Nominations Due May 7 for 16 Stakes, Nine Graded, Worth $3.8 Million

BALTIMORE – For the third straight year, the Maryland Jockey Club is offering a total of $150,000 in bonus money to trainers that accumulate the most points during stakes and non-stakes races over Preakness weekend at legendary Pimlico Race Course.

Led by the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown Saturday, May 18, a total of 16 stakes, nine graded, worth $3.8 million purses will be contested including Xpressbet Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day Friday, May 17.

Trainers who run a minimum of five horses in the 16 stakes races during Preakness weekend will be eligible for $100,000 in bonus money with $50,000 going to the trainer with the most points, $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth and $2,000 for sixth.

Points are accumulated for finishing first (10 points), second (seven), third (five) and fourth (three) and by having a starter (one) in each of Pimlico’s stakes races.

Joining the 95th edition of the Black-Eyed Susan are the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3), $150,000 Allaire duPont (G3), $150,000 Adena Springs Miss Preakness (G3), $100,000 Skipat, $100,000 Maker’s Mark Hilltop and $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint.

The $1.5 million Preakness is supported by the $250,000 Maker’s Mark Dixie (G2), $200,000 Chick Lang (G3), $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3), $150,000 Gallorette (G3), $100,000 James W. Murphy, $100,000 The Very One, inaugural $100,000 Searching Stakes and $100,000 Earle I. Mack Foundation Sir Barton to benefit the TAA and Man o’ War Project.

Nominations for all 16 stakes close Tuesday, May 7.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen captured the $50,000 prize in both 2017 and 2018. He was tops with 38 points in 2017 including wins in the duPont and Miss Preakness, while his 82 points from 2018 included wins in the Chick Lang, Maryland Sprint, James Murphy and Skipat and a third with Tenfold in the 143rd Preakness.

There will also be bonus money totaling $50,000 for trainers with the most points in non-stakes races during Preakness weekend. The points are accumulated in similar fashion with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth and $1,000 to sixth.

Linda Rice edged Pimlico-based trainer Mary Eppler, 22-19, to earn the top non-stakes bonus in 2018.