No Fans At Preakness Stakes For 2020

BALTIMORE, MD — Fans will not be allowed at the running of the Preakness Stakes in 2020, organizers said Wednesday. The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club cited safety in making the call to move forward without people in the stands for the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

“While we had hoped to be able to welcome fans as we have for the past 145 years, the health and safety of our guests, horsemen, riders, team members and the community at large is, and will always be, our top priority," said Belinda Stronach, chair and president of The Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico.

Only essential racing personnel and horsemen will be allowed at Pimlico Race Course on the day of the race, which will follow all precautions and safeguards ordered at state, county, local and federal levels.

Preakness, which started in 1873, is normally held on the third Saturday in May — two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. It was originally postponed from May to October.

Those who have purchased tickets can transfer them to the 2021 event or apply for a full refund. For information about refund options, visit www.preakness.com, email tickets@preakness.com or call 1-877-206-8042 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Preakness will feature an all-stakes program with $3.35 million in purses, including the 96th running of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and it will be the first time the winner of any Triple Crown race will qualify for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November as part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series, organizers say.

People can bet on the races using the 1/ST BET app.

The Preakness 145 will be broadcast live on NBC from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

See Also:

• Ravens To Start Season With No Fans At M&T Bank Stadium
• Baltimore Not Moving Into Stage 3 Of Reopening
• 145th Preakness Stakes To Be Held In October