Matthew Scales (center) cheers on his crab as it makes its way across the finish line at Faidley's Seafood's annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.

A much-anticipated race took place this week in Baltimore — and no, it wasn’t at Pimlico Race Course.

Faidley’s Seafood on Thursday held its annual “Crab Derby” at Lexington Market, a precursor for Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and Saturday’s main event, the 150th Preakness Stakes.

Nancy Faidley Devine, daughter of Faidley’s Seafood’s founders and the queen of Baltimore crabcakes, presided over the derby.

“Jockeys” used proverbial carrots and sticks — in this case small buoys on fishing line and spray bottles of water — to coax their crabs across the finish line.

The winner of this year’s Crab Derby was Matthew Scales and his racecrab “True Blue.”

Other crustaceans didn’t fare as well as their derby counterparts, because Faidley’s also hosted a crab-picking contest.

Armed with wooden mallets and their own dexterous digits, competitors lined up elbow-to-elbow as they each expertly extracted meat from their pile of crabs.

In the end, it was contestant Steve who emerged as the top pick in the crab-picking contest.

Faidley’s Seafood was founded in 1886 in the old Lexington Market, and can now be found alongside other merchants at the new Lexington Market at 119 North Paca St. Widely known for its jumbo lump crabcakes, Faidley’s is a Baltimore favorite for patrons living locally and around the world.

If you missed this year’s derby, don’t be crabby (there’s always next year). Enjoy this photo gallery by photojournalist Maggie Jones:

Jeff Morgan holds his crab back with a stick before beginning Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby at Lexington Market in Baltimore, Maryland on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Contestants compete in Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Onlookers observe Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Winning crab “True Blue” makes his way to the finish line at Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 16, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Matthew Scales (center) cheers on his crab as it makes its way across the finish line at Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
The winner of Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby was “True Blue.” Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Matthew Scales holds up his trophy after winning Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Contestants pose after Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Contestants raise their hands before competing in the crab-picking portion of Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Steve uses a hammer to crack open his crab in Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Sarah Ernoshkin and Bryan Lee compete in Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Damye Hahn observes contestants participating in the crab-picking contest at Faidley’s Seafood’s annual Crab Derby on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Abe Otterbein participates in Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Shameka Roberts raises her hands to signify her completion of Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Participants smile during Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.
Winner of Faidley’s Seafood’s crab-picking competition, Steve, holds his trophy on May 15, 2025. Photo credit: Maggie Jones.

Marcus Dieterle is the managing editor of Baltimore Fishbowl, telling the stories of communities across the Baltimore region. Marcus helped lead the team to win a Best of Show award for Website of General...