Maryland Jockey Club president and general manager Bill Knauf has denied a published report that it is "set" to move the date of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and said it is premature to say there will definitely be a date change.
"We are in the middle of media rights negotiations and have yet to meet with two potential partners. It is unfortunate that the story was written that way so that people believe that everything is settled," Knauf said.
A story posted April 13 by the Sports Business Journal, citing sources, reported, "The second leg of the Triple Crown is set to make a historic shift to one week later in May."
The story linked the change to the race's media rights as NBC's broadcast contract for the May 16 Preakness is coming to an end this year.
BloodHorse has previously reported the New York Racing Association might consider moving the Belmont Stakes (G1) back a week, allowing the Preakness to do the same, if FOX acquires the media rights to the middle jewel in the Triple Crown due to the business partnership between the two.
FOX has the broadcast rights to the Belmont Stakes, NYRA's "America's Day at the Races" and "Saratoga Live" shows, and has a 25% equity stake in NYRA Bets, NYRA's advance-deposit wagering platform.
But if NBC retains the rights or if the rights are acquired by a streaming service, NYRA would most likely be unwilling to shift the Belmont Stakes.
Knauf said it is too early in the media rights negotiations to predict where they will land and what impact it would have on the Preakness date.
"The process has been slowed by coordinating schedules," he said. "We would love to have our media partner in place by this year's Preakness but I don't know if we will be able to stay on that course. We are holding all of our meetings and after that we will circle back with NYRA and Churchill Downs and talk with them. We are exploring all possibilities for dates and who will be our business partners."
With Pimlico Race Course closed for reconstruction, the Preakness will be held May 16 at Laurel Park. Pimlico is expected to reopen in 2027 and will return to its role as the host for the May classic for 3-year-olds, but it is unlikely the grandstand will be ready by then and attendance could be limited to infield areas.
