2012 Preakness Start Time: Complete Schedule for Second Triple Crown Race

The Preakness Stakes is treated in a lot of ways like the evil stepchild of the Triple Crown season. Besides the Kentucky Derby winner, a lot of the top three-year-old thoroughbreds will skip this race and prepare for the Belmont Stakes in June. 

That does not mean the fine people at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. are not going to give the people a show worth watching up to and including the race. 

As a way to keep track of everything going on Saturday afternoon, we put together this handy guide for you to follow as you prepare for the 2012 Preakness Stakes. 

InfieldFest (Gates Open at 8:00 a.m. ET)

This Saturday morning event only applies to the people actually going to Pimlico, but the lineup of musical acts and outdoor activities does make it very appealing to anyone on the fence about attending. 

Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa will kick things off with a joint performance of their new song "Payphone." Plus, on a separate stage will be The Darkness and Little Big Town. 

The National Volleyball League will be hosting a two-day tournament that includes Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers.

Other events at InfieldFest include a bikini contest (which seems weird at a horse-racing event) and a game of "Guess The Horseshoes," where fans will have the opportunity to win tickets to next year's event. 

Television Coverage (NBC at 4:30 p.m. ET)

After all the pomp and circumstance in the infield is done, NBC will jump in with its television coverage starting at 4:30. A lot of the coverage is going to consist of just analysts talking about the horses and how they have looked in practice. 

There will also be talk about the weather and how the track has been running, which is good for all the people who are going to be betting on the race. It doesn't really do much for people who just like to see horses run. 

One good thing to come out of early television coverage is a look at all the funny hats in the crowd. 

Post Time (6:18 p.m. ET)

After all the talk and hype is over, there is nothing left for the thoroughbreds to do except step up to the gate and get going. 

It should be a smooth run with only 11 horses in the field, and all eyes will be on Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another and runner-up Bodemeister. Don't be shocked to see a surprise winner, simply because this track has a much longer straightaway down the stretch, making it easier to close a gap. 

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