1971 Preakness Stakes list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 1971. The 96th Preakness Stakes Payout Schedule 1971 Preakness Stakes The 1971 Preakness Stakes was the 96th running of the $200,000 Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 15, 1971, and was televised in the United States on the CBS television network. Canonero II, who was jockeyed by Gustavo Avila, won the race by one and one half lengths over runner-up Eastern Fleet. Approximate post time was 5:40 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run on a fast track in a final time of
1973 Belmont Stakes meant he completed the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. This was significant as he was the ninth horse to complete the feat and broke a 25-year drought where a horse failed to complete the achievement. Secretariat, Sham, Pvt. Smiles, and My Gallant were the first four horses to be entered into the Belmont Stakes. Secretariat, winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, was the odds on favorite to win the event. The added distance of the Belmont when compared to the Derby and Preakness was found to be one potential reason for Secretariat to lose the race.