1. Why are Kentucky Derby winners skipping the Preakness Stakes?
The two-week gap between the Derby and Preakness is considered too short for elite thoroughbreds, which typically rest a month or more between races. Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in five years to bypass the Preakness, and the race has run without a Triple Crown contender six of the last eight years.
2. What change is being considered, and who would make it happen?
Maryland officials are weighing a shift from two weeks to three weeks between the Derby and Preakness. The Maryland Jockey Club, which takes over control of the Preakness from 1/ST Racing next year, would be the decision-maker — but any change also depends on completing a new media rights deal and coordinating with Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association.
3. Would adding just one week actually fix the problem?
Most top trainers say no. Both Brad Cox and five-time trainer-of-the-year Chad Brown believe three weeks is still not enough, with Cox saying trainers at the highest level would want even more time. Brown, however, supports making a small shift first, calling the broader change inevitable.
4. What happens to the Belmont Stakes if the Preakness moves?
The Belmont would likely need to shift as well to avoid creating the same short-turnaround problem at the end of the Triple Crown. Moving it to a holiday weekend like July Fourth is considered unlikely due to weak fan interest, and the New York Racing Association has said only that it is “willing to engage” in discussions.
5. What is at stake beyond tradition if the schedule stays the same?
Attendance at last year’s Preakness was down 60% from pre-pandemic levels, and without Derby winners in the field, the race loses its marquee appeal. Trainer Chad Brown argues the current format is “not sustainable,” pointing to a broader trend of horses racing less frequently — and owners protecting long-term health and breeding value, as last year’s Derby winner Sovereignty demonstrated by skipping the Preakness and going on to earn nearly $6 million.
For more on this report, read “Preakness could soon move later, to three weeks after Kentucky Derby” from The Associated Press, published on The Washington Times.
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