Pimlico spring meet to begin April 17

Historic Baltimore track will hold the Preakness on May 15

The Maryland Jockey Club unveiled the 2010 Pimlico spring stakes schedule today, and the historic track will have a 20-day meet highlighted by the 135th running of the $1 million Preakness Stakes on May 15.

The six-week stand begins April 17 and concludes on May 22.

The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season features 18 stakes races for purses of $2,435,000.

Preakness weekend features 15 stakes races for more than $2.2 million. The May 14 card features seven stakes races, six for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Preakness day will have eight added money races, including six graded events.

"Springtime at Pimlico brings out the best in us," said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. "It is important to keep the stakes schedule strong during Preakness weekend when some of the nation's finest thoroughbreds come to town."

The Grade I Pimlico Special and Grade II Allaire duPont Distaff have been put on a one-year hiatus due to a purse shortage. It is the fourth time in the last nine years the Pimlico Special has been canceled for this reason.