G2 Black-Eyed Susan to be Part of Preakness Day Festivities

96^th Edition of Prestigious 3-Year-Old Filly Stakes Saturday, Oct. 3

50^th Pimlico Special (G3) Friday, Oct. 2 

BALTIMORE – Maryland’s most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies, the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2), will contest its 96^th renewal this year as part of the Preakness Day program Saturday, Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course.

First run in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, the 1 1/8-mile Black-Eyed Susan was originally scheduled for May 15 on the eve of the Preakness Stakes (G1), which had its 145^th edition rescheduled from May 16 to anchor a revamped Triple Crown series amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Nine horses to win the Black-Eyed Susan have gone on to be named champion 3-year-old filly including Hall of Famers Twilight Tear, Davona Dale, Serena’s Song, Silverbulletday and Royal Delta. Among other prominent winners are Hall of Famer Gallorette; Nellie Morse, the only filly to also win the Preakness, in 1924; High Voltage, Caesar’s Wish and Wide Country.

The legendary $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3), inaugurated in 1937 and the host to one of America’s most historic moments in 1938 when Seabiscuit upset War Admiral, will be run Friday, Oct. 2.

The $100,000 Weber City Miss, to be contested at 1 1/16 miles Monday, Sept. 7 at Laurel Park, will once again serve as a ‘Win and In’ race for the Black-Eyed Susan, offering automatic entry for the winner.

In all, Laurel is hosting nine $100,000 stakes on Preakness Prep Weekend as part of its extended summer meet. The Polynesian and Deputed Testamony for 3-year-olds and up and the Alma North and Twixt for fillies and mares 3 and older will be run Saturday, Sept. 5, also the date of the rescheduled Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Weber City Miss and Federico Tesio for 3-year-olds will be part of a special Labor Day program Monday, Sept. 7, with the Tesio serving as a ‘Win and In’ event for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the Preakness. Three turf stakes for 3-year-olds and up are also scheduled – the All Along for fillies and mares and the Laurel Dash and Henry S. Clark.

Nominations for all nine stakes close Wednesday, Aug. 26.

About The Stronach Group

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 company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST Racing, 1/ST Technology, 1/ST Live and 1/ST Properties 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 drives the best-in-class horse racing operations at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, and Gulfstream Park West (Florida); and Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST Technology is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX, Betmix, Monarch and XBTV brands. 1/ST Live blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality by delivering uniquely curated events such as InfieldFest and Pegasus LIV Stretch Village. 1/ST Properties is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including, The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland).  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. For more information please email david.joseph@marylandracing.com  and visit www.1st.com.