The Preakness Stakes will move to a Sunday for the first time in its history in 2027, a significant alteration to the Triple Crown schedule aimed at boosting attendance and encouraging more Kentucky Derby winners to compete.
The 2027 Preakness Stakes will be run on Sunday, May 23, marking a three-week gap after the Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled for May 1, 2027. This change breaks a tradition that has held for over 75 years, with the Preakness historically taking place two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic.
Maryland Jockey Club CEO Bill Knauf acknowledged the historical significance of the race's traditional placement but stated that the time was right for a change, citing evolving trends in horse racing and training methods. "We entered the discussion maybe even saying, 'Hey, is two weeks the right amount? I think the week was the right placement. It still gives an incredible test for a horse and a champion to go through that, even at three weeks," Knauf told The Associated Press.
The primary objective behind the schedule adjustment is to increase the number of horses from the Kentucky Derby participating in the Preakness. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for Derby winners to bypass the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont Stakes. Data shows that out of 95 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby between 2022 and the present, only 13 competed in the Preakness, with just one of those being a winner.
This shift means that for at least the first year, the gap between the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes will be 13 days. The change is also being implemented alongside a new six-race championship series, which will begin in 2027 and include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and other major races. This series will feature a $5 million prize pool and is designed to showcase top 3-year-old horses throughout the season.
Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association announced the new championship series, which aims to elevate major racing events and create a season-long narrative for fans. NYRA President and CEO David O’Rourke stated that the series will "elevate our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," while Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen added that it is "creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of thoroughbred racing."
The new schedule and championship series are set to debut in 2027, with the aim of revitalizing interest and participation in major horse racing events.