From the Vault: The Preakness Stakes
This Saturday will be the 140th running of the Preakness Race. Through all those years the second jewel in the Triple Crown has always been a big draw for crowds. Though the styles and fashion have changed through the years, the one constant has been the mystic of thoroughbred horse racing.
- Johnny Unitas, accompanied by television star Jim Nabors, goes to Pimlico winner’s circle to present trophy to winner of John Unitas Purse in second race. (Carl D. Harris/Baltimore Sun)
- Johnny Unitas waves to 1973 Preakness crowd as he’s driven down main track in tribute to him yesterday. (William H. Mortimer/Baltimore Sun)
- Secretariat wanted to run yesterday morning as exercise boy George Davis galloped him twice around the track at Pimlico. The Kentucky Derby winner is a 2-5 choice in the Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun)
- Part of the throng that attended the 1929 Preakness Stakes. (A. Aubrey Bodine/Baltimore Sun)
- King Cole (No. 5) leading in the first turn of the 1941 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun)
- The running of the 1938 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun)
- The Club House steps at Pimlico during Preakness on May 14, 1939. (Baltimore Sun)
- The crowd cheers during the 1941 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun)
- TO THE VICTOR GOES THE BLANKET–Blackeyed susans, the Maryland State flower, cover the shoulders of Assault as the champion from Texas stands in the winner’s circle after his 1946 Preakness triumph. Warren Mehrtens is acknowledging the cheers. (Baltimore Sun)
- The start at Preakness on May 20, 1951. (Frank A. Miller/Baltimore Sun)
- AT THE WIRE–Majestic Prince staves off closing bid of Art And Letters (No. 6) to win 94th running of the Preakness in 1969. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)
- Janet Davenport Phillips, Miss Preakness 1970 (Baltimore Sun)
- Governor Mandel, right, presents tropy to trainer John Jacobs while Mrs. Jacobs and jockey Edward Belmonte smile their appreciation after Personality’s victory at Preakness, May 17, 1970. (Irving Phillips/Baltimore Sun)
- CLOSE FINISH–Overall view of entire Preakness field shows narrow margin of victory for Personality over My Dad George. The rest of the field is stretched far back behind the leaders. Silent Screen (No. 2) is alone in third place. (George Cook/Baltimore Sun, 1970)
- DOWN TO THE WIRE – Personality charges toward the finish line, holding of a bid from My Dad George, clsoing along the rail for second at Pimlico. (Clarence Garrett/Baltimore Sun, 1970)
- Portable chairs, blankets and food join swarms of people at Pimlico’s grassy infield. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun, 1970)
- Among the highlights of the first Preakness Parade will be the professionally built floats. Constructed by Devere-Woodcock Co., “Holland” has been leased by a local business for the gala. (Baltimore Sun, 1972)
- Winner’s Circle: #8 Bee Bee Bee. (Carl D. Harris/Baltimore Sun, 1972)
- STRINGS AWEIGH – Teachers and children at Marley Elementary school release balloons in the annual Preakness Week carnival. The balloon that travels the farthest wins a prize for the buyer and the seller. (William Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1971)
- Billboard at Park Heights and Belevedere (Baltimore Sun, 1971)
- Bee Bee Bee breaks in front on the outside going into the first turn at Preakness. The Maryland-bred went on to a surprising win in the 97th running. (William LaForce, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
- Spectacular Bid is a good boy and takes his medications – in this case a peppermint drop – from Dr. Alex Harhill, who rode with Derby winner from Louisville to Pimlico. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun)
- Spectacular Bid, out for a walk with groom Moe Hall, seems to be saying hello Screen King on Pimlico shedrow. (Weyman Swagger/Baltimore Sun)
- The fence across from the Preakness barn honors Preakness winners and provides a rest area for Sunny’s Halo and trainer David Cross. (Pimlico track phoot, 1983)
- Kentucky Derby victor Swale is unloaded in the barn area at Pimlico Race Course. (Paul Hutchins/Balitmore Sun, 1984)
