The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced a scheduling change for the Preakness Stakes, one of horse racing’s most prestigious events. Beginning in 2027, the race will be held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend rather than its traditional date of the third Saturday in May. This marks the first time any Triple Crown race will be contested on a Sunday.
The shift aims to address declining participation from Kentucky Derby winners in the Preakness field. In 2026, no horses that competed in the Derby also started in the Preakness. Since 2022, only 13 of 95 Kentucky Derby participants have run in the Preakness. Officials attribute this trend to trainers avoiding the two-week turnaround between the two races and instead opting to use modern training methods that require additional recovery time.
Bill Knauf, CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, stated that the additional week between the Derby and Preakness would open the race to new potential participants. The scheduling adjustment comes alongside a new television rights deal with NBC extending broadcast coverage of the Preakness through 2032. The reduced crossover of Derby horses in the Preakness field has diminished fan interest, particularly among casual viewers who follow the Triple Crown pursuit.
The new schedule introduces a competing challenge, as the Preakness will now occur just 13 days before the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. This narrow window may still force trainers to choose between the two races, placing pressure on the Belmont to potentially modify its own schedule or risk a weakened field.
The 2027 event will return to Pimlico Race Course after being held at Laurel Park in 2026 during facility renovations. A $500 million renovation of the historic track is expected to conclude before the 2028 Preakness.
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