The 144th Preakness Stakes and The Black-Eyed Susan

The 144th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is this Saturday and you can watch it on NBC 5 beginning at 2:30 p.m. with the race starting at 6:48 p.m.

Country House was the winner of the Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security was disqualified. Country House odds were 65-1 and paid big bucks to the bettors that took a chance on the horse.

It won't be two in a row for Country House after he developed a cough and is harboring a virus. Country House is the first Kentucky Derby winner to miss the Preakness since 1996 when Grindstone had a knee injury and retired.

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year but there is still plenty to celebrate and with so much time before the race, you'll need something to quench your thirst til post time.

The drink of choice for the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep.  For the Preakness Stakes, it's The Black-Eyed Susan and I've found 2 different recipes.

According to the official Preakness website. It's 2 Part Bourbon, 1 Part Vodka Citrus, 3 Part Sweet & Sour mix and 1 Part Orange Juice.  Fill a highball glass with shaved ice add ingredients. Garnish with Orange and Maraschino cherry.

Here's the other: 1 part Cointreau, 1 part Mount Gay rum, 1 part Vodka, Pineapple Juice and Orange Juice. Fill a highball glass with shaved ice, add the liquors first, then top off with equal parts of orange and pineapple juice. Stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

Good luck, drink up and may the best horse win...unlike the Kentucky Derby.

[via Preakness/BloodHorse]