Ahead of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, here’s the origin story of the second jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown. It starts at a dinner party.

The Black Eyed Susan is the Maryland state flower because it blooms in black and gold, the state’s official colors. But the Black Eyed Susan blooms only in June. This race is held in May. So, management goes out and buys daisies and colors their centers with black shoe polish.