A new race calendar emerges
American horse racing is set for a major overhaul in 2027 as the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs Inc. reveal a new six-race format. The announcement marks the end of the traditional Triple Crown structure. The new Thoroughbred Championship Series will replace the Triple Crown, beginning with the Kentucky Derby and concluding with a brand-new championship race in September.
Preakness exclusion could shift strategy
The Preakness Stakes is absent from the new series, a significant change that may challenge race strategy for trainers and owners. This omission could lead to difficult choices for teams who must balance participation in the Preakness with the new schedule. The Preakness is likely to adjust its timing, creating a three-week break between itself and the Kentucky Derby. This shift marks a departure from the historic Triple Crown timeline.
Financial incentives and a unified points system
Under the new series, a unified points system will be used to promote frequent competition among top three-year-olds. The system will combine with an added financial incentive—a $5 million prize pool—distributed based on the final rankings of participants. The goal is to boost engagement and provide long-term value for participants.
David O’Rourke, president and CEO of NYRA, highlighted the vision behind the series. He described it as a way to highlight the sport's best three-year-olds and create excitement that carries through the season. O’Rourke noted that the return of the Belmont Stakes to the renovated Belmont Park is a key part of this vision. The new series aims to attract new fans and elevate the importance of major races.
The 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series will start with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in May. It will move through the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in June, followed by the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in late July or early August, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late August, and a final championship race in September.
With the Preakness left out, the sport appears to be moving further away from the original Triple Crown format. Notably, the last “real” Triple Crown race was the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, which was won by Golden Tempo in June. This change could redefine the landscape of horse racing for the next generation.
Maryland is wondering what comes next after the Preakness Stakes was left out of the new six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series. Churchill Downs announced the series with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). The $5 million series includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, which are the other two legs of the Triple Crown. What does this mean for the Preakness Stakes? Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said this decision could draw fewer crowds to the state to see the Preakness Stakes. 'I think it certainly puts it in danger when you have two of the three Triple Crown entities working together on a separate series that the Preakness is not involved in,' Hershey said. Maryland recently finalized an $85 million deal to acquire the rights to the Preakness Stakes, a move that was criticized by Sen. Hershey. 'I want the Preakness in Maryland to be successful, but I think the wrong decisions have been made from the Governor's Office,' Hershey said. Governor Moore's Office said the acquisition is funded with a tax-exempt revenue bond, not by taxpayer money. However, Senator Hershey fears taxpayers will foot that bill and more if the Preakness doesn't live up to its high status. 'I'd be very concerned if I were the bondholders and might want to say, 'Well, wait a minute, with this new announcement, does the Preakness still have the same status as when these bonds were issued?' Sen. Hershey said. 'I think lawmakers are saying right now, 'Hey, we could end up being responsible for the amount of money that we put into several different things.' What do changes mean to Park Heights? The organization Park Heights Renaissance said its board is assessing what these changes mean for the neighborhood. 'Neighborhoods are strongest when those who call them home are at the center of every decision,' the non-profit wrote in a statement. 'Grounded in lived experiences and deep roots in Park Heights, we will continue working alongside our partners to ensure sustained investment, expanded opportunity, and collective impact. Together, we will build a stronger, more vibrant Park Heights where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.' A spokesperson for the Maryland Jockey Club said a date for the Preakness next year has not yet been announced and declined comment on the championship series of races in Kentucky and New York. The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen Association is not commenting at this time. Gov. Moore is expected to make a horse racing announcement Wednesday afternoon.