Equestrian Officials Contemplate Thrilling Date Change for Triple Crown’s Second Leg

In the United States talk about horse racing is incomplete without mention of Triple Crown. Triple Crown is a name given to the most prestigious and historical races in the equestrian calendar of the country. The races are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes which are held in the course of five weeks.

Recently, the schedule of one of the legs of Triple Crown races has been under discussion which might impact the other races of the series. The organizers of the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes are considering changing the dates of the race. The matter was discussed during the commission meeting as there were reservations from the other race organizers.

Conversation of change in dates of equestrian race

Last month the news came about the 1/ST Racing and Gaming, a branch of the Stronach Group, the organizer of races at Pimlico Race Course is considering a change in dates of the Preakness Stakes. They argued that the Stakes is currently held on the third Saturday of May every year, two weeks after the first Triple Crown race Kentucky Derby which is held at Churchill Downs. The time frame between the two races is quite short and many horses that participate in Derby skip the Preakness to focus on the last leg of the race, the Belmont Stakes. According to Blood-Horse, the matter was discussed in the September 5 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.

The organizers think that the two more week gap may give enough time for the horses of Derby to rest and participate at Pimlico. But, the issue is this will lead to a week gap between Preakness and the last race Belmont Stakes which is now three weeks. This year only Mage, the winner of Kentucky Derby was the only one from the Derby race to take part in Preakness Stakes. The Belmont Stakes organizers the New York Racing Association have shown their reluctance on the matter saying they do not have any plan to change the dates of the last stakes.

Talks with NYRA regarding equestrian stakes schedule

Last month when the plan to change in Preakness schedule came to light, the New York Racing Association shared their concern about the fundamental change in the structure of the Triple Crown races. They clarified that they have no intention to change the dates of the Belmont Stakes. During the commission meeting, when the acting president of the Maryland Jockey Club, owned by 1/ST Racing and Gaming, Mike Rogers was asked about the NYRA stand he said that talks with them are going on.

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He further said that the matter was on the table but no final decision was taken. But, Mike Rogers gave a hint in the end that the decision related to the change in dates might be finalized by the next Maryland Racing Commission on 31st October 2023.

The issue of change in dates of the Preakness Stakes is quite huge considering the stakes involved and its impact on other Triple Crown races. Mike Rogers has spoken up about the talks with NYRA on the issue and we hope a positive decision comes out of it took keep the charm and tradition of the Triple Crown alive and attractive.

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