By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

People throughout Maryland and beyond flocked to Baltimore to witness the historic 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 17. 

The middle jewel of the Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing, Pimlico typically draws crowds that come to experience the trill, tradition, fashion and culture that makes Preakness unique. 

“This was my first time at Preakness and it was really cool,” said Rare Reign, a doula from Columbia, Md. “I like historic events and seeing how things will continue to change and evolve throughout time, that’s what I am about. I just wanted to experience what Preakness had to offer after hearing about it all these years.” 

  • Terry Speigner (left), president and CEO of NGEN, enjoys Black Eyed Susan day with his sister, Belinda Lyons, of Birmingham, Ala. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Monica White-Mark (left) with Amanda Coleman, Jessica Coleman, Nadine Finigan-Carr, Deanna McRay-James, Khusana Jackson and Natadha Parker. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Journalism wins the 150th Preakness Stakes with jockey Umberto Rispoli May 17. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Melody Thomas, associate director of business development and events at the Water Front Partnership, enjoys the race. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • The winner of the 2025 Black Eye Susan Day race, Margie’s Intention, gallops across the finish line with jockey Flavien Prat on May 16. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Cornell Craig (left), of New York, and Clyde Pickett from Pittsburgh, Pa., attend the last Preakness Stakes race to be held at the historic Pimlico Race Course before major renovations (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Delegates Denise G. Roberts and Karen R. Toles, J.D. both represent Maryland House District 25 in Prince George’s County. (AFRO Photo/ James Fields)
  • Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay, Esq., of District 6, attends the Preakness Stakes.
  • Crystal Bolden showcases her brand, YBI Apparel, located in the Park Heights at 5115 Park Heights Ave. in Baltimore.
  • Megan Rivers, of WBAL-TV, is pretty in pink at the 2025 Preakness Stakes.
  • Terrance King, president and CEO of the National Coalition of Churches (NCC), attends the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.
  • Darryle Jones, in his Preakness Stakes threads.
  • Model Faren Aimee arrives at Preakness Stakes 150 in a chic dress and hat.
  • Toey Farrie and Kevin Artis attend the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.
  • Terry Speigner, president and CEO of NGEN, enjoys Preakness 150 with his sister, Belinda Lyons, of Birmingham, Ala.
  • Leah Perry, Esq., joins Dr. Larry Perry, of the University of Tennessee, at the Preakness Stakes, known as the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
  • Eric Greene enjoys the atmosphere experienced at the Afro Preak tent.
  • LaRian Finney, a co-founder of Afro Preak, networks with those in attendance.
  • Thousands join the festivities at Pimlico Race Course for the main event, the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes
  • The Grandstand fills with excited spectators.
  • The Preakness winner, Journalism, heads to the starting gate.
  • The 2025 Preakness winner, Journalism, races around the track, led by jockey Umberto Rispoli.
  • Author Kevin Shird and Doni Glover, founder of BMoreNews.com, connect at Afro Preak 2025.
  • Gigi Eze poses for a photo during the celebration.
  • The 150th year of the Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico Race Course, drawing thousands.
  • Megan Rivers and Lawana White enjoy the event.
  • Evette Monique, designer of couture hats, displays one of her latest creations.
  • Jeff Anderson and Mike Johnson arrive at Preakness 150 in JL Michaele’s Custom Clothing.
  • Cornell Craig, of New York, and Clyde Pickett of Pittsburgh, Penn., sport their best Spring colors at the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.
  • Terry Speigner (left) enjoys the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes with Belinda Lyons, Patricia Browne, Eugene Harris and Terrance King.
  • Delegate Denise G. Roberts, of Maryland House District 25 in Prince George’s County, Md., enjoys the Preakness Stakes.
  • Monica Clark enjoys the festivities.
  • Dr. Larry Perry, of the University of Tennessee, makes an appearance at the 150th Preakness Stakes.
  • Zay Flowers, of the Baltimore Ravens, makes a stop at the Afro Preak tent.
  • The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes begins as the horses thunder from the starting gate.
  • Jockey Umberto Rispoli rides Journalism to a win at the 2025 Preakness.

Preakness Stakes was preceded by the inaugural weeklong Preakness Festival, under the leadership of Maryland first lady Dawn Moore. Highlights included the George “Spider” Anderson Music and Arts Festival, with performances by record producer Douglass “Doug E. Fresh” Davis and rapper Lana “MC Lyte” Moorer.

Although most Preakness attendees left with a positive experience, some left hoping that the logistics and organization of the events during Preakness events would improve alongside the physical improvements in store at Pimlico. 

“This was my second time coming to Preakness and initially it was great, but I experienced a lot of disorganization. I purchased tickets for multiple events trying to support it, but when you leave one, they prevent you from returning to the area that you left,” said Yusef Moore, CEO of mixed martial arts company, Best of the Best. “Who pays thousands of dollars to stand outside?”

Moore first attended Preakness Stakes roughly a decade ago and had zero complaints about his experience the first time around. Moore shared with the AFRO that the racing was great, but he likely won’t be returning due to the level of disorganization being too high for “a paying client.” 

Pimlico is set to be demolished and rebuilt, with construction beginning over the summer. The event will move to Laurel Park in 2026. 

The $400 million project will take about two years to complete, and Preakness Stakes is set to return to Pimlico in Baltimore in 2027.  The new venue will include a 5,000-seat grandstand, a hotel and other innovative improvements allowing Pimlico to host other events such as concerts and festivals. 

On the race track, Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli crossed the line victorious.

Journalism got its name from co-owner Aron Wellman, who was once a sports editor in high school.  

Journalism ran a time of 1:55.47 across the oval that is a little over a mile long. The victory serves as the second Preakness victory for trainer Michael McCarthy.