques and community organizations – throughout the three-week promotion, both as a show of support to Baltimore-based businesses and for a chance to win or purchase their tickets through the custom QR codes. No purchase is necessary to win the tickets.

 

The businesses participating in the second-annual Preak Weeks, including six returning from last year’s inaugural initiative (designated with an *), are:

 

  1. Art of Balance Wellness Spa (Federal Hill)*
  2. Baja Tap Restaurant (Fells Point)
  3. Black Acres Coffee (Downtown)*
  4. Blk Swan Restaurant (Harbor East)
  5. Christopher Schafer (Canton)*
  6. Citron Baltimore (Pikesville)
  7. DifferentRegard Boutique (Mt. Vernon)
  8. Greedy Reads (Fells Point)
  9. Jody Davis Designs (Downtown)
  10. Katwalk Boutique (Fells Point)
  11. LifeMed Institute (Lutherville)
  12. Nick’s Fish House (South Baltimore)
  13. NOLA Seafood and Spirits (Federal Hill)*
  14. Prima Dopa Cucina & Cocktail House (Fells Point)
  15. Prim & Proper Restaurant (Downtown)
  16. Reginald F. Lewis Museum (Downtown)*
  17. Sassanova Bouqiue (Harbor East)
  18. ish Beauty Spa Lounge (Pikesville)
  19. The Doll House Boutique (Mt. Vernon)
  20. The QG Grooming (Downtown)
  21. The Urban Oyster (Hampden)
  22. Vinyl and Pages Record & Bookstore (Mt. Vernon)*

 

“I am so happy to partner with the Maryland Jockey Club for this year’s Preak Weeks,” said Klotzman. “This initiative not only celebrates the spirit of Preakness but also shines a spotlight on the vibrant local businesses that make Baltimore unique.”

 

All participating businesses, and access to their websites for additional details, can be found online starting today at: https://www.preakness.com/preakweeks. The participating business of the day will be prominently featured on the Preak Weeks homepage. A full calendar of the promotion, noting which business will be highlighted and giving away tickets on which day, can also be found on the site.

 

In raising awareness of local businesses and giving back proceeds from Preakness 149 ticket sales, the Baltimore 1/ST campaign highlights entrepreneurial and cultural excellence. Projects like Preak Weeks, which celebrates Baltimore’s diverse and enterprising spirit, are components of Baltimore 1/ST – a campaign launched in 2022 by The Stronach Group’s 1/ST brand in collaboration with Baltimore’s Kevin Liles, Chairman & CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment, Co-Founder & CEO of 300 Entertainment, and Head of 300 Studios, and in consultation with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott – to champion the event’s connection to Baltimore by leveraging the Preakness platform to highlight the city’s rich entertainment, arts and community culture.

 

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About The Stronach Group and 1/ST   

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment and real estate development company with Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core.  The Stronach Group’s 1/ST business (pronounced “First”) is North America’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering company and includes the 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY and 1/ST EXPERIENCE businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing on and off the track. The Stronach Group’s TSG Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, play and work communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).

For more information, visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

About the Maryland Jockey Club   

Established in 1743, the Maryland Jockey Club was founded over 30 years before the start of the Revolutionary War and is chartered as the oldest sporting organization in North America. Maryland’s “gem,” the Maryland Jockey Club is the premier sports and entertainment destination for world-class Thoroughbred horse racing between Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C. Maryland Jockey Club operates Pimlico Race Course – home of the world-famous Preakness Stakes – and Laurel Park Race Course. For more information, please visit www.marylandjockeyclub.com.

 

Media Contact:

Amy Burke Friedman, PROFILES, afriedman@profilespr.com