| The Preakness Stakes | |
| Location | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Date | May 19, 1979 |
| Winning horse | Spectacular Bid |
| Jockey | Ronnie Franklin |
| Conditions | Good |
| Surface | Dirt |
The 1979 Preakness Stakes was the 104th running of the $235,000 Grade 1 Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 19, 1979, and was televised in the United States on the ABC television network. Spectacular Bid, who was jockeyed by Ronnie Franklin, won the race by six and one half lengths over runner-up Golden Act. Approximate post time was 5:41 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run on a track listed as good in a final time of 1:54-1/5. [1] The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 72,607, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 1979. [2]
The 104th Preakness Stakes Payout Schedule
| Program Number | Horse Name | Win | Place | Show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Spectacular Bid | US$2.20 | $2.20 | - |
| 3 | Golden Act | - | $5.60 | - |
| 4 | Screen King | - | - | - |
$2 Exacta: (2–3) paid $15.80
| Finish Position | Margin (lengths) | Post Position | Horse name | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Post Time Odds | Purse Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 2 | Spectacular Bid | Ron Franklin | Grover Delp | Hawksworth Farm | 0.10-1 favorite | $165,300 |
| 2nd | 61/2 | 3 | Golden Act | Sandy Hawley | Loren Rettele | William H. Oldknow & Robert W. Phipps | 27.20-1 | $40,000 |
| 3rd | 101/2 | 4 | Screen King | Ángel Cordero Jr. | Luis S. Barrera | Flying Zee Stable | 22.80-1 | $20,000 |
| 4th | 12 | 1 | Flying Paster | Don Pierce | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 9.90-1 | $10,000 |
| 5th | 121/2 | 5 | General Assembly | Laffit Pincay Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Bertrum R. Firestone | 7.90-1 |