Overview
- On Wednesday, Maryland announced the Preakness will be run on Sunday, May 23, 2027, and that NBC will hold broadcast rights for the race through 2032.
- The state paid $85 million to acquire the Preakness and Black‑Eyed Susan intellectual property, giving Maryland control over the race’s branding and scheduling.
- Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association unveiled a rival six‑race Thoroughbred Championship Series for 2027 that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont but excludes the Preakness.
- The new series sets eligibility and money rules, including a $5 million bonus pool and a $1 million minimum purse for each race, while NYRA requires horses to enter four of six races to qualify for the title.
- The schedule change creates a 22‑day gap after the Derby and a compressed 13‑day turnaround to the Belmont, a timing shift that intensifies political and industry dispute and could change trainer choices about running the Triple Crown.