I just realized that I had not shown you the Preakness Stakes Tablescape that I did for the Preakness horse race.
Sigh!
And for the record, I am not from Baltimore, even though “Maryland, My Maryland” is the song that is sung before the horse race, much like “My Old Kentucky Home” is sung before the Derby.
Since the Preakness is run in the middle of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes races, it is considered the middle child, and often ignored, and apparently I am no exception.
Either I ignored or just plain forgot to post my Preakness tablescape!
For the tablescape, I kept the burlap table runner and placemats that I used for the Kentucky Derby tablescape.
Ok, and I kept the large beautiful horse’s head also.
But here is where I changed it up a bit.
On top of the rectangular burlap place mat, I placed a round yellow place mat.
I added a driftwood charger to use as a dinner plate.
On top of the driftwood dinner plate, I used a brown-eyed susan salad plate.
Here I must tell you that you will hear both brown and black eyed susans.
Apparently, they are one of the same.
My salad plates are Vernon Kilns Brown-Eyed Susan plates, the flowers are up the side and the brown rim encircles the pretty yellow and white plate centers.
For the flatware I used the rope flatware and for the yellow napkin, I used a brown eyed susan napkin ring.
I liked that the ring in the bottom of the flatware match the horse’s bit also on the table. (a never been used one, even though I used to have quite a collection when we were raising and showing horses)
I used green bubble glass stemmed glasses and of course the Pimlico cocktail glasses filled with the brown-eyed susan cocktail.
On one end of the table, a jockey hat and riding crop lay beside the horse bit.
At the other end of the table are more brown-eyed susan flowers in a yellow pot and a bottle of Dark Horse wine.
The Menu was as simple as the tablescape.
I started with a cheese and crackers appetizer situated on a plate along with grapes and pear slices.
Since the Preakness is run in Baltimore, Maryland…crab cakes were the star of the menu and I served them on a layer of Bibb lettuce.
The vegetables were easy, Roasted asparagus spears and red potatoes cut into chunks. I added a bit of butter and paprika to both.
Finally, I used a home made (Rhoades frozen) dinner roll.
Dessert couldn’t have been simpler.
Store bought vanilla cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. I added orange slices and a red or green maraschino cherry to the top.
Now let’s talk about these pretty Preakness Drink glasses.
The glasses change each year, but always have the Preakness Stakes name printed somewhere on the glass as well as the winners of all the previous races.
The Preakness glasses that I have were for the running of the 131st running of the race in 2006.
The slender glasses are not the only thing that changes with each year’s race.
Apparently, the recipe for the Black-eyed Susan cocktail changes also.
You see there are several drinks that claim the Preakness.
Why So Many Black-Eyed Susans?
The drinks of the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness have changed quite a few times over the years, in part due to changes in the official sponsors of the races.
And yet, the Mint Julep is so ingrained in the Kentucky Derby that it will never go away.
The Preakness regularly changes the “official cocktail,” though the name stays the same.
The first cocktail that took on the Black-Eyed Susan name combined rum and vodka with equal parts of orange and pineapple juices.
As you can see, I dressed them up a bit with a black bowtie, orange slice and red or green or both maraschino cherry.
And so the Pimlico glasses and the recipes change right along with the yellow daisies which have their centers painted black as I explained in this post.
Also in that previous post…there is yet another recipe called the Mellow Yellow brown-eyed daisy.
As you can see, I improvised on the decorations for the glasses.
I added the orange slice and red maraschino cherries and on a couple of them, I added a green maraschino cherry.
Just to mix it up a bit, because the trappings of the race are a bit mixed up on their own.
Have a great day.
I love you, Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:1,2
- 1 part Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 part DeKuyper Peachtree
- 1 part Effen Vodka
- 2 parts orange juice
- 2 parts sour mix
- Garnish: orange slice and cherry
- Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well.
- Strain over crushed ice in a tall glass.
- Garnish with an orange and cherry.
- This recipe is measured in parts and it's very easy to adapt it to fit any glass size. For instance, to create a 7-ounce cocktail, pour 1 ounce of each liquor and 2 ounces each of the juice and sour mix.
- This pour should be the perfect amount for a single drink, though you can make it taller or shorter if you like.
- Just make sure to keep the ingredients in proportion to retain the balance of flavors.
