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Preakness Shocks Triple Crown: Moving to Sunday for First Time Ever
Preakness Stakes Moving to Memorial Day Weekend in 2027: What You Need to Know
The Big Change: A Historic First for Horse Racing
The Preakness Stakes—the second leg of horse racing’s famous Triple Crown—is getting a major schedule shake-up. Starting in 2027, the race will move from its traditional spot on the third Saturday in May to the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Important Point: This will be the first time in history that any Triple Crown race has ever been run on a Sunday!
Why Are They Making This Change?
The decision comes from Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club, and they have a very specific reason: horses need more rest.
The Problem: The "Two-Week Turnaround" Is Too Tight
- The Kentucky Derby runs on the first Saturday in May
- The Preakness traditionally runs just two weeks later
- Modern trainers use different training methods that need more recovery time
- Result: Top horses are skipping the Preakness entirely
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Since 2022, look at how few Derby horses show up for the Preakness:
| Statistic | Number |
|---|---|
| Horses that ran in Kentucky Derby | 95 |
| Those same horses that also ran in Preakness | Only 13 |
| 2026 Preakness field | ZERO horses from the Derby |
Important Point: In 2026, not a single horse that ran in the Kentucky Derby showed up for the Preakness. That’s never happened before!
What Leaders Are Saying
Bill Knauf, CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, explained it simply:
"We believe the Preakness and the entire Triple Crown series are positioned for growth and great success. This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods."
The extra week of rest (three weeks instead of two) should convince more trainers to bring their best horses to Baltimore.
The TV Money Connection
This schedule change isn’t happening in a vacuum. It comes right alongside a new TV rights deal with NBC to broadcast the Preakness through 2032.
- No Derby horses = less excitement for casual fans
- Less excitement = lower TV ratings
- Lower ratings = less valuable TV contract
- Moving the date = better field = better ratings = happy NBC
But Wait… There’s a New Problem!
The Belmont Stakes Conflict
For 2027 only, there’s a scheduling squeeze:
- Preakness: Sunday of Memorial Day weekend
- Belmont Stakes: Just 13 days later
This means trainers will now have to choose between the Preakness and the Belmont—the third leg of the Triple Crown.
Important Point: The pressure is now on the Belmont Stakes to either move their date or risk having a watered-down field too.
Where Will the Race Be Run?
2027: Pimlico Race Course (Partially Renovated)
- The historic track is getting a $500 million makeover
- 2026 race was at Laurel Park while construction happened
- 2027 returns to Pimlico (but only partially open)
2028 and Beyond: Fully Renovated Pimlico
- The $500 million renovation should be 100% complete
- Brand new facilities for horses, fans, and TV production
Summary: What This Means for You
| What’s Changing | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Date | Moves to Memorial Day Sunday (first Sunday Triple Crown race ever) |
| Rest Time | 3 weeks after Derby instead of 2 (better for modern training) |
| Field Quality | Expect more top Derby horses to actually show up |
| TV Deal | NBC locked in through 2032 (money follows excitement) |
| 2027 Conflict | Belmont only 13 days later—trainers must pick one |
| Venue | Back to historic Pimlico (partially open in ’27, fully in ’28) |
Bottom line: Horse racing is trying to save its biggest crown jewel by giving horses what they need—more rest—and fans what they want—the best horses running against each other.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is the Triple Crown anyway?
The Triple Crown is three races for 3-year-old thoroughbreds:
- Kentucky Derby (first Saturday in May)
- Preakness Stakes (now Memorial Day Sunday)
- Belmont Stakes (usually early June)
Winning all three is the ultimate achievement—only 13 horses have ever done it!
Why do trainers skip the Preakness?
Modern training focuses on long-term horse health. Running a grueling 1¼-mile race (Derby), then traveling, then running another hard race two weeks later is seen as too risky. The extra week makes a huge difference.
Will this fix the problem permanently?
For 2027, it helps the Preakness but creates a new squeeze with the Belmont. Long-term, all three tracks may need to coordinate their dates so horses can realistically run in all three.
What happens to the $500 million Pimlico renovation?
It’s full steam ahead. The 2027 race happens during construction (partially open), but 2028 should showcase a completely transformed historic venue.
Does this affect betting or watching on TV?
Not negatively! NBC keeps the broadcast through 2032. A better field of horses actually makes betting more interesting and the race more exciting to watch.
Article based on reporting by Robby Kalland, CBS Sports (August 5, 2026)
