Thoroughbred racing will see significant changes beginning in 2027 with a revised schedule for the Preakness Stakes and the introduction of a new national championship series.

The Maryland Jockey Club announced the 152nd Preakness Stakes will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2027, moving from its traditional third Saturday in May. The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes will also move to Saturday, May 22, creating a weekend-long racing festival at Pimlico Race Course.

The schedule change increases the gap between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes from two weeks to three, giving more horses additional recovery and preparation time before the second leg of the Triple Crown.

At the same time, Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have announced the launch of the Thoroughbred Championship Series, a new six-race competition designed to crown the nation's top 3-year-old Thoroughbred each season.

The inaugural Thoroughbred Championship Series will include:

· Kentucky Derby – May 1

· Belmont Stakes – June 5

· Matt Winn Stakes – July (date tbd)

· Jim Dandy Stakes – Late July (date tbd)

· Travers Stakes – Late August (date tbd)

· Championship Race at Churchill Downs – September (date tbd)

The series is designed to elevate the sport's biggest events, engage fans throughout the racing season and crown one overall Thoroughbred champion. It will feature a $5 million championship prize pool awarded through a season-long points system.

Together, these announcements represent one of the most significant changes to the structure of American Thoroughbred racing in recent years, with organizers aiming to strengthen fan engagement and encourage participation throughout the 3-year-old racing season.