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The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans is almost here! Following the Kentucky Derby a few weeks ago, the Preakness Stakes marks the second race in the Triple Crown. Learn how to watch the Preakness Stakes live for free so you don’t miss any of the action.
The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, best known as the Triple Crown. Established in 1873, the race is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, on the third Saturday in May. The annual race occurs two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes, and it can determine whether a Derby winner has a chance to win the coveted Triple Crown.
The race has become a cherished Baltimore tradition, earning the nickname “the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans” because the winning horse is draped with a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, Maryland’s state flower. Past winners include American Pharoah, who in 2015 became the 12th Triple Crown champion, along with other famous Thoroughbreds like Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, War Admiral, Big Brown, Smarty Jones, and Rachel Alexandra.
The event is more than just a race — it features a week of fun festivities, including Black-Eyed Susan Day to celebrate women in racing, Preakness Live, a musical festival showcasing top artists, and the race itself. If you can’t make it to Baltimore to attend the race and festivities in person, no worries. Millions of viewers tune in to watch the exciting event from home. Discover how to watch the Preakness Stakes live for free below.
When does the Preakness Stakes air?
The Preakness Stakes airs on Saturday, May 18 at 6:50 p.m. ET on NBC. Live coverage begins at 4:30 p.m. ET. See the full schedule on NBC here.
How to watch the Preakness Stakes live for free
The Preakness Stakes airs on NBC, which is available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Peacock, and Hulu+ With Live TV. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and starts at $79.99 per month after the trial ends. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial and starts at $79.99 per month after the trial ends. Peacock and Hulu+ With Live TV don’t have free trials, however, they are cheaper per month than the other options. Peacock starts at $5.99 per month, while Hulu+ With Live TV starts at $68.99 per month and offers plans that include free subscriptions to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Best Overall Pick to Watch the Preakness Stakes: DirecTV Stream’s Free Trial
Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch the Preakness Stakes for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. DirecTV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $79.99 per month; Choice, which costs $108.99 per month with the first two months at $83.99 per month; Ultimate, which costs $84.99 per month with the first two months at $94.99 per month; and Premiere, which costs $159.99 per month.
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Preakness Stakes with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
- Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
- Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for NBC and start watching the Preakness Stakes
Best Free Trial Pick to Watch the Preakness Stakes: Fubo’s Free Trial
Fubo is our best free trial pick to watch the Preakness Stakes live for free. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers two plans: Pro, which costs $79.99 per month; and Elite, which costs $89.99 per month.
As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Preakness Stakes with Fubo’s free trial.
- Visit Fubo.TV
- Click “Start Free Trial”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for NBC and start watching the Preakness Stakes
Best Budget Pick to Watch the Preakness Stakes: Peacock
Peacock is our best budget pick to watch the Preakness Stakes live for its price. Peacock offers two plans: Peacock Premium for $5.99 per month, and Peacock Premium Plus costs $11.99 per month.
As for the differences between the plans, Peacock Premium offers more than 80,000 hours of TV shows and movies including NBC and Peacock originals; live sports and events; current episodes of NBC and Bravo shows; and 50 live channels. Peacock Premium Plus offers everything included in Peacock Premium, as well as no ads; the ability to download and watch select titles offline; and 24/7 live access to your local NBC channel. To watch the Preakness Stakes live, fans will need Peacock Premium Plus. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Preakness Stakes with Peacock.
- Visit PeacockTV.com
- Click “Get Started”
- Select your plan
- Enter your information and payment method
- Navigate to NBC and start watching the Preakness Stakes
Best Upgrade Pick to Watch the Preakness Stakes: Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch the Preakness Stakes based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $68.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $69.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $74.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $82.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Preakness Stakes with Hulu+ Live TV.
- Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
- Click “Sign Up Now”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for NBC and start watching the Preakness Stakes
How long is the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
How long is the 2024 Preakness Stakes? Throughout history, the race has been run at several distances. However, since 1925, the Preakness Stakes has maintained a length of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs).
How many horses are in the 2024 Preakness Stakes?
How many horses are in the 2024 Preakness Stakes? There are currently eight contenders for the 149th running of the Preakness. See the list below.
1. Mystik Dan
Trainer: Kenny McPeek (2020 Preakness winner)
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Post position: No. 5
2. Imagination
Trainer: Bob Baffert (eight-time Preakness winner)
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Post position: No. 9
3. Catching Freedom
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat (2021 Preakness winner)
Post position: No. 3
4. Tuscan Gold
Trainer: Chad Brown (two-time Preakness winner)
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione (2019 Preakness winner)
Post position: No. 8
5. Just Steel
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas (six-time Preakness winner)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Post position: No. 7
6. Seize the Grey
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas (six-time Preakness winner)
Jockey: Jaime Torres
Post position: No. 6
7. Mugatu
Trainer: Jeff Engler
Jockey: Joe Bravo
Post position: No. 1
8. Uncle Heavy
Trainer: Butch Reid Jr.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Post position: No. 2
How much is the 2024 Preakness Stakes purse?
How much is the 2024 Preakness Stakes purse? In 2024, the total purse for the Preakness Stakes hit $2 million, a 33% increase from the previous year’s purse of $1.5 million. The Kentucky Derby leads with a purse of $5 million, while Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes offer $2 million each.
Who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes?
Who won the 2023 Preakness Stakes? Ridden by jockey John Velazquez and trained by Bob Baffert, National Treasure won the 2023 Preakness Stakes at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course ahead of Blazing Sevens. National Treasure’s winning time was 1:55:12. Velazquez is an all-time-leading North American rider by purse earnings who won the Kentucky Derby three times and the Belmont Stakes twice. However, last year marked his first win and 13th attempt at the Preakness.
