The Preakness Stakes: Invitations, Traditions, and Party Ideas

Preakness Stakes Party Invitations

Get the race started with fabulous party invitations that get your guests enticed and excited to attend your party.

Preakness Stakes Food Traditions

Here are a few ideas and recipes you can serve at your Preakness Party:
  • Hot Crab Dip
  • Maryland Crab Cakes
  • Crab Soup
  • Oysters
  • Steamed Spiced Shrimp (steam, toss with Old Bay seasoning)
  • Maryland Beaten Biscuits
  • Smith Island Cake
  • Lady Baltimore Cake
  • Berger Cookies

Preakness Stakes Traditions and History

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland is the site of the Preakness Stakes.  The Preakness is the second race in the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, also called the Triple Crown, and is held the third Saturday each May.

The Preakness is termed “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” after the state flower.  An interesting fact is that since Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom until June, none have actually ever been used in the blanket of flowers draped over the winner. To create flowers that resemble Black-Eyed Susans, Viking daisies and used after and the centers are dabued with black lacquer to resemble Black-Eyed Susans.

Another Preakness Stakes tradition is as soon as the winner has been declared, a painter climbs to the top of the Old Clubhouse replica copula and paints the weather vane in the colors of the winning jockey and horse.

The Woodlawn Vase of the Preakness Stakes

The Woodlawn Vase has moved from winner to winner since it was created in 1960.  Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, the vase was buried at Wodlawn and then dug up again for the next running of the race in 1866.

The vase weighs 29 pounds, 12 ounces and stands 34 inches tall.

Cocktails of the Preakness

The Preakness Cocktail:
  • 1-1/2 oz Blended Scotch Whiskey
  • 3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 1/2 tsp. Benedictine
  • Dash Bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel. Makes 1 drink.
Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail:
  • 1-1/4 oz Bourbon
  • 3/4 oz Vodka
  • 3 oz sweet & sour mix
  • 2 oz orange juice
Add the liquors to a highball glass with shaved ice, top off with the orange juice and sweet and sour mix. Garnish with orange slice, cherry & stirrer.  Makes 1 drink
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