Preakness Stakes 2021 Date Is Set

BALTIMORE, MD - The Preakness Stakes is set for May 15, according to organizers.

Due to the coronavirus, the race was postponed to Oct. 3 last year, when Swiss Skydiver became the sixth filly in race history to win the Preakness.

The Preakness is slated to return to its traditional May spot on the calendar at Pimlico Race Course, as the Maryland Jockey Club on Thursday announced the middle jewel of the Triple Crown was set for Saturday, May 15.

The Black-Eyed Susan race will take place Friday, May 14.

Tickets have not yet gone on sale for the Preakness, the Maryland Jockey Club reported Thursday. Currently, it is hosting live races at Laurel Park through March 28 as part of its winter meet.

"Ticket information for Preakness Day and Black-Eyed Susan Day will be announced shortly," the jockey club said in a statement March 11.

Gov. Larry Hogan on Tuesday announced the state would ease capacity restrictions at outdoor and indoor venues, including Camden Yards and Pimlico Race Course, effective Friday, March 12.

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott said he was seeking guidance from various experts in determining how to proceed.

"My office will work with the Baltimore City Health Department and the Law Department to review the Governor's executive order and determine the best path forward," Scott said Tuesday.

Two days later, his office issued a statement indicating restrictions may not ease in Baltimore as they do in the rest of the state.

“The numbers and public health indicators clearly do not warrant a reopening at the Governor’s pace at this time," Stefanie M. Mavronis, spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Scott, said in a statement Thursday, March 11. "The Mayor remains confident in Baltimore’s authority to maintain the common sense, local public health mandates currently in place as we continue to navigate this pandemic."

In the past year, Baltimore has typically taken a more restrictive position than the state as a result of the coronavirus, keeping restaurants at a lower capacity and at one point around the winter holidays, closing bars and restaurants to in-person service.

While jurisdictions have had authority to be more restrictive, Hogan said Tuesday: "My advice would be that they should follow the state guidance. It's been very confusing with a patchwork of different people changing the rules or not being in alignment with one another."

In his latest executive order, the governor stated: "All Local Orders ... shall become null and void" that are more restrictive than state orders, including orders that require businesses, organizations, establishments, or facilities (except schools) to close or modify their operations; and/or require individuals to remain indoors or to refrain from congregating.

For the latest on Charm City's response to the coronavirus, get Baltimore Patch news alerts.

See Also:

• Baltimore Mayor Responds To Statewide COVID-19 Restriction Shift
• No Fans At Preakness Stakes For 2020
• Preakness Stakes 2020 Winner Is Swiss Skydiver
• Limits On MD Dining, Bars, Gyms End Soon; Camden Yards Can Open