Updated: Preakness Stakes 2020 getting a new fall date?
WBAL-TV, Baltimore's NBC affiliate that broadcasts the Preakness Stakes, reports that TV time has been booked for Pimlico's signature race on Oct. 3.
Before Wednesday's news broke, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan had announced the Preakness would be postponed from May 16 with the date to be determined. Currently, racing is halted in Maryland because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Stronach Group, which operates Pimlico and the Maryland Jockey Club, responded with a statement Wednesday saying it's aware of the report.
"At this point, there is no definitive date set and we continue to explore options," the statement reads. "Once a date for Preakness 145 has been finalized, an official announcement will be made."
Presumably, NBC could have been reserving space for the Preakness should officials settle upon Oct. 3, knowing an increasingly crowded sports calendar could fill in by the fall. The Associated Press later reported, citing an anonymous source, that a Preakness in July or August is also under consideration.
Before WBAL's story broke, a prominent trainer with a Preakness hopeful shared with Horse Racing Nation that the first Saturday in October was the presumed race date, too. Should the news go official, that puts the Triple Crown jewel four weeks after the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and five weeks before the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.
A date for the Belmont Stakes, traditionally the third leg of the series, has not been confirmed as the New York Racing Association awaits its own return to business. The Belmont was originally scheduled for June 6, with horsemen speculating in recent days it could run later in June and shorter than its regular 1 1/2-mile distance.
This could all make the Preakness a potential deciding Triple Crown race should the series be honored in a 2020 season ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As for those hoping to attend the Preakness, Pimlico's Infield Fest has already been canceled, while it remains unknown if the rescheduled race would permit fans of any type on site.