Preakness Stakes, Black Eyed Susan Recipe, Gidday-Up

It's Preakness Time, Hon! The second jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, will once again be held at historic Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 18. Pimlico, which first opened its doors on Oct. 25, 1870 and is the second-oldest racetrack in the country, swells to accommodate the spectators there to watch one of the most exciting two minutes in sports. Baltimoreans have seen the most famous horses in history at Pimlico, including Man o' War, Seabiscuit, War Admiral, Secretariat and Cigar. Known as "Old Hilltop," Pimlico's history dates back to when Maryland Gov. Oden Bowie attended a dinner party in 1870 in Saratoga, N.Y. When it was suggested that a stake race be held that year to be called the Dinner Party Stakes, Bowie requested that the race be held in Baltimore and suggested a purse of $15,000, a large sum of money at the time. The first Dinner Party Stakes, later called The Dixie, was won by Preakness, leading to the creation of the Preakness Stakes in 1873 with a crowd of 12,000 watching.

INFIELD-FEST, CORP TENT VILLAGE, Grab Friends and watch at your favorite bar, restaurant or friend's home.

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Black-Eyed Susan Drink Recipe The Taste of Preakness here are several variations of the official drink of Preakness that you'll encounter at parties around the region, as everyone has his or her individual preference. The official drink at Pimlico Race Track calls for whiskey, but many prefer a lighter variation using rum. Whatever recipe you use, make sure it's not too sweet, especially if it's a hot day (you never know about Preakness - sometimes it's warm, other times you need a heavy sweater). As always, if you're hosting a Preakness party, be sure not to make it too strong, as you want your guests to have a good, yet responsible, time.

Here is the special official PREAKNESS Black-Eyed Susan Recipe:

1 1/2 cups vodka

1 1/2 cups light rum or bourbon or whiskey

3/4 cups Triple Sec

4 cups orange juice

4 cups pineapple juice

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Mix all ingredients and chill.

Pour into punch bowl and add ice. Garnish with orange slice and cherry.

Makes 10 large drinks.

C/o Beth Andresini, "Thyme for You"

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