Hi Kari,
Thank you for featuring the Preakness in this adorable tablescape. I am born and raised in Maryland and live about 25 miles from Baltimore. Even though I have never actually been to the Preakness, as we are always in Ocean City, MD that weekend for a big car show, we still celebrate it. My Aunt, who has a condo in OC, would always host a Preakness “Happy Hour” at the condo that we would go to and watch the race. Crab Cakes are always the star of the meal and have to have a Black Eyed Susan cocktail. Themed tablescapes are always so much fun to put together and you do it so well. Especially love this one and you give me some great ideas. Have a great week!
thank you Lynda….I do love an excuse to set a table and the Preakness as part of the triple crown races was so much fun. So happy I captured the celebration and got the seal of approval from a true “Marylander”?…not sure if that is the correct term or not. LOL Thanks for stopping by. Hugs and Blessings
Kari, I loved your setting. Absolutely gorgeous. Are black-eyed Susans the same as sunflowers? Kansas has a lot of those. Smile! I don’t mind being forgetful as I have that problem too. Hugs, my dear! I don’t know how you do so much.
Sandy…alas sunflowers are not the same as black eyed susans’, altho they are similar. The sunflowers are much larger than a susan…and I am partial to sunflowers… cuz “I’m a sunflower from the sunflower state” as the song goes. LOL Ya know…as I age I’m blaming processed foods on my forgetfulness…it sounds good anyway! LOL Have a Blessed day!
Kari, I absolutely loved every detail about this, history and all. You did a fine job!
thanks Rita, are you all moved in now? I am so anxious to see what you have done with your new digs! Hugs
A few more decor loads out of the house, and I’ll be finished there. Still trying to find creative ways to store the things I want to keep at the condo, nothing yet hung on walls, but I’m getting there!
Loved this post then, love it now! I didn’t realize you showed horses! I 100% agree with the complementary bit and flatware. Love the horse head, whip and bit as decor.
Love those cute salad plates! And the flatware is amazing!
thanks Beth…they were such fun to collect and since I got them a few years ago, not sure if they are still “out there” Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks Catherine….that drink is so good and can be modified easily! thanks for stopping by.
Kari, I love your Preakness table! Every detail is absolutely amazing! I’m going to make one of those Preakness drinks. It sounds delicious!
Catherine
Oh Kari your table is so cute and the “Horsehead” – wow I’d give anything to own that. We’re big Kentucky Derby fans and have had a KD party every year for the last 24 yeas. It’s become our annual family reunion. We even have our own coveted Horse trophy with a plaque containing who selected the winning horse for that year. Yes I know it’s crazy, but crazy fun. A few years ago I even made a horse head wreath and it’s beautiful. If you’re interested you can get the wreath frame from Trending Tree. On to the Belmont. Keep those tables coming. I love them.
What a great idea Sandy for a KD party. Double your pleasure with family and friends. I love the idea of a horse head wreath and I will check it out. thanks again for stopping by. It is interesting to note Belmont does not have a special drink, unlike the Derby and the Preakness. I guess by the time that race rolls around, it is anything goes…as long as there are white carnations. LOL
I am such a Kentucky Derby person and when my horse wins… I love love love the Preakness! Lol! I am glad that their is a cocktail for the Preakness and now I have a recipe for it.
Did you see the jockey fly off?? Whoa Nelly! Glad he didn’t get hurt… but how did that happen?
Your tablescape is stunning. I loved it all. And now that I know there is a signature drink… we will enjoy them with the Preakness next year!
I love watching the triple crown races….and so now on to the Belmont. Of course no horse will win the triple crown this year…we are having too much excitement with winners being losers and jockeys who “fly” off their horses. Let us hope the Belmont proves to be a “normal” race. LOL . Seriously, the jockey is very lucky he didn’t get hurt on his being not able to ‘sit a good horse.’ Thanks for stopping by dear friend.
Hi Kari, I really haven’t ever paid much attention to the Preakness, and had no idea they had a signature cocktail too! Your black eyed susans are so cute and such a fun and festive table to honor the race! Of course Maryland crab cakes are genius for your meal, and how clever to add a fresh orange and cherry garnish to a store bought cupcake! We have so much fun watching the Derby, and yesterday we just happened to be having a patio party so we hooked up the outdoor TV and watched the Preakness, everyone shouting their chosen winner on to the finish…wasn’t that start amazing when the jockey went flying off his horse, I am so glad he didn’t get trampled, scary stuff, and then his horse happily raced on without him! We were sipping Mojitos and nibbling on BBQ and roasted corn salad cups. Thanks for all the info about the race, another event I will now look forward to every year! {Oh I LOVE your driftwood chargers!}
Jenna
I know Jenna….how bizarre with the jockey sailing off his horse. And this was the horse that almost collided with the back end of the disqualified horse in the Derby. And yes, he could have gotten hurt or killed. I think there was a movie a long time ago of a riderless horse winning a horse race…can’t remember the name of it though. LOL It seems the triple crown races are showing all kinds of irregularities. We shall see what the Belmont brings us.
I think I got those driftwood chargers at Pier 1 several years ago.
Hugs my friend.