What You Need to Know
• Maryland officials announced a new thoroughbred championship series featuring the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
• The Preakness Stakes will now be held three weeks and one day after the Kentucky Derby.
• The Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2027, marking a potential ninth consecutive year without a Triple Crown winner.
Two days before Maryland officials were set to announce significant changes to the Triple Crown in horse racing, the introduction of a new thoroughbred championship series was revealed. This series will include the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but will exclude the Preakness Stakes, raising concerns about the future significance of the Triple Crown. Mark Anthony Thomas, of the Greater Baltimore Committee, noted that there is apprehension regarding whether this change diminishes the Triple Crown’s prestige and how it can be preserved. The Preakness will now take place on Sunday, May 23, 2027, while the Belmont Stakes will occur on June 5, 2027. This shift in scheduling reflects a growing trend of trainers and owners opting to skip the Preakness after the Kentucky Derby, contributing to a potential ninth consecutive year without a Triple Crown winner.
Why It Matters
The Triple Crown consists of three prestigious horse races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. The recent changes to the schedule and structure of these races have sparked discussions about the future of the Triple Crown and its relevance in horse racing. Historically, the Triple Crown has been challenging for horses, with many trainers now reconsidering the traditional race sequence. The exclusion of the Preakness from the new championship series may further impact the legacy of the Triple Crown, which has not seen a winner since Justify in 2018.
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