Pimlico Announces Stakes Schedule

Pimlico announced it will run 27 stakes races (11 graded) for purses of $4,235,000. during its spring meeting that opens April 2.

Fourteen of the added-money races, including 10 of the graded stakes, are slated for Preakness week, including eight on Preakness Day, May 17.

The grade I Pimlico Special returns after a one-year hiatus and will be held on May 16, the same day as the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) and three other added money races. The Special's $600,000 purse will help make the day the second biggest on the Maryland racing scene, surpassing Maryland Million Day.

In other news, the Maryland Million will return to Laurel Park after a two-year stint at Pimlico on Oct. 11. Introduced in 1986, the Maryland Million, a program of races for the offspring of Maryland-based stallions only, has been duplicated by 19 other states.

The current Laurel winter meet will conclude its 13-week run on March 30.