By Mekhi AbbottSpecial to the AFROmabbott@afro.com
Individuals all through Maryland and past flocked to Baltimore to witness the historic a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Might 17.
The center jewel of the Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing, Pimlico usually attracts crowds that come to expertise the trill, custom, trend and tradition that makes Preakness distinctive.
“This was my first time at Preakness and it was actually cool,” mentioned Uncommon Reign, a doula from Columbia, Md. “I like historic occasions and seeing how issues will proceed to alter and evolve all through time, that’s what I’m about. I simply needed to expertise what Preakness needed to provide after listening to about all of it these years.”
Terry Speigner (left), president and CEO of NGEN, enjoys Black Eyed Susan day together with his sister, Belinda Lyons, of Birmingham, Ala.
(AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Monica White-Mark (left) with Amanda Coleman, Jessica Coleman, Nadine Finigan-Carr, Deanna McRay-James, Khusana Jackson and Natadha Parker.
(AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Journalism wins the a hundred and fiftieth Preakness Stakes with jockey Umberto Rispoli Might 17. (AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Melody Thomas, affiliate director of enterprise growth and occasions on the Water Entrance Partnership, enjoys the race.
(AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) The winner of the 2025 Black Eye Susan Day race, Margie’s Intention, gallops throughout the end line with jockey Flavien Prat on Might 16.
(AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Cornell Craig (left), of New York, and Clyde Pickett from Pittsburgh, Pa., attend the final Preakness Stakes race to be held on the historic Pimlico Race Course earlier than main renovations (AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Delegates Denise G. Roberts and Karen R. Toles, J.D. each signify Maryland Home District 25 in Prince George’s County. (AFRO Photograph/ James Fields) Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay, Esq., of District 6, attends the Preakness Stakes.Crystal Bolden showcases her model, YBI Attire, positioned within the Park Heights at 5115 Park Heights Ave. in Baltimore.Megan Rivers, of WBAL-TV, is fairly in pink on the 2025 Preakness Stakes.Terrance King, president and CEO of the Nationwide Coalition of Church buildings (NCC), attends the a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes.Darryle Jones, in his Preakness Stakes threads. Mannequin Faren Aimee arrives at Preakness Stakes 150 in an elegant costume and hat.Toey Farrie and Kevin Artis attend the a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes.Terry Speigner, president and CEO of NGEN, enjoys Preakness 150 together with his sister, Belinda Lyons, of Birmingham, Ala.Leah Perry, Esq., joins Dr. Larry Perry, of the College of Tennessee, on the Preakness Stakes, often known as the second jewel of the Triple Crown.Eric Greene enjoys the environment skilled on the Afro Preak tent.LaRian Finney, a co-founder of Afro Preak, networks with these in attendance. Hundreds be a part of the festivities at Pimlico Race Course for the primary occasion, the a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness StakesThe Grandstand fills with excited spectators.The Preakness winner, Journalism, heads to the beginning gate.The 2025 Preakness winner, Journalism, races across the observe, led by jockey Umberto Rispoli.Writer Kevin Shird and Doni Glover, founding father of BMoreNews.com, join at Afro Preak 2025.Gigi Eze poses for a photograph in the course of the celebration.The a hundred and fiftieth yr of the Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico Race Course, drawing 1000’s.Megan Rivers and Lawana White benefit from the occasion.Evette Monique, designer of couture hats, shows one among her newest creations.Jeff Anderson and Mike Johnson arrive at Preakness 150 in JL Michaele’s Customized Clothes.Cornell Craig, of New York, and Clyde Pickett of Pittsburgh, Penn., sport their greatest Spring colours on the a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore.Terry Speigner (left) enjoys the a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes with Belinda Lyons, Patricia Browne, Eugene Harris and Terrance King.Delegate Denise G. Roberts, of Maryland Home District 25 in Prince George’s County, Md., enjoys the Preakness Stakes.Monica Clark enjoys the festivities.Dr. Larry Perry, of the College of Tennessee, makes an look on the a hundred and fiftieth Preakness Stakes.Zay Flowers, of the Baltimore Ravens, makes a cease on the Afro Preak tent.The a hundred and fiftieth operating of the Preakness Stakes begins because the horses thunder from the beginning gate.Jockey Umberto Rispoli rides Journalism to a win on the 2025 Preakness.
Preakness Stakes was preceded by the inaugural weeklong Preakness Pageant, below the management of Maryland first girl Daybreak Moore. Highlights included the George “Spider” Anderson Music and Arts Pageant, with performances by document producer Douglass “Doug E. Recent” Davis and rapper Lana “MC Lyte” Moorer.
Though most Preakness attendees left with a constructive expertise, some left hoping that the logistics and group of the occasions throughout Preakness occasions would enhance alongside the bodily enhancements in retailer at Pimlico.
“This was my second time coming to Preakness and initially it was nice, however I skilled a whole lot of disorganization. I bought tickets for a number of occasions making an attempt to help it, however while you go away one, they stop you from returning to the realm that you just left,” mentioned Yusef Moore, CEO of combined martial arts firm, Better of the Finest. “Who pays 1000’s of {dollars} to face exterior?”
Moore first attended Preakness Stakes roughly a decade in the past and had zero complaints about his expertise the primary time round. Moore shared with the AFRO that the racing was nice, however he probably gained’t be returning as a result of stage of disorganization being too excessive for “a paying shopper.”
Pimlico is about to be demolished and rebuilt, with building starting over the summer season. The occasion will transfer to Laurel Park in 2026.
The $400 million venture will take about two years to finish, and Preakness Stakes is about to return to Pimlico in Baltimore in 2027. The brand new venue will embrace a 5,000-seat grandstand, a lodge and different revolutionary enhancements permitting Pimlico to host different occasions comparable to concert events and festivals.
On the race observe, Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli crossed the road victorious.
Journalism obtained its identify from co-owner Aron Wellman, who was as soon as a sports activities editor in highschool.
Journalism ran a time of 1:55.47 throughout the oval that could be a little over a mile lengthy. The victory serves because the second Preakness victory for coach Michael McCarthy.
