Preakness Date Won't Change After Proposed New Schedule: Report

BALTIMORE, MD — The 149th Preakness Stakes will run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, despite a push to move the race from its traditional spot as the middle jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown, according to a report.

A representative of 1/ST Racing and Gaming, the owner of the Maryland Jockey Club and Pimlico Race Course in Northwest Baltimore, confirmed to The Baltimore Banner that next year's Preakness is scheduled for May 18.

In August, 1/ST Racing and Gaming proposed moving the Preakness Stakes to a later date to ensure the safety of the horses.

In comments to Thoroughbred Daily News, CEO Aidan Butler said the company was strongly considering moving the Preakness to four weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The Preakness is typically held two weeks after the Derby.

"We have discussed it internally and believe it's in the best interests of horses and horse safety to move the race four weeks after the Kentucky Derby," Butler told the publication. "This would give horses more time to recover between races to be able to run in the Preakness. Horse safety is more important than tradition."

The Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes have been run over five weeks beginning the first Saturday in May since 1969, except for 2020 when the races happened out of order because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New York Racing Association Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna previously told the Associated Press the organization had no plans to move the date of the Belmont Stakes, which is run in Elmont, New York.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed this Wednesday when her office announced the Belmont will be held June 8, according to the Banner.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated the Preakness would run two weeks before the Kentucky Derby. The story has been corrected to state the race happens two weeks after the Derby. Patch apologizes for the error.