Expect heavier traffic near Laurel Park this weekend for Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan

Anne Arundel County police are warning drivers to expect heavier-than-normal traffic near Laurel Park this weekend as the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes move to the track for the first time in the events’ histories.

The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is scheduled for Friday, May 15, and the Preakness Stakes follows Saturday, May 16. Both races are being held at Laurel Race Track while the state oversees a long-term redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. This year marks the 151st running of the Preakness and the 102nd running of the Black-Eyed Susan.

Attendance at both events is capped at 4,800 tickets per day. Because of that limit, the Anne Arundel County Police Department said it does not expect major traffic backups.

“Due to the event’s capped attendance at 4,800 tickets each day, our department does not anticipate any significant extended traffic delays,” the department said in a statement.

What to expect on the roads

Officers will be stationed at key intersections along MD-198, Whiskey Bottom Road, and Brock Bridge Road to keep traffic moving. The department said staffing will be maintained both inside Laurel Park and around its perimeter for public safety and traffic control.

No road closures are planned for either day.

The department said it has coordinated a traffic plan with partner law enforcement agencies ahead of the two-day event.