- Summer Squall gets a bath. (William G. Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1990)
- Preakness 1936 (A. Aubrey Bodine/Baltimore Sun)
- The crowd at Preakness in 1936. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- In the Pimlico grandstand, Ron and Laura Walton, of East Baltimore, study a newspaper as they look for a winner. (William G. Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- A big crowd waits for the opening of the gate at Pimlico Race Course for the 105th running of the Preakness. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- Quiet before the storm: Some entries for the second jewel of the Triple Crown peak out of the Preakenss Barn at noon on race day. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- The horses clear the starting gate at Pimlico Race Course as the first race gets underway. (AP Laserphoto, 1980)
- Assistant attorney general Frank Paugh (center) is flanked by Maryland State Racing Commission members (from left) J. Neil McCardell, Robert W. Banning, Frank W. Cuccia and Kenneth C. Proctor at the hearing at Pimlico. (Walter M. McCardell/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- May 17, 1989 – 8:45 A.M. Pimlico Road entrance to Preakness Gate opened. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun)
- Jockey Angel Cordero and Tartan Stable president-general manager John Nerud hug ecstaticaly after Codex’s victory in the Preakness. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- Actor Lorne Green and Miss Preakness Sharon Harrison, draw the post positions for the Preakenss. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- Dr. Freeland, the 1929 Preakness Winner. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Assistant trainer Antonio Paz holds Flying Nashua, who gets a bath from groom Johnnie Revera outside the Preakness barn at Pimlico. (William Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1981)
- THE CHAMP – Foolish Pleasure, Kentucky Derby winner, has a little talk with rider John Nazareth at Pimlico about the kind of race he will run in the Preakness. (George H. Cook/Baltimore Sun, 1975)
- Genuine Risk (left) and Samoyed stroll through the Preakness barn area, while in their stalls, Lucky Pluck (second left) and Colonel Moran check their rivals. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- Kentucky Derby winner Genuine Risk is in a haughty prance as she works Pimlico for the first time for exercise rider Juan Ortiz. (Baltimore Sun, 1980)
- HERO’S WELCOME – Canonero II gets a big greeting coming back up track and on the way to the Pimlico winner’s circle. (Clarence B. Garrett/Baltimore Sun, 1971)
- Riva Ridge pounding through the mud. (William L. LaForce/Baltimore Sun, 1978)
- SPLASH IN RACING WORLD – Groom Walter Flemming washes down Preakness winner Personality at Pimlico. (William Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1970)
- The Kentucky Derby already won, Pleasant Colony will repeat in the Preakness, always-ebullient trainer Johnny Campo tells the world. (William Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1981)
- I’LL GET YOU THIS TIME – Run Dusty Run (right) means business in the Preakness and glowers at Seattle Slew. (Baltimore Sun, 1977)
- Miss Preakness 1973 – Mary Stewart Kelly, a Johns Hopkins University freshman from Baltimore. (Walter M. Ball/Baltimore Sun)
- Bold Ruler at Preakness. (Baltimore Sun, 1957)
- Preakness crowd, 1937. (Baltimore Sun)
- Preakness in the 1930’s. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Coming into the homestretch during Preakness in 1934. (The A.S. Adell Company/Baltimore Sun archives)
- May 17, 1937-PREAKNESS DAY–The crowd at Preakness to see War Admiral defeat rival Pompoon. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- The crowd at Preakness in 1935. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Preakness 1937. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Burgoo King wins Preakness in 1932. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Placing bets during Preakness in 1931. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Eugene James piloted Burgoo King to victory, while Governor Albert Ritchie, Mr. Henry Horn, Democratic nominee for Governor of Illinois, and Mr. H. J. Thompson, trainer of E.R. Bradley’s winning horse, took part in the presentation of the Woodlawn Vase at the judges’ stand after the 1932 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- The infield, 1990. (Kenneth Lam/Baltimore Sun)
