It’s a Triple Crown first.
For the primary time within the century-plus-old historical past of the horseracing collection – which options the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes – there might be a race held on a Sunday subsequent yr.
The Preakness Stakes, usually held on the third Saturday in Might, is shifting to the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, per Maryland governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Membership.
They introduced the change Wednesday, hoping to deliver a prime subject again to the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The shift is essentially in response to the latest improve in trainers not working their horses in Preakness simply two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
No horses participated in each the Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby. in 2025.
“We consider the Preakness and your entire Triple Crown collection are positioned for progress and nice success,” Maryland Jockey Membership CEO Invoice Knauf stated, through the AP.
“This further week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential contributors who use trendy coaching strategies.”
Over the past 5 years, solely 13 of the 95 horses that participated within the Kentucky Derby additionally partook within the Preakness Stakes.
Because of the lack of Derby horses within the Preakness subject just lately, enthusiasm for the occasion has dwindled.
Regardless of this alteration, there could also be one other battle set to come up in 2027, because the Belmont Stakes will occur simply 13 days after the Preakness Stakes.
After being held at Laurel Park in 2026, the 2027 Preakness Stakes will return to {a partially} open Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
