The 151st Preakness Festival is coming to the Maryland Jockey Club in Laurel Park on May 16. The major horse racing event normally held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland has transitioned to Laurel Park while the venue undergoes a $500 million renovation, presenting a rare and exciting opportunity for Prince George’s County.
“With Preakness being held at Laurel Park it means a lot to the area, although the track is just outside Prince George’s,” says County Executive Aisha Braveboy. “Because many people in Laurel are already from Prince George’s County, the people there are looking forward to the event.”
The Significance of Preakness in Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County is no stranger to horse racing. In fact, the county has a deep history that dates back to the colonial era. “Prince George’s County has a long and storied history when it comes to the equine industry, specifically with thoroughbred horses,” says Braveboy. “The first thoroughbred horses to arrive from England were brought to Prince George’s County, specifically the Belair Mansion and Stable, which is located in Bowie, Maryland and is known as the cradle of the thoroughbred industry in the country.”
The Belair Mansion and Stable was the home of the Belair Stud, a major thoroughbred breeding farm, where African American trainers, jockeys and grooms were vital to the industry. Many of the original jockeys in the county were also African American, having collectively won 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derbies.
For over two centuries, this estate produced legendary champions, including two Triple Crown winners, Gallant Fox and Omaha, cementing the county’s reputation as a premier destination for elite racing stock.
Rediscovering and Leveraging Horse Racing History
The county hopes that the 151st Preakness Festival at Laurel Park helps residents of Prince George’s County rediscover their roots in horse racing. “We are working on ways to leverage this history and lean in more to this industry to bring more events and opportunities to the area,” says Braveboy. “One way the county is doing this is by introducing the youth in the community to horse racing and horses for competitive and therapeutic reasons.” The county also aims to work to position itself as a destination for major equestrian events and tourism.
Preakness Festival 151 Events and Celebrations
There will be several events taking place in Prince George’s County to celebrate Preakness 151. Here are some of the ways you can celebrate:
- National Harbor: There will be a Preakness celebration at National Harbor, which will include watching the races on the Jumbotron at the inner harbor.
- Local Restaurants: Participating restaurants at the National Harbor will have curated “Black Eyed Susan” cocktail drinks with Preakness-themed menu items and will also host watch parties.
- Tom’s Watchbar
- The Walrus
- Succotash
- Brian Westbrook Foundation: Youth Equestrian Expo: The Brian Westbrook Foundation will host a Youth Horse Farm Festival and will include equestrian team performances, jumping, reining and dressage show, hands-on workshops and more.
- Small Businesses: Several small businesses in the county will also be celebrating the event:
- Arthur Wheeler Distillery: This African American-owned brand will be hosting a watch party at its distillery and lounge.
- Cleopatra Wine and Vineyard: This vineyard, which is the first African woman-owned vineyard in the country, will also be hosting watch events for Preakness.
While this will likely be a one-time event for Laurel Park, it will be a memorable one for the people of Prince George’s County and beyond.
