Preakness could shift to three weeks after Derby in 2027 report

The Triple Crown’s tight calendar could be the next thing to break open, and the biggest winners would likely be the horses that need more than 14 days to rebound from a Kentucky Derby grind. A reported plan to move the Preakness one week later in May would create a three-week gap after the Derby starting as soon as 2027, a change that could reshape training decisions, improve field quality, and alter the way the series defines itself.

That matters because the current schedule has barely changed since 1969, when the modern spacing took hold. In the decades since, only five horses have managed the sweep: Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah and Justify. The current pattern still asks a 1 1/4-mile Derby winner to come back two weeks later for the Preakness at 1 3/16 miles, then stretch to 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont Stakes. For many barns, that leaves little margin for a hard race, a bruised ankle or a taxing trip.

Recent history has only sharpened the argument. Sovereignty and Rich Strike, both recent Kentucky Derby winners, skipped the Preakness, underscoring how often the middle jewel loses star power when the recovery window is so short. A three-week gap could tempt more Derby winners to stay in play, bring back horses that need time, and give trainers like Bill Mott more flexibility in mapping out a campaign without forcing a rushed decision.

The broadcast business may end up driving that sporting debate. NBC’s Preakness rights expire after the 2026 race, while NBC’s Derby contract runs through 2032 and FOX’s Belmont deal runs through 2030. FOX, Amazon and Netflix are all said to be interested if the Preakness becomes available, and the fate of the Belmont could also shift depending on who lands the middle jewel. That makes this more than a scheduling tweak. It is a negotiation over the shape of the Triple Crown itself.

The timing is especially sensitive because Preakness 151 is already set for Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Laurel Park, about 30 miles from Pimlico Race Course, which is closed for redevelopment. The race is expected to return to Pimlico in 2027, the same year the calendar could be redrawn. If the sport does move to a three-week Derby-to-Preakness gap, it could produce fuller fields and healthier stars. It could also weaken one of racing’s last great traditions, where the pressure of quick turnaround has long been part of the test.