It’s Preakness Season in Baltimore!
The absence of Maximum Security and Country House – the disqualified and official winners of the Kentucky Derby – means there’s no chance for a Triple Crown winner (official or otherwise) after this year’s race. But Saturday, May 18 is sure to still be an exciting day in Baltimore.
The 144th Preakness Stakes will be run at 6:48 p.m. at Pimlico Race Course. There will be races all day long, plus tons of color commentary on TV. Plan ahead to make sure you’ve got a great spot to watch the race – and everything else that goes along with it.
Where to Watch
Power Plant LIVE! is an ideal place to catch the race; it’ll be on TVs at venues throughout the complex. Grab a beer while watching the ponies at Leinenkugel’s, Luckie’s Tavern, PBR Baltimore or at one of the many fun spots within the complex. Then, after the race, you’re in a great spot to bounce around for drinks, dinner, and music.
Other options include a stroll over to McCormick & Schmick’s near Pier Five or to Harbor Place, where restaurant/bars like Tir Na Nog will show the race. The Irish bar is a great spot to toast a pint of Guinness (another local company!) while you watch the Baltimore race.
What to Expect from the Race
The Preakness Stakes is run on Pimlico’s 1 3/16-mile course. The weather during the race is supposed to be dry, cloudy and cool, but the forecast could change – and a rainy week leading up to the race could make for a muddy track.
The race, always run by 3-year old horses, will not include Maximum Security or Country House, but four horses that ran the Derby are slated to run, as well as several others that just missed the qualifying time for the Kentucky race.
There’s one local horse with a good chance: Alwaysmining, owned by Runnymede Racing, would be only the ninth Maryland-bred horse to win the Preakness and the first to do so since 1983.
What Else Is Happening
Preakness isn’t the only action this weekend. 
On Saturday and Sunday, Power Plant Live! will host the Baltimore Mac and Cheese Festival: two days of food trucks, chefs and vendors serving tons of varieties of mac and cheese along with other foods, craft beers, wines, and bourbon and whiskey.
The event, which also includes live music and lots of fun, is sold out on Saturday but there are still some tickets left for Sunday. Sounds like just the way to celebrate the day after Preakness.
https://www.powerplantlive.com/entertainment/event/6672
Where to Park
When heading downtown to watch the Preakness – or for the mac and cheese festival – convenient parking is key to a good experience.
Harbor Park Garage, located at 55 Market Place, is centrally located, easily accessible from I-83 and other routes in and out of the city, and an ideal spot to start and end your Preakness weekend travels in downtown Baltimore.
The garage is just steps from Power Plant Live! and a very short walk to other Inner Harbor locations. It’s safe, well-lit and its helpful, friendly staff is available 24/7 to answer questions, offer advice and point you in the right direction – on Preakness Saturday or any day.