Preakness Stakes 2015: Date, Time, Tickets And Infieldfest Concert Info

For those hoping to possibly watch history in the making as American Pharoah charges for the second leg of the Triple Crown, there are numerous opportunities and ways to attend Saturday's 140th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

The Kentucky Derby winner will next stare down the 1 3/16-mile dirt track as a major 5-8 favorite but also faces serious competition from Derby runner-up Firing Line and Zayat Stables mate Dortmund.

The trio provided an exciting finish at the Run for the Roses nearly two weeks ago, and horse racing fans, die-hard and mainstream alike, can still purchase tickets for the event directly through Pimlico or on the secondary market.

Pimlico offers two-day and day-of-seating packages for the event; however, tickets in the grandstand lower box, which cost $300, are sold out. So, too, are the clubhouse box seats that went for $165 and $175 and gave ticketholders access to all of the races, including the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan Day.

Held the Friday before every Preakness, BES Day features a three-set concert series with Gin Blossoms, Fuel and Vertical Horizon all performing from 11:45 a.m. EDT to 6:45 p.m in the Pimlico infield, smack in the middle of the track.

The grandstand lower and clubhouse box seats both provide an unmatched view of the finish line at Pimlico as the thoroughbreds charge down the home stretch, but would-be spectators can still find choice seats via open ticket market site StubHub at a premium.

Based on a recent search, the most expensive ticket in the grandstand lower box is going for $450, and right behind in the grandstand upper box, a ticket is available for $392.85 a pop.

Another option for those who may not want to watch all 12 scheduled races on Preakness Day is Infield Fest. A $70 general admission ticket available through the track’s official site allows fans access to the infield, where they can catch live performances from Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren, rapper Childish Gambino, bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles and country stars A Thousand Horses before the big race.

With Infield Fest tickets at face value still up for sale, it might be best to stay away from the secondary market, unless you’re scrambling for a pass at the last minute. One StubHub reseller is asking $470.25 per general admission ticket, a markup of more than 500 percent.

Date: Saturday, May 16

Time: NBC’s coverage of the event begins at 4:30 p.m. EDT, but the contenders for the stakes won’t be called to the starting gate until post time at 6:19 pm.