There are more than just Preakness Stakes odds to enjoy with the second race in horse racing’s Triple Crown. There is also plenty of pageantry and tradition. Preakness Stakes odds may focus on a horse trying to win the first Triple Crown since 1978 but the Preakness is about much more than the race.
The winning horse of the Preakness Staks is draped with a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans. The blanket is 18×90 inches in size and is made by three people that need a full two days to complete the beautiful masterpiece. The Black-Eyed Susan blanket is comprised of more than 80 bunches of Viking daises that are weaved by wire into the matte. Black-Eyed Susans actually do not bloom in Maryland until June so daises are used and then daubed with black lacquer to recreate the appearance.
Black-eyed Susans are said to have 13 petals, which represent the 13 original colonies of what is now the United States. Maryland was among the original 13 and the colors of the flower represent the state’s black and yellow colors in its flag. The Woodlawn Vase Trophy is awarded to the winning owner of the Preakness Stakes and is a sterling replica of the original trophy that was designed by Tiffany and Company in 1860. The Woodlawn Vase Trophy is worth $30,000.
Before the running of the Preakness Stakes, the Maryland state song, “Maryland, My Maryland” is sung by the United States Navy Glee Club. The tradition began in 1909 when the track bugler began to play the song and the crowd joined in.
One of the great traditions in all of sports is the painting of the weather vane at the Pimlico Race Course. The horse that beat the Preakness Stakes odds will have its winning color of silks painted on the weather vane as soon as the Preakness Stakes winner is officially posted. It will remain there for a full year until the following Preakness Stakes champion horse is blanketed in Black-Eyed Susans.
Preakness Stakes betting is also known as being the “People’s Race” in which a boisterous and party like atmosphere takes place in the infield, where many young people are known to enjoy the day drinking and listening to bands that perform on stages throughout the infield. It is a much more casual and less formal atmosphere than the Kentucky Derby.