First Half for '20 Maryland Stakes Anchored by Preakness

A total of 38 stakes, 11 graded, worth $6.325 million in purses, have been scheduled through mid-May 2020 at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, highlighted by the 145th running of the $1.5-million GI Preakness S., the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday.

The Preakness will anchor a blockbuster program of 10 stakes worth $2.75 million on the third Saturday in May that also includes the GII Dixie S., GIII Chick Lang S., GIII Gallorette S. and GIII Maryland Sprint S. Maryland's traditional hometown Preakness prep, the 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio S. Saturday, Apr. 18, received a $75,000 purse boost to $200,000 and remains a 'Win and In' event for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the Preakness.

“We feel we have adjusted and improved our stakes schedule for the first half of 2020,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club. “We've increased the purse of the Tesio, a 'Win and In' for the 145th Preakness, to $200,000 and we've given horsemen some additional incentives to run the weekend of the Preakness.”

Click here for the complete stakes schedule.