For over a century, the Triple Crown has been defined by three iconic venues: Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, Pimlico Race Course for the Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Park for the Belmont Stakes. But tradition is taking a detour in 2026, as the Preakness—the second jewel of horse racing's most coveted prize—will be run at Laurel Park in Maryland instead of its historic home at Pimlico.
Why the change? Pimlico is undergoing a major rebuild, a long-awaited renovation that will modernize the aging facility. Until it's ready to host the Preakness again—likely in 2027—Laurel Park steps in as the temporary host. This isn't the first time the Triple Crown has seen a venue shuffle: the Belmont Stakes has also been run at Saratoga while Belmont Park undergoes its own reconstruction. For racing fans, it's a season of change, but the prestige of the races remains intact.
One thing that hasn't changed? The challenge of the Triple Crown itself. For the third time in five years, the Kentucky Derby winner will skip the Preakness. This year, Golden Tempo's connections opted out, and it's hard to blame them given the circumstances: Saturday's race will be capped at just 4,800 spectators, a far cry from the usual crowds that pack the infield and grandstands. Still, 14 horses will line up at the starting gate for the 1 3/16-mile test, including three Derby alumni: Incredibolt, Orcelli, and Robusta, who finished sixth, third, and 14th, respectively, at Churchill Downs.
Laurel Park may be a temporary home, but it's not without its own storied history. Legendary Triple Crown winners like Count Fleet, Citation, Secretariat, and Affirmed all won the Laurel Futurity as 2-year-olds before etching their names into racing immortality. For this year's Preakness, that legacy adds a layer of nostalgia to an otherwise unfamiliar setting.
Looking ahead, the future of Maryland horse racing remains a topic of debate. Once Pimlico's reconstruction is complete, Laurel Park is expected to transition into a full-time training facility—provided the political hurdles surrounding the sport's infrastructure can be cleared. Meanwhile, the Triple Crown schedule itself could see changes: there's talk of moving the Preakness to three weeks after the Derby, with the Belmont potentially shifting back a week to accommodate. Those decisions will play out in boardrooms and legislative chambers, but for now, all eyes are on Laurel Park.
Saturday's race may lack the familiar backdrop of Pimlico's historic stands, but the drama, the speed, and the pursuit of glory remain unchanged. Whether you're watching from home or following the action in person, this year's Preakness is a reminder that even in horse racing, change can be as thrilling as the race itself.