The Preakness Stakes, that second jewel of the Triple Crown, is getting a massive shake-up, people. Starting in 2027, this historic race is ditching its traditional spot and shifting to Sundays, running a full 22 days after the Kentucky Derby. This isn’t just a tweak, this is a whole new deal for the sport, announced just this Wednesday!
The Schedule Nobody Saw Coming
Get this: from 2027 onward, the Preakness Stakes is moving one full week later on the calendar. We’re talking 22 days after the Kentucky Derby now, a huge jump from the old two-week turnaround. And for the first time since 1873, the 152nd Preakness Stakes will be run on a Sunday, in the late afternoon or early evening. Next year, that means Sunday, May 23. Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, called it “a historic announcement.” Why the big move? He said this “extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.” It’s all about preserving the tradition of horses actually running in the Preakness and boosting participation in all the Triple Crown races. Trainers have been skipping the Preakness with Kentucky Derby winners because two weeks simply wasn’t enough time for these top contenders to recover and train for another grueling event. This change acknowledges that.
Baltimore’s New Championship Weekend
This isn’t just about one race changing its date, it’s about building an entire “championship weekend in Baltimore,” according to Knauf. The Black-Eyed Susan, which is the filly counterpart to the Preakness, is also getting a move. It’s shifting from its historic Friday slot to run on the Saturday before the Preakness. Imagine, in most years, this new setup lands on Memorial Day weekend. Knauf is hyped, saying it “creates tremendous excitement for our local economy and businesses.” Baltimore is going to be *the* place to be. NBC is still locked in to broadcast the race too, they’ve got exclusive, long-term media agreements for both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes through 2032.
This entire shift will be fascinating to watch, especially for the third leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes, as it’s currently scheduled, would be less than two weeks after the 2027 Preakness. So, unless the Belmont shifts its date too, we might see another big change on the horizon. Get ready, because the 152nd Preakness Stakes on Sunday, May 23, 2027, is going to kick off a brand new era in horse racing!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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