The race portion of the telecast from 6-7 p.m. EDT earned a 5.5 rating and a 13 share, down from 6.0/14 in 2011. Each ratings point equals approximately 770,000 households. The share represents the percentage of televisions that were tuned into the program.

It should be noted that overnight ratings for the May 5 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) were also down, but the national ratings turned out to be better than year-ago figures.

The Preakness registered a 16.5/36 in its home market of Baltimore, off from last year’s 18.0/36. In the New York market, where I’ll Have Another will vie for the Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), the Preakness earned a 7.0/17, down from 7.6/18 in 2011.