The Preakness Is The Run For The Black-Eyed Susans

The excitement of horse racing returns this weekend with the 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes. The race is the second, and at only 1-3/16 miles, the shortest of the Triple Crown..

While the Derby is called the run for the roses, Pimlico’s Preakness is known as  "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of yellow flowers altered to resemble the Maryland State flower is placed around the winner's neck.

It takes four people about eight hours to create the blanket, which is actually made from daises and not Black-Eyed Susans. They don’t bloom until June in Maryland. The daisies are daubed with black lacquer to recreate the appearance of the black-eyed Susan.

The winning horse gets a purse of $1.5 million dollars.

The odds for the race:
 (Bovada.lv):
--Term of Art, 100/1 (longshot)
--Senior Investment, 50-1
--Multiplier, 50/1
--Hence, 20/1
--Conquest Mo Money, 20/1
--Gunnevera, 16/1
--Cloud Computing, 12/1
--Lookin At Lee, 12/1
--Classic Empire, 10/3
--Always Dreaming, 8/11 (KY Derby winner and favorite)

Just because you can’t get to Maryland for the race it doesn’t mean you can’t make merry.  Here’s the recipe for a liquid Black-Eyed Susan!

1 1/2 ounce of Effen vodka
1 ounce of Makers Mark Bourbon
2 ounces orange juice
2 ounces sour mix
Garnish with an orange and cherry