BALTIMORE (WJZ)– It’s the day Maryland racing fans have been eagerly anticipating– opening day at Pimlico.

Jessica Kartalija explains expectations are high for a successful meet.

A day of firsts for Tyler Goss.

“First time I’ve ever been here,” he said.

It’s opening day at Pimlico Race Course– the first race of the eight-week stand at Old Hilltop.

“We thought we would come to the races. We haven’t been here before,” Ben Phillips from Washington, D.C. said.

Racing fans like the Phillips family place their bets.

“I try to look at performance, my wife goes for the names,” Phillips said.

“Number 5. Full Moon at Bumbus,” Phillips’ wife said.

In an effort to draw even larger crowds to Pimlico, the stakes in this racing season are even higher.

“The Black-Eyed Susan has gone to $300,000, the Pimlico Special is $300,000. The other ones that were $50,000 stakes are now $100,000,” Tom Chuckas, president of the Maryland Jockey Club, said.

“Bet and hope, absolutely. That’s what you do,” Alan Wright, a horse racing enthusiast, said.

The headline event at Pimlico: the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes and the return of…

“I am Kegasus, Lord and Protector of the Preakness Infield Fest!”

There’s also a music fest with Grammy Award nominees Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa.

As for Goss’ first day…

Goss: “It’s fun. I like it a lot.”
Kartalija: “Did you win?”
Goss: “No!”

The 137th running of the Preakness Stakes is Saturday, May 19. It is also the last day for live racing at Pimlico this season.