If Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist wins the 141st Preakness Stakes on Saturday, and then the Belmont Stakes in June, he will become the 13th horse in more than 140 years to capture the Triple Crown of U.S. horse racing.
To get that chance, Nyquist will have to outrace the other horses at 1-3/16 miles on Saturday at Pimlico.
However, should he capture the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, here are the perks he — and his connections — will receive:
A share of the $1.5 million purse
The winning horse’s connections will receive $900,000 of the $1.5 million Preakness purse to be distributed between themselves. Comparatively, the Belmont also awards $1.5 million ($800,000 to the winner’s connections), and the Kentucky Derby’s purse was $2 million, where Nyquist’s connections received $1.6 million.
If Nyquist wins all three races, he will earn $3.3 million for approximately six-and-a-half minutes of racing.
Nyquist, who originally sold at the Keeneland November 2013 Breeding Stock sale for $180,000, has already earned more than $4.9 million, according to Equibase.
Getting a picture taken beside the Woodlawn Vase
Although the intricate Woodlawn Vase will be on display during the race, the winning horse’s connections can’t get too cozy with it. The vase is considered to be the most valuable trophy in American sports, with an assessment in 1983 of $1 million, and a history that includes burial during the Civil War to prevent it from being melted into shot.
Instead, the winning owner will receive a smaller silver replica, valued at $30,000. After the race, the actual vase is returned to The Baltimore Museum of Art for display.
Its likeness painted on the track weathervane
Shortly after the horses cross the finish line, the winning horse’s saddle cloth number and jockey’s silk colors will be painted on a weathervane at the track, a tradition since 1909. It will remain there until the 2017 Preakness winner is declared.
A blanket of “Black-Eyed Susans”
The Black-Eyed Susan is Maryland’s state flower. However, because they don’t bloom until June, daisies and paint are used to recreate the appearance of Black-Eyed Susans on the flower blanket that will be draped across the winning horse. As a complement, the race’s signature drink is the Black-Eyed Susan, comprised of vodka, bourbon, orange juice, sour mix, cherries and an orange wedge.
