BALTIMORE---The Maryland Jockey Club unveiled the 2011 Pimlico spring stakes schedule today after reaching agreement with both the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Horse Breeders Association. The schedule still needs approval from the Maryland Racing Commission, which will hold its monthly meeting at Laurel Park on Feb. 15

     The headline event of the eight-week stand that begins Friday, Apr. 1 is the 136th running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes (Grade I), the middle jewel of the famed Triple Crown, on May 20, 2023. The 29-day meeting at the historic Baltimore track will conclude on Preakness day.

     The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 22 stakes races for purses of $2.9 million. Preakness weekend features 16 stakes races for nearly $2.5 million.

     The May 20 card features seven stakes races, six for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies. The purse for the Black-Eyed Susan was increased to $250,000.

     Preakness day will have nine added money races, including six graded events, and features the return of the Grade III Allaire duPont Distaff, which was put on a one-year hiatus due to a purse shortage a year ago.

     “Having a strong stakes schedule during the Pimlico meet is vital for our success,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “The Preakness weekend experience is strengthened with the return of the Distaff and the purse increase for the Black-Eyed Susan. We are working hard to increase the profile of the entire week, not just focusing on the third Saturday in May.”

     First post for 26 days of the meeting will be 1:10 p.m. with adjustments on Preakness (10:45 a.m.), Black-Eyed Susan (12:15 p.m.) and Kentucky Derby (May 7, 12:45 p.m.) days.

     The Pimlico stable area will be open for training from Mar. 21 through May 28.

     The current Laurel Park winter meeting will conclude its 12-week run on Saturday, Mar. 26.