1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club announced the return of its Preak Weeks initiative in partnership with Heidi Klotzman of HeidnSeek Entertainment. Introduced in 2023, Preak Weeks shines a spotlight on Baltimore-based businesses in the lead up to the legendary Preakness Stakes. 

Each day, from April 28 through May 16, one of 19 participating businesses will give away to a lucky set of customers, A Day at the Races to Preakness 150 with a four-pack of tickets. In addition, each participating business will receive a QR code and custom promotional code for Preakness 150 ticket sales and will receive 10% of all proceeds made through their individual promo code.

“We are thrilled to continue leveraging Preakness to support Baltimore’s independent – and often small, BIPOC- and women-owned – businesses,” said Audra Madison, Director of Marketing, The Maryland Jockey Club. “Participating business owners will also receive tickets to experience Preakness 150, deepening their connection to this historic event.”

The public is encouraged to patronize the establishments – ranging from restaurants and cafes to boutiques, services and community organizations – throughout the three-week promotion, both as a show of support to Baltimore-based businesses and for a chance to win or purchase their tickets through the QR codes. No purchase is necessary to win the tickets.

The businesses participating in the third-annual Preak Weeks, are: 

1. About Faces Day Spa & Salon (Pikesville) 
2. Black Acres Roastery (Station North)
3. BLK Swan (Harbor East)
4. Blue Caribbean (Park Heights)
5. Certified Car Care (Park Heights)
6. Citron Restaurant (Pikesville)
7. DifferentRegard (Mt. Vernon)
8. Doll House Boutique (Mt. Vernon)
9. Jody Davis Designs (Downtown)
10. KT’s Kitchen (Park Heights)
11. LifeMed Institute (Timonium)
12. Nick’s Fish House (Baltimore Peninsula)
13. Prima Dopo (Fells Point) 
14. Sassanova Boutique (Lutherville + Harbor East)
15. Self•ish Beauty Spa (Pikesville)
16. The QG (Hunt Valley + Downtown)
17. The Urban Oyster (Hampden)
18. Vinyl & Pages (Downtown
19. YBI Apparel (Park Heights)

“Preak Weeks is an initiative we began exploring with The Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing a few years ago to actively support local businesses in Park Heights by helping them grow, build capacity, and strengthen their visibility,” said Yolanda Jiggetts, CEO of Park Heights Renaissance. “It reflects our commitment to working with the Park Heights community to uplift our local merchants and ensure they are part of the area’s economic momentum, while also complementing our Main Street program to advance commercial revitalization. We hope that efforts like this continue to grow, ensuring that our local businesses are not only seen—but truly benefit—from the international spotlight that the Preakness brings to our neighborhood each year.”

“I am thrilled to continue our partnership with the 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club for this year’s Preak Weeks,” said Klotzman. “This initiative not only supports Baltimore’s diverse local businesses, but it also brings the community together in the lead-up to the excitement of Preakness 150, showcasing the heart and spirit of this remarkable city.”

All participating businesses, and access to their websites for additional details, can be found online starting today at: https://www.preakness.com/preakweeks. The participating business of the day will be prominently featured on the Preak Weeks homepage. A full calendar of the promotion, noting which business will be highlighted and giving away tickets on which day, can also be found on the site.