Photo by:  grassrootsgroundswell     Creative Commons

Black-Eyed Susan Day celebrates Maryland’s state flower and falls on the day before Preakness. Though less crowded, less dressy, and more relaxed than Preakness, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is the second most popular race run at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland.

Three-year-old fillies run 1 1/8 miles contending for the filly Triple Crown. Abel Tasman won the 2017 first jewel in the Kentucky Oaks Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is the 11th race today, and Belmont Park hosts the final race, the Acorn Stakes.

The famous Pimlico Black-Eyed Susan drink recipe follows:

1 part Makers Mark Bourbon

1 part DeKuyper Peachtree

1 part Effen Vodka

2 parts Orange Juice

2 parts Sour Mix

Shake with ice and strain in a Preakness glass over fresh crushed ice. Garnish with an orange and cherry.

If you aren’t fighting the Preakness crowds, you can watch the race at home and enjoy a Black-Eyed Susan.