1/ST Racing & Gaming told the Thoroughbred Daily News this week that it is strongly considering moving the date of the Preakness Stakes to four weeks after the Kentucky Derby, rather than the current two-week turnaround.
“This would give horses more time to recover between races to be able to run in the Preakness,” Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, told TDN. “Horse safety is more important than tradition. NYRA is aware and considering how this would impact the Belmont. Stay tuned.”
In 2023, only one horse from the Kentucky Derby, the victorious Mage, returned two weeks later to attempt the Preakness at Pimlico. In 2022, the Derby winner Rich Strike skipped the Preakness altogether.
The Belmont Stakes, currently run five weeks after the Kentucky Derby, would thus be held one week after the Preakness unless the New York Racing Association also plans to change their race schedule. However, NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna told TDN there are no such plans in the works.
“NYRA has concerns about fundamental changes to the structure of the Triple Crown,” McKenna told TDN. “We have no plans to move the date of the Belmont Stakes.”
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
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