Pimlico offers win-and-in program for stakes

Pimlico Race Course will award automatic berths in a number of races on its Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes cards to the winners of newly designated races leading up to the two race days, the racetrack announced on Thursday.

The designated races – to be run at Charles Town in West Virginia, Laurel Park in Maryland, Golden Gate Fields in California, Gulfstream Park in Florida, and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas – will award berths in the Grade 2 Dixie Stakes, the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint, and the Searching Stakes, all on Preakness Day. Additional races will award berths in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan, the Grade 3 Pimlico Special, and the Hilltop, all scheduled for the day prior to the Preakness.

The designation of the races builds on a program that Pimlico launched this year that awarded automatic berths in the Preakness Stakes to the winners of three races held in the lead-up to Triple Crown season, provided the winners were already nominated to the Triple Crown.

Under the expanded program, the winners of the designated races will have their nomination, starter, and entry fees waived, Pimlico said. The series will be marketed under the “Win Today, See You in May” slogan.

Pimlico is owned by The Stronach Group, which also owns Laurel Park, Gulfstream, and Golden Gate Fields, among other tracks and racing assets.

For the Dixie, an automatic berth will be awarded to the winner of the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate. For the Maryland Sprint, the winner of the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn will get an automatic berth. For the Searching Stakes, the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream will serve as a designated race.

For the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, three races will be available for an automatic berth: the Weber City Miss at Laurel, the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks, and the Grade 3 Fantasy at Oaklawn. Three races will also award berths to the Pimlico Special: the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap, and the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope at Gulfstream. For the Hilltop, the winner of the Sanibel Island at Gulfstream will be awarded an automatic berth.