Pimlico increases major stakes purses

by Brisnet.com

The Maryland Racing Commission approved the 2012 Pimlico Race Course racing

days and spring stakes schedule at its monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon. The

headline event of the eight-week meeting is the 137th running of the Grade 1, $1

million Preakness, the middle jewel of the famed Triple Crown, on May 19.

The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 22 stakes races

for purses of $3.425 million, an increase of $525,000. Preakness weekend

features 16 stakes races for $3 million.

The Preakness undercard features seven other stakes races, including four

graded races. The purse for the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes has been increased from

$200,000 to $300,000 and the Grade 3 Gallorette Handicap goes from $100,000 to

$150,000.

The May 18 card features eight stakes races, six for fillies and mares,

highlighted by the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan for three-year-old fillies. The

purse for the Black-Eyed Susan was increased to $300,000. The Preakness eve card

also includes the return of the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special, which has run

just once since 2007. The Special replaces the William Donald Schaefer in the

stakes lineup and inherits its Grade 3 ranking.

"Having a strong stakes schedule at Pimlico is important," Maryland Jockey

Club president Tom Chuckas said. "The return of the Special combined with the

purse increases for the Black-Eyed Susan, Dixie and six other stakes races over

Preakness weekend improves our profile. We are working hard to make the other

races desirable to the horsemen and bettors. Increased purses will hopefully

lead to larger fields and more wagering."

One other modification is that the name of the Federico Tesio has been

changed to Canonero II, after the 1971 Preakness winner. The $75,000 stakes for

three-year-olds will be run May 5.

The Pimlico spring stand will begin March 30 with live racing taking place

four days a week on a Thursday through Sunday schedule (with holiday

exceptions). The 29-day meet will end with the Preakness day card.