By Sue Finley
The 2027 GI Preakness Stakes will be run 22 days after the GI Kentucky Derby, Sunday, May 23, with the GII Black Eyed Susan being held Saturday, May 22, said Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a press conference Wednesday afternoon where he extolled the virtues of the Triple Crown and the importance of the Preakness as its middle jewel.
Both races will be presented on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN. NBC also announced a multi-year extension of their partnership to present the Preakness through 2032. Both races will be held in the late afternoon/early evening, according to Governor Moore.
After Moore's announcement, the New York Racing Association's Vice President of Communications Patrick McKenna said that NYRA still planned to run the Belmont Stakes in its traditional spot, five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. That timing puts the Belmont Stakes just 13 days after the Preakness.
“As announced earlier this week, the 2027 Belmont Stakes is scheduled to be held at the new Belmont Park on Saturday, June 5,” McKenna said.
Moore, for his part, brimmed with enthusiasm over the Preakness announcement.
“And so we've got a few really important announcements that we are here to make today,” said Gov. Moore. “The first is that we are moving the date of the Preakness. And we are going to move it back to be able to ensure that the winner of the Kentucky Derby will then be prepared to compete in the second leg of the Triple Crown because the Triple Crown will continue and it will continue to be Preakness.
“And by moving the date, you're then providing additional time and space for our horses and the people who compete in the Derby to be able to then now compete to be able to be part of that Triple Crown,” he said. “The second, the Maryland Jockey Club has finalized a new six year agreement with NBC Sports. That means this agreement now means that millions more people will be able to tune in and watch this iconic race weekend. It also means that when they do this race, and by the way, by moving it, in addition to moving a time, we're also moving it to a Sunday as well. It means that more people will watch and witness the greatest show in the Mid-Atlantic and continue to see Maryland on the world stage exactly where Maryland belongs. But these changes are about more than just television and timing. They also continue to demonstrate what happens and what Maryland can do when Maryland controls what happens next.
“The third, we are making key investments in the area and the neighborhoods as well because we know what kind of societal and financial return that we are going to see with that investment,” added Moore. “As I said from the outset of this process, the goal was not just to create winners on the track. The goal was to make sure we were creating winners off the track too. And last year we acquired Pimlico Racecourse. As we speak, we're investing to redevelop it into a best in class facility in all of American horse racing. And we're doing it while also making sure that we can and will invest in Park Heights.
“So here's my message,” Moore concluded. “If you want to win the Triple Crown, we'll see you in Baltimore.”
On Monday, the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs announced the creation of a new series for 3-year-olds with a bonus structure, which does not include the Preakness.
Two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert–a record-holding eight-time winner of the Preakness–weighed in on the decision to move the Preakness, praising the decision. “I think it's a great idea,” he said by text to TDN reporter Tim Wilkin. “Extra week and on a Sunday. Triple Crown tradition stays intact. Win-win for all because you have a choice to go for it if you think you have the right horse after winning the Derby. One-and-a-half to two weeks later is doable. Woody proved that.”
Baffert was referring to Woody Stephens's campaign with Conquistador Cielo in 1982, who won the Metropolitan Handicap in track-record time on a Monday, and came back on Saturday to win the Belmont Stakes by 14 lengths.
The press conference was studded with Maryland dignitaries who enthusiastically supported the idea.
“Preakness Weekend is more than a race—it is a celebration of more than 150 years of Maryland history, Baltimore, our proud equine tradition, and the communities that make this event so special,” said First Lady Dawn Moore. “This new schedule honors that extraordinary legacy while opening an exciting new chapter–elevating the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, bringing even more attention to Maryland on the national stage, and creating new opportunities for local businesses, families, and racing fans.”
Gov. Wes Moore presents the Woodlawn Vase to the connections of this year's Preakness winner Napoleon Solo | Sarah Andrew
“We look forward to seeing the Preakness continue to evolve in this next chapter,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As a son of Park Heights, I'm proud of the progress we're making to ensure that this is an event held with the community, not just in the community–especially as announcements like this one bring new energy and tourism to the race.”
“The Maryland Jockey Club is thrilled to continue its long-standing partnership with NBC Sports for the Preakness Stakes. We believe that moving the Preakness to the fourth Sunday in May and showcasing the excellent Black-Eyed Susan Stakes card on Saturday will transform the weekend for horsemen, bettors, and racing fans alike,” said The Maryland Jockey Club President and General Manager Bill Knauf. “Governor Moore and the State of Maryland have committed significant resources to racing's future, including a rebuilt Pimlico on the horizon, a state-of-the-art training center at Laurel Park, the acquisition of the Preakness Stakes Intellectual Property, and a fresh path forward for Maryland's iconic racing event. Preakness Weekend 2027 marks a new era for the State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, our valued partners in the Park Heights Community, and all the horsemen who have worked diligently to preserve and enhance horse racing in Maryland.”
“The Preakness is focused on the Triple Crown,” said Knauf. “It's been around 100 years and will be around 100 more and will always run through Pimlico.”
“Today's agreement with NBC Sports is another important milestone in realizing the full potential of the Preakness,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “It reinforces that Maryland made the right investment by taking ownership of one of our state's defining economic and cultural assets. The Preakness supports more than 28,000 jobs, strengthens tourism and hospitality, showcases Maryland's horse industry, and brings our state to audiences around the world. GBC has been a leading voice in support of this decision, and we remain committed to helping grow the Preakness into one of America's premier annual sporting and cultural events.”
MORE: Gov. Wes Moore says the race is moving to give horses more time after the Kentucky Derby so they can race at Preakness – the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Last week, Md finalized $85M deal for Preakness IP rights.
“You cannot control your future, if you do not own it.” https://t.co/WS9qTt3HPb pic.twitter.com/Hj26yKnul4
— Mikenzie Frost (@MikenzieFrost) August 5, 2026
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