The Future of the Triple Crown in Horse Racing

The announcement of a new thoroughbred championship series, featuring the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but excluding the Preakness, has prompted significant discussion within the horse racing community. Just days before Maryland officials were poised to enact a major change to the Triple Crown format, concerns arose about the impact on its prestige.

Concerns Over Triple Crown Prestige

Mark Anthony Thomas of the Greater Baltimore Committee expressed the unease felt by the business community. He noted their fears about the Triple Crown losing its historical significance and the need to reinforce its standing within the sport.

The altered schedule sees the Preakness moving to three weeks and a day after the Derby, leading off a new race series. This shift raises questions about why the Triple Crown needed adjustments. Different industry experts have their own answers, often citing the difficulty for modern horses to win all three races over a five-week period.

Difficult History

During the lengthy gap between Affirmed’s Triple Crown achievement in 1978 and American Pharoah’s in 2015, discussions focused on whether the existing format was too demanding for contemporary horses. Bill Knauf, CEO of the Maryland Jockey Club, emphasized that the challenge is part of what makes the Triple Crown special.

Despite recent achievements like Justify’s win in 2018, some trainers and owners have opted out of the Preakness, raising questions about its position in the series. There has been growing support, even among traditionalists, for reconsidering the Triple Crown’s scheduling.

Impact of Scheduling Changes

The re-timing of the Preakness means 2027 is unlikely to see a Triple Crown winner. The Kentucky Derby will stay on the first Saturday in May, while the Preakness is scheduled for May 23. This creates a difficult choice for trainers as the Belmont Stakes follows in early June.

David O’Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, acknowledges that changes could lead to further discourse on racing strategy. The Belmont’s scheduling historically falls on the first or second Saturday in June, though exceptions like the 2020 pandemic have occurred.

The positioning of the Preakness poses challenges, leaving its future in consideration by its stakeholders. According to Knauf, Maryland’s race timing decision was made with long-term interests in mind.

Exclusion from New Series

The Preakness’s exclusion from the new championship series has been noted. Maryland officials did not participate in discussions between NYRA and Churchill Downs Inc.

April’s deal involved Churchill Downs Inc. acquiring the Preakness intellectual property, with annual licensing planned for Maryland. This transaction, unfolding as Maryland takes control of the property, might influence industry dynamics.

Governor Wes Moore justified Maryland’s decisions by emphasizing the importance of controlling the Preakness’s destiny. While speculations arose about whether this affected negotiations with Churchill Downs Inc., a spokesperson declined to comment.

Future of the Triple Crown

These recent changes have created uncertainty for the future of the Triple Crown. Renowned figures like Bob Baffert and Mike Repole support new initiatives, hoping to drive growth and interest in horse racing.

Baffert praised both the new series and the historical importance of the Triple Crown. Repole highlighted collaboration and teamwork among industry stakeholders as crucial for progress.

The ongoing discussions present an opportunity for a reimagined race calendar, potentially integrating the Preakness or adjusting the Belmont’s timing. Knauf remains open to exploring these possibilities.