2006 Preakness Stakes

{{short description|131st running of the Preakness Stakes}}

{{Infobox horse race

| surface = Dirt

| name = 131st Preakness Stakes

| horse race = The Preakness Stakes

| image = 160px

| caption = "The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown"
"The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans"

| location = Pimlico Race Course,
Baltimore, Maryland,
United States

| date = May 20, 2006

| winning horse = Bernardini

| winning jockey = Javier Castellano

| winning trainer = Thomas Albertrani

| conditions = Fast

| previous = 2005

| next = 2007

}}

The 2006 Preakness Stakes was the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 20, 2006, and was televised in the United States on the NBC television network. Bernardini, who was jockeyed by Javier Castellano, won the race by five and one quarter lengths over runner-up Sweetnorthernsaint. Approximate post time was 6:19 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run over a fast track in a final time of 1:54.65.Daily Racing Form, May 21, 2006 Chart of the Race The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 128,643, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 2006.2010 Preakness Stakes Media Guide; page 95 (page P-7 of The Preakness section). The Maryland Jockey Club reported official Total Attendance as 128,643. This is listed as 118,402 Pimlico on-site attendance and 10,241 at Laurel on-site attendance.

The running of the race was marred when Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, broke down early in the race and sustained injuries on his right hind leg after a false start, ending his racing career.