2022 Preakness Stakes: How big is the purse and how much money goes to the winner?

One of the best and most surprising races in all of horse racing, the Preakness Stakes is finally here. Saturday’s big race and its competitors are ready to battle it out for bragging rights and prize money.

Just how much prize money goes to the race’s participants?

First, you should know what the purse is. This year’s amount is $1.5 million, which is $500,000 more than 2021’s purse. That $1.5 million is broken down and allotted to the race’s top five finishers.

The winner takes home $900,000 in prize money (60 percent of the total purse), $300,000  goes to second, $165,000 to third, $90,000 to fourth and $45,00 to the fifth-place finisher.

While the earnings aren’t as hefty as the Kentucky Derby, the payouts for the 2022 Preakness Stakes are certainly rewarding.