Baltimore, Maryland is home to the very famous Pimlico Racetrack. As the location for the annual Preakness Stakes, its name rings a bell to almost everyone, whether or not they are avid horse racing fans. The Pimlico name was what English settlers back in the 1660’s called the area where the racetrack currently stands, in honor of London’s Olde Ben Pimlico’s Tavern. Pimlico Racetrack officially opened in fall of 1870 for the first run of the Dinner Party Stakes. The winner was colt Preakness and in 1873, Preakness Stakes became the new name of the annual horse race in the colt’s honor. Pimlico Racetrack might be better known by its nickname “Old Hilltop” which came from the small incline in the infield where thoroughbred trainers and race enthusiasts most commonly gather. The Pimlico Special is another well known annual horse race and has been held at Pimlico Racetrack since 1937. Both horse races, the Preakness Stakes and the Pimlico Special, have a race distance of 1 and 3/16 miles. Track record holder Farma Way set the fastest time when he won the 1991 Pimlico Special. Preakness Stakes tickets allow you to see the world’s best competition in live action at one of the country’s most popular annual sporting events.

Having been around for nearly 140 years, there is no doubt that the Pimlico Racetrack has been through it all. Wars have been fought in the surrounding area, depressions and recessions have come and gone, and even the Great Fires of Baltimore and the Baltimore Riots made their pain-staking appearance. Throughout some of history’s worst times, the Pimlico Racetrack has never failed to draw people in from all over the country and other parts of the world. Its agreed upon respect is best described by Alfred G. Vanderbilt’s words, “Pimlico is more than a dirt track bounded by four streets. It is an accepted American institution, devoted to the best interests of a great sport, graced by time, respected for its honorable past.”

Pimlico Racetrack is currently owned by Magna Entertainment Corporation and continues to be the destination for hundreds of thousands of horse racing fans from various places. Today’s Pimlico Racetrack squeezes in over 120,000 horse race fans each year for Preakness Stakes with more than $87 million placed on race bets. This year’s Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 15, 2010 and is anticipated to be bigger than ever. Check out our selection of Preakness Stakes tickets so you can witness the excitement at Pimlico Racetrack for yourself!