Unlike the conditions that prevailed May 1 in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the May 15 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) will likely be contested over a fast track.
On Derby day at Churchill Downs, there were monsoon-like conditions in the morning and the day’s races were run on a sloppy track, though the sun did break through just prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby.
The forecast for Baltimore, Md., where the Preakness will be run at Pimlico Race Course, is for only a 10% chance of precipitation and a high temperature of 78 degrees. Sunrise is scheduled for 5:53 a.m. EDT Preakness Day, with an 8:13 p.m. sunset.
The forecast is not so favorable for the May 14 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II), the filly counterpart to the Preakness. According to Weather.com, there is a 30% chance of precipitation in Baltimore that day, with isolated thunderstorms predicted. The high temperature is forecast to be 83 degrees.
