Report: 1/ST considers moving Preakness date by 2 weeks

1/ST Racing & Gaming, which operates Pimlico, is considering changing the date of the Preakness Stakes to put more time between it and the Kentucky Derby.

The second leg of the Triple Crown would be run four weeks after the Derby rather than two weeks later, as it is scheduled now. Because of the tight timeframe, many Derby horses do not start in the Preakness, sometimes opting for the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.

Bill Finley of Thoroughbred Daily News reported the proposal Wednesday evening.

1/ST Racing & Gaming CEO Aidan Butler told Finley that the idea had been discussed internally, with company officials believing it would be in the best interest of horses and safety.

“This would give horses more time to recover between races to be able to run in the Preakness,” he said. “Horse safety is more important than tradition. NYRA is aware and considering how this would impact the Belmont. Stay tuned.”

The New York Racing Association is not in favor of the idea.

“NYRA has concerns about fundamental changes to the structure of the Triple Crown,” NYRA spokesperson Pat McKenna said in an email. “We have no plans to move the date of the Belmont Stakes.”

Many in the industry have called for the Triple Crown schedule to be adjusted, including Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. In a letter posted on TDN last month, he noted that the current schedule dates to 1932 and said it’s time to “modernize the timeline.”