The Death of the Triple Crown? Churchill Downs and NYRA Push Preakness Out of Six-Race Series

The traditional Triple Crown — for decades the undisputed jewel of thoroughbred racing — has been suffering a slow demise in recent years. Modern trainers are opting to rest the Kentucky Derby winner and skip the Preakness rather than subjecting their horses to a grueling two-week turnaround.That tradition may be rendered obsolete. In a seismic shift that rocked the horse racing landscape, Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing Association announced on Monday a partnership for a six-race series beginning in 2027 with a $5 million bonus attached to the end of it.Absent, at least for now, from the six-race series, which extends from May to September, is the Preakness, which traditionally has been the second leg of the Triple Crown run two weeks following the Kentucky Derby.The six-race series, likely to be televised on NBC and FOX, will cover the Kentucky Derby on May 2, the Belmont Stakes on June 5, back to Churchill again in early July for the Matt Winn Stakes, the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late July/August and a newly designated race to finish the series at Churchill Downs in September ahead of the Breeders’ Cup set to take place at Belmont Park in Long Island.“This series is designed to showcase the sport’s best 3-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans,” NYRA president CEO David O’Rourke said in a statement.Mike Repole, a prominent horse owner and critic of the sport’s leadership, credited Churchill Downs and the NYRA for “recognizing that evolution requires innovation, real change and the courage to do things differently,” he posted on XThe Maryland Jockey Club, which operates the Preakness, apparently was left in the dark about the development. According to Yahoo Sports, the group was close to announcing the Preakness would be pushed back to three weeks after the Derby, but that could impact the field for the Belmont.In April, Churchill Downs Inc. agreed to purchase the Preakness’ intellectual property rights for $85 million from the Stronach Group, which previously owned the Pimlico Race Course. But the Maryland government exercised its right of first refusal and paid the $85 million to retain the property rights in a deal reportedly completed last week.The Preakness will continue to exist at Pimlico, which underwent a $400 million renovation. But being the odd race out of the newly formed series is certain to impact its prestige. A points structure for the six-race series determines the winner of the $5 million prize, ensuring the top horses in all six races.“This wouldn’t have come together the way it did if the Preakness bid had gone through (for Churchill),” an industry source told Yahoo Sports. “Churchill and the NYRA drive the sport.”The Triple Crown was last won by Justify in 2018, three years after American Pharoah in 2015.Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, the last two Derby winners, skipped the Preakness, eliminating any chance of a Triple Crown winner. Rich Strike, the 2022 Derby winner, also skipped the Preakness.Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby this year with Golden Tempo. She considered making a run for the Triple Crown but ultimately decided against it. “We believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort,” she said at the time. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”None of the 18 horses who ran this year at the Derby raced in Preakness won by Napoleon Solo. The race took place at Laurel Park in Maryland while Pimlico in Baltimore is being renovated. There has been no comment from the Maryland Jockey Club.

The Death of the Triple Crown? Churchill Downs and NYRA Push Preakness Out of Six-Race Series

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