The 151st Preakness Horse Race

May 14, 2026, 17:55
USSports

Introduction

The Preakness Stakes horse race is on May 16, 2026. It is at Laurel Park. The winner of the Kentucky Derby is not in this race.

Main Body

The race is at Laurel Park because Pimlico is broken. Only 4,800 people can go. The best horse, Golden Tempo, will not run. His trainer wants him to rest for a different race. Maryland owns the Pimlico track now. Fixing the track costs a lot of money. It costs more than 500 million dollars. Some leaders are unhappy about this cost. A big company called Churchill Downs paid 85 million dollars for the race name. Maryland might pay the same money to keep the race. This means the race might move in the future. Fourteen horses are in the race. Iron Honor is the favorite to win. Taj Mahal is also strong because he always wins at Laurel Park. Some people think the horses are not very fast this year.

Conclusion

The race is in a difficult time. The horses are not the best, and the tracks have many problems.

Learning

💰 Talking about Money

In the text, we see how to describe costs and payments. To reach A2, you need to know how to link a thing to its price.

The Pattern: [Something] + costs + [Amount] →\rightarrow Fixing the track costs a lot of money. [Someone] + paid + [Amount] + for + [Something] →\rightarrow Churchill Downs paid 85 million dollars for the race name.

Key Vocabulary from the text:

  • Costs (The price of something)
  • Paid (Giving money for something in the past)
  • A lot of (A large amount)

🐎 Describing Ability

When we talk about who is better or stronger, we use simple adjectives:

  • The best →\rightarrow Top quality (Golden Tempo is the best horse).
  • Strong →\rightarrow Powerful or likely to win (Taj Mahal is also strong).
  • Fast →\rightarrow Moving with speed (The horses are not very fast).

Tip: Use "not very" to make a sentence sound more natural and less aggressive. *Example: "The horses are not very fast" is softer than "The horses are slow."

Vocabulary Learning

race
A competition where people or animals try to win by being the fastest.
Example:The horse race attracted a large crowd of spectators.
horse
A large animal that is often used for riding or racing.
Example:The horse ran quickly around the track.
track
A path or course where a race is held.
Example:The track at Laurel Park is well maintained.
people
Human beings, especially a group of them.
Example:Only 4,800 people can attend the event.
cost
The amount of money needed to buy or do something.
Example:Fixing the track costs a lot of money.
money
Currency that is used to buy goods or services.
Example:The company paid 85 million dollars in money.
winner
The person or animal that finishes first in a competition.
Example:The winner of the Kentucky Derby is not in this race.
park
A large public area with trees and open space.
Example:The race is held at Laurel Park.
future
The time that comes after the present.
Example:The race might move in the future.
move
To change the position or location of something.
Example:The race might move to a different location.
favorite
Someone or something that is liked the most.
Example:Iron Honor is the favorite to win.
fast
Moving or running quickly.
Example:Some people think the horses are not very fast this year.
problem
An issue or difficulty that needs to be solved.
Example:The tracks have many problems.
time
A period during which events happen.
Example:The race is in a difficult time.
best
The highest quality or most favorable.
Example:The horses are not the best this year.
many
A large number of.
Example:The tracks have many problems.
different
Not the same as another.
Example:The trainer wants him to rest for a different race.
same
Identical or unchanged.
Example:Maryland might pay the same money to keep the race.
big
Large in size or importance.
Example:A big company called Churchill Downs paid 85 million dollars.
company
An organization that sells goods or services.
Example:A big company called Churchill Downs paid 85 million dollars.
pay
To give money in exchange for goods or services.
Example:Maryland might pay the same money to keep the race.
trainer
A person who teaches or trains animals or people.
Example:His trainer wants him to rest for a different race.