The Preakness Moves to a New Home: Historic Baltimore Horse Race Relocates for First Time in 117 Years

After more than 100 years at its longtime Baltimore home, the Preakness Stakes is officially heading to a new racetrack for the first time in more than a century. The iconic Maryland horse race, which has been nicknamed "the second jewel of the Triple Crown," will temporarily relocate from the Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park for its 151st running on May 16, as massive redevelopment efforts continue at Pimlico. The move marks the first time since 1909 that the prestigious race will not be held at Pimlico, which has served as the event’s primary home for the past 115 years.

It is not, however, the first time that the race has been relocated. Though it was established at Pimlico in 1873, when it was named after a horse that had claimed victory in the track's inaugural race three years earlier, the Preakness moved to a new home in Westchester County after 16 years in Baltimore. The race moved again in 1894, when it was held at a track in Brooklyn , where it remained until 1908, when its homecoming was finally announced.

It returned to Pimlico in 1909, where it has been held ever since. After more than 150 years at its longtime Baltimore home, the Preakness Stakes is officially heading to a new racetrack for the first time in more than a century. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) While the latest venue shift is temporary, the change represents one of the most dramatic shakeups in modern Triple Crown history.

Maryland officials previously approved a sweeping redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing Pimlico through a roughly $400 million renovation project. It includes demolishing the aging grandstand and rebuilding large portions of the historic racetrack. As construction ramps up, Laurel Park, which is located roughly 30 miles south of Baltimore, will serve as the temporary home for the nationally televised race.