Full Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan Wagering, Numerous Promotions Set For Billy The Kid

RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (May 17, 2011) – Can Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom take the next step toward a possible Triple Crown?

The answer will be found this Saturday in the Billy The Kid Casino at Ruidoso Downs when the 136th running of the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Preakness is simulcast from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. If Animal Kingdom can win the Preakness and go on to win the Belmont Stakes in three weeks then he will win thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Also at Billy’s Race Book in the Billy The Kid Casino on Friday, the full card of races from Pimlico will be simulcast, highlighted by the Grade 2, $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

There will be full wagering on all the Pimlico races and a special Black-Eyed Susan-Preakness double wager. There will also be advance wagering on the Preakness starting on Friday.

On Saturday, Preakness day promotions include $1,000 in cash prizes, casino promotions, food specials and drink specials.

Also, a second-chance drawing will be held after the Preakness. Losing tickets on the Preakness may be exchanged for a drawing ticket and the winner of the subsequent draw wins $500.

Preakness morning breakfast will be served starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

First post time from Pimlico on Saturday is 8:45 a.m. with the Preakness set to run at 4:19 p.m.

Animal Kingdom rates at the favorite in the Preakness after winning the Kentucky Derby as a 20-1 outsider. His Preakness favoritism was enhanced earlier this week when the owner of Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro announced that his horse would bypass the Preakness and point towards the Belmont Stakes.

Wyomia is one of the choices in the Back-Eyed Susan Stakes after finishing second, beaten by one length, in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland last month. Also set for the 3-year-old filly stakes are Comely Stakes winner Hot Summer and the sharp Royal Delta, an impressive allowance winner in her latest start.

On Friday, first post time at Pimlico in 10 a.m. with the Black-Eyed Susan scheduled to run at about 2:45 p.m.