- Preakness Balloon Race, 1990. (Perry Thorsvik/Baltimore Sun)
- The starting gate at Preakness (Bo Rader/Baltimore Sun, 1990)
- GROOM FOR HANSEL–Saturino M. Lopez naps while Hansel enjoys the breeze from a room fan. (Baltimore Sun, 1991)
- PREAKNESS PREP–Track official Patty Kolb checks out Preakness entry Olympio by taking polaroid snapshots. (Kenneth Lam/Baltimore Sun, 1991)
- Owner John Ed Anthony, left, trainer Tom Bohannan, center, and jockey Chris McCarron, right, pose with the winner’s trophy after McCarron guided Pine Bluff to victory in the 1992 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun, 1992)
- PREAKNESS PARTY–Hal Wallace has a Preakness Party every year, and many of his college buddies come up to Baltimore for the event. (Eileen Ryan/Baltimore Sun, 1992)
- Miss Preakness 1983 – Judith O’Rourke. The 21-year-old Towson State student has been around horses all of her life. Her father, the late William W. O’Rourke, was a breeder and co-owner of O.K. Stables. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Miss Preakness 1984 – Katrina Owens. She was Miss Maryland National Teenager of 1977, Miss Baseball of 1979 and Miss Collegiate of 1980 while attending Gallaudet College. She is studying respiratory therapy at UMBC. (Baltimore Sun archives)
- Trainer Charlie Whittingham lets his Derby winning horse stop for a drink of water as the two walked around the Preakness Barn. (Bo Rader/Baltimore Sun, 1989)
- Blushing John, ridden by Pat Day crosses the finish line ahead of the field in the 24th running of the Pimlico Special. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun, 1989)
- Pam Mabes atop Hawkster gets a little air under her as Hawkster wanted to run in an early morning work out. (Bo Rader/Baltimore Sun, 1989)
- Trainer Ron McAnally with his horse Hawster after a morning gallup at Pimlico. (Bo Rader/Baltimore Sun, 1989)
- Preakness winner in 1989. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)
- Buck’s Bid loses his jockey at the start of the 1974 Preakness Stakes. (Weyman Swagger/Baltimore Sun)
- A vendor selling Black-eyed Susans at Preakness in 1973. (George H. Cook/Baltimore Sun)
- The first turn in the 1973 Preakness Stakes. Secretariat is pictured. (William H. Mortimer/Baltimore Sun)
- Field in first passes stands yesterday at Pimlico as large Preakness Day crowd watches. The turnout of 61,657 established record. (George Cook/Baltimore Sun, 1973)
- Secretariat charging towards the finish of the 1973 Preakness Stakes. (William H. Mortimer/Baltimore Sun)
- Spectators settled at a convenient curb on Howard Street to watch the legs go by during the 1976 Preakness Parade. (Irving Phillips, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
- The start of the 1978 Preakness Stakes. (Weyman Swagger/Baltimore Sun)
- Reds Horrocks, pilot of the Sunpapers balloon, turns up the gas to get over downton during the Preakness Week balloon race. (J. Pat Carter/Baltimore Sun, 1979)
- Preakness jockeys, 1954. (AP Wirephoto)
- Jockey John Adams and Hasty Road are really buddies after winning the Preakness on May 23, 1954. Hasty Road was second in the Kentucky Derby, but edged out Correlation to take the race for the Black Eyed Susans. (AP Wirephoto)
- May 23, 1954 – WINNER’S CIRCLE – Hasty Road, with Jockey Johnny Adams in the stirrups, poses in winner’s circle with Mr. and Mrs. Allie Ruben, his owners, after capturing the 78th running of the Preakness at Pimlico yesterday. Hasty Road is wearing a garland of Black-eyed Susans. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun)
- Mrs. Style Bridges with VP Richard Nixon and wife Patricia at the Preakness Stakes. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1957)
- Lou Pondfield, Miss Preakness Ann Smith, Willie Shoemaker, Mesh Tenney, Mrs Rex Ellsworth, Senator Brewster, J Samuel Pearlman, Senator Beall, Mrs Shoemaker, Rex Ellsworth. (Edward Nolan/Baltimore Sun, 1963)
- Stupendous leads Kauai King into stretch. (Paul Hutchins/Baltimore Sun, 1966)
- Preakness Trophies 1958 (Baltimore Sun)
