<P> In 1917, the first Woodlawn Vase was awarded to the Preakness winner, who was not allowed to keep it . Eventually a half - size reproduction of the trophy was given to winners to keep permanently . The original trophy is kept at the Baltimore Museum of Art and brought to the race each year under guard, for the winner's presentation ceremony . </P> <P> In 1940, it was proposed to drape the winning horse in a garland of the Maryland State flower, Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called black - eyed Susans . This posed a problem, as the race is run nearly two months before the flowers come into bloom in late June or July . At first, yellow Viking daisies were painted to resemble black - eyed Susans . Painted flowers have been discontinued since the first decade of the current millennium and viking poms, a member of the chrysanthemum family, are now used . Although the Preakness is sometimes referred to as "the race for the black - eyed Susans", no black - eyed Susan is ever used . </P> <P> In 1918, 26 horses entered the race, and it was run in two divisions, providing for two winners that year . Currently, the race is limited to 14 horses . </P> <P> In 1948, the Preakness was televised for the first time by CBS . </P>

How many horses are in the preakness race