Pimlico begins 35-day spring meet

Live racing in Maryland shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course Thursday for the spring meeting. The headline event of the 35-day stand is the 139th running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown on May 17. Live racing takes place four days a week on a Thursday through Sunday schedule prior to Preakness and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday (plus Memorial Day). The meet will end on June 7, Belmont Stakes Day. The opening day card features nine races, including the first two on the turf this year. First post is 1:10 p.m. (EDT). "There is a special feeling about Pimlico because of Preakness weekend but the entire meet is important to us," Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. "We are excited to use the new and improved turf course on opening day and throughout the meet. Grass racing usually means larger fields and improved handle."

The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 25 stakes races

for purses totaling $4,680,000.

Preakness day will have nine added money races, including four graded events.

In addition to the Preakness, the card features the Grade 2 Dixie Handicap and

two Grade 3 races. 2014 Preakness InfieldFest will be headlined by Grammy winner

Lorde. Additional information can be found on

www.preakness.com.

The Preakness eve card features eight stakes races, headlined by the Grade 2,

$500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the Grade 3, $300,000 Pimlico Special. The

Ultimate Girls Day Out also includes the $50,000 Hall of Fame Jockey Challenge

and the fifth annual Lady Legends For the Cure Race. Counting Crows and The Fray

will headline an afternoon concert in the infield. Additional information can be

found at

www.blackeyedsusanday.com.

In addition, Pimlico will debut a $100,000 trainer bonus on Preakness

weekend. Trainers will earn points based on finishes in 15 stakes races May

16-17:

May 16 -- Black-Eyed Susan, Pimlico Special, Miss Preakness, Jim McKay Turf

Sprint, Hilltop, Skipat, Rollicking

May 17 -- Preakness, Dixie, Maryland Sprint, Gallorette, Chick Lang, James

Murphy, Sir Barton, The Very One

Trainers will receive points for finishing first (10 points), second (7),

third (5), fourth (3) and starting a horse (1 point) in each race. The winner

will earn $50,000. Other prize money: $25,000 (second), $12,000 (third), $7,000

(fourth), $4,000 (fifth) and $2,000 (sixth). Trainers must have started five

horses in the stakes combined to be eligible.

From April 3 through May 3, any single, unique 10-cent winning ticketholder

in the Pimlico Players Jackpot Pick 5 will receive a minimum of $50,000 plus a

trip for two to the 2014 Preakness with seats in the in the Turfside Terrace

section.

The Pimlico Pick 5 is a jackpot wager that pays any carryover to a single,

unique winning ticket.

On opening day, patrons will celebrate the return of live racing with free

admission and a complimentary live program. Other highlights of the meet:

Saturday, April 5 -- Opening Saturday

Apron BBQ, free Pimlico souvenir cup giveaway good for $3 domestic drafts for

entire meet (excluding May 16-17) and chances to win upcoming Pimlico event

tickets

Sunday, April 6 -- Chasin' for Children

Kids compete on ponies in five events between races

Sunday Brunch -- April 6-June 1

Old Hilltop's famous brunch buffet with the exception of April 20 and May 18

when live racing does not occur

Saturday, April 12 & Sunday, April 13 -- Decanter Wine Festival

Fourth annual celebration of Maryland wine and Maryland racing. More info at

www.decanterwinefestival.com

Saturday, May 3 -- Kentucky Derby Day

Party on the apron

Saturday, May 10 -- Canter for the Cure

Equine enthusiasts have an opportunity to ride their horses around the famed

Pimlico main track

Sunday, May 11 -- Mother's Day Champagne Brunch

Tuesday, May 13 through Friday, May 16 -- Sunrise at Old Hilltop

See the Preakness contenders prepare for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown

as fans get the opportunity to watch morning workouts and tour the stable area.

Admission is free for the 6-9 a.m. event

Saturday, May 31 -- Racing 101

An all-day fan education experience. Advance ticket purchase required

Saturday, June 7 -- Brew and Bourbon Classic

Beer tasting, bourbon sipping, music and live racing. More info at

www.brewandbourbonclassic.com

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