The Preakness Stakes, a major horse racing event, will be held on a Sunday for the first time in its history. This change is part of a larger effort to revamp the horse racing calendar and attract more participants.

Background

The Preakness Stakes has traditionally been held on the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. However, in recent years, fewer horses have been participating in the event. By moving the Preakness to a Sunday, organizers hope to give horses more time to rest and recover between races.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Jockey Club announced the decision to move the Preakness to a Sunday. The change is expected to take effect next year and will be accompanied by a new media rights agreement with NBC Sports.

Impact on the Horse Racing Calendar

The move is expected to have a significant impact on the horse racing calendar. The Preakness will now be held three weeks and a day after the Kentucky Derby, giving horses more time to recover between races. The change may also affect the Belmont Stakes, which is typically held five weeks after the Kentucky Derby.

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, a renowned horse trainer, has expressed support for the change. He stated that if he has a strong horse, he will continue to participate in the Preakness.

The move is also expected to have economic benefits for the local community. The Preakness is a major event that attracts thousands of visitors to the area, and the change is expected to boost tourism and revenue for local businesses.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.