- John Harper serenades a shy filly with his rendition of “Preakness,” a swing tune he wrote that’s playing all the doo-dah day in Baltimore (1984) w/ the Preakness approaching. (Tenney Mason/Baltimore Sun)
- Ron Franklin astride the five and one-half length Preakness winner Spectacular Bid, is led by Herman (Mo) Hall. (Handout photo, 1979)
- Kelly Hunter of Bedford NY and Loren Mitchell of Bangor Maine cheer on the horses in the Grandstand. (Mark Bugnaski/Baltimore Sun, 1993)
- “Prarie Bayou” crossing finish line. (Michael Lutzky/Baltimore Sun, 1993)
- “Union City” being bathed for the Preakness. (William G. Hotz/Baltimore Sun, 1993)
- Preakness Memorabilia from Kevin McNelis of Marriottsville, and Bob Schleigh of Monkton. (Robert K. Hamilton/Baltimore Sun, 1993)
- Benneta Bullock, from the sign shop, Dept. of Public Works, puts some finishing touches to a “Pimlico” sign being painted on Northern Parkway at the intersection with Preakness Way, near the racetrack. The signs are painted every year prior to the running of the Preakness. (Robert K. Hamilton/Baltimore Sun, 1994)
- Trainer Kristin Mulhall gets cozy with her horse “Imperialism” after the morning workout of Thursday. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
- Mike Murphy enjoys the infield scenery from atop a ladder, not missing much with his field glasses before running of the 1982 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Miss Preakness, Susan Rosenberg, waves to bystanders as a miniature jockey follows suit from a parade float as Preakness Week festivities got under way over the weekend for the1977 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Some of the 5,000 or so participants in the1976 Preakness parade marched along and tooted their horns on Howard Street and Madison yesterday as thousands more had lined the parade route to watch on a fine spring day. (William H Mortimer/Baltimore Sun(
- Dennis Posey cheers during the festivities from the infield during the 1985 Preakness race. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Race goers bring in their provisions for the day by whatever means necessary at the 1975 Preakness. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- At the 1962 Preakness in this prize winning photo finish of the Preakness, Greek Money on the right ridden by Johnny Rotz beats Ridan ridden by Manuel Ycaza (left). (Joe DiPaola, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
- A view of the first turn of Talitian King, Dark Star, Correspondent; on rail and Naive Dancer. (Joe DiPaola, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
- Presenting the historic Woodlawn Vase in 1937 to Charles E. McLane, jockey Charley Kurtsinger and Mayor Howard Jackson. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Actress Joan Crawford presents the Preakness trophy to jockey John L. Rotz, rider of 10 Greek Money the 1962 Preakness winner. (Clarence B. Garrett/ Baltimore Sun)
- Miss Augusta Poe being crowned Queen of the 1936 Preakness Ball by Alfred G. Vanderbilt at the Fifth Regiment Armory. Three thousand persons attended. Dancing went on until 4 o’clock Sunday morning. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Race goers carry an old sofa into the track loaded with drinks and food as gates to the infield open at the Pimlico Race Track for the 1986 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Effendi rushes past the grandstand on his way to victory in the 1909 Preakness, which marked its return to Pimlico. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Whirlaway at time of 1941 Preakness. Exercise rider is “Pinkie” Brown, trainer is Ben Jones. Whirlaway won the Triple Crown in 1941. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Horses head down the stretch in 1938 during 48th Preakness Stakes, the wettest on record at the time. (Baltimore Sun file photo)
- Hill Prince and Eddie Arcaro in the winner’s circle at Preakness in 1950. (Edward Nolan/Baltimore Sun)
- Sunny’s Halo led off the plane at Baltimore-Washington International Airport by groom John Sears. (Irving Phillips, Jr./Baltimore Sun, 1983)
- General Assembly seems perfectly content as he chomps away at lunch in the stall at Pimlico. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1979)
- Maryland Institute mural for Pimlico. (Joseph A. DiPaola/Baltimore Sun, 1975)