It's official: Preakness at Pimlico set for Oct. 3

The 2020 Preakness Stakes will be run Oct. 3 at Pimlico Race Course, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and 1/ST (The Stronach Group) President Belinda Stronach announced May 16 on NBC.

The announcement was made during NBC Sports' nationally televised broadcast, "The Middle Jewel: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown." The Preakness Stakes, which would have been run May 16 but was postponedd due to coronavirus (COVID-19), will not include InfieldFest this year.

Plans for Black Eyed Susan Day, traditionally held the day before the Preakness, will be announced later.

"Under normal circumstances, I would have stood today at Pimlico Race Course with Ms. Stronach to present the Woodlawn Vase to the winner of the 145th Preakness Stakes," Hogan said. "But, as we all know, these are not ordinary circumstances. I am delighted that we were successful in working with 1/ST, the Maryland Jockey Club and all who are connected to Maryland's Thoroughbred racing industry to set the new date of Oct. 3."

The Preakness this year will follow the Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled for Sept. 5. A date for the Belmont Stakes has not been released.

"We all wish we could have been together today to celebrate the Preakness but we stayed home and stayed safe and now we can look forward to Preakness 145 on Oct. 3," Stronach said. "I would like to thank Gov. Hogan and all of the state and local leaders along with our industry stakeholders, racetrack communities and partners, including our broadcast partner NBC Sports, for the ongoing support and commitment to racing in Maryland."

More details on Preakness 145 and the 96th Black Eyed Susan Stakes will be released in the coming months.