Pimlico’s original course was engineered by General John Ellicott on land acquired by the Maryland Jockey Club. Its familiar nickname, Old Hilltop, came from a small rise in the infield where people gathered to watch the horses. The name outlasted the physical feature that inspired it. This detail connects the venue’s identity with the experience of early spectators, who used the landscape itself as a vantage point beside the racing.
The 1938 Pimlico Special brought Seabiscuit and War Admiral together in a celebrated match race. The contest gave a single meeting significance far beyond the usual local audience, becoming one of the sport’s best-known head-to-head encounters. It belongs to a wider history of major horses appearing at Pimlico across generations.
Fort McHenry. Explore the historic waterfront fort whose defence of Baltimore inspired the words of the American national anthem.
Inner Harbor. Continue into central Baltimore for a waterfront walk and a change of scenery around the city’s former working harbour.
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