Preakness Stakes Shifts to Sunday Slot in 2027, Altering Triple Crown Schedule

The Maryland Jockey Club announced a significant restructuring of the Triple Crown calendar, revealing that the Preakness Stakes will move to a Sunday slot beginning in 2027. Scheduled for May 23 of that year, the race will be contested 22 days after the Kentucky Derby, shifting from its traditional two-week gap to a three-week interval. The event will remain at Pimlico in Baltimore but will now take place in the late afternoon and early evening.

The schedule change is designed to allow horses additional recovery time and accommodate modern training methods. In recent years, the short two-week turnaround between the Derby and Preakness has led many Kentucky Derby winners and top contenders to skip the second leg of the Triple Crown. By extending the gap to three weeks, organizers hope to increase participation and preserve the tradition of horses returning for the series.

Strategically, the move creates a new “championship weekend” in Baltimore. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the filly counterpart to the Preakness, will move from Friday to Saturday, serving as the lead-in to the Sunday main event. Maryland officials believe aligning the race with the fourth weekend in May—often Memorial Day weekend—will provide a substantial boost to the local economy.

Media coverage for the event remains secured. NBC Sports holds exclusive long-term media rights for both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes through 2032. The move to Sunday is expected to transform the viewing experience for fans and bettors. However, the new timing creates a compressed schedule for the Belmont Stakes, which is currently set to follow the Preakness in less than two weeks unless the New York Racing Association adjusts its date.

The announcement comes amid a broader effort to revitalize Maryland’s racing infrastructure, including the reconstruction of Pimlico and the development of a state-of-the-art training center at Laurel Park.

Market Context: The shift in the racing calendar follows recent developments in the broadcasting and racing sectors. Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN), which operates the Kentucky Derby and various wagering platforms, is currently trading at $87.24, up 2.21% on the day with a market capitalization of approximately $5.76 billion. The broadcast partner for the renewed agreement, Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA), is trading at $24.52.

What to watch

• Future announcements from the NYRA regarding potential date adjustments for the Belmont Stakes to accommodate the new Preakness schedule.
• Impact on handle and viewership figures when the Sunday format debuts in 2027.
• Progress on the reconstruction of Pimlico and the Laurel Park training center.

Source: original release