After more than 100 years at its long time Baltimore home, the Preakness Stakes is formally heading to a brand-new racetrack for the first time in more than a century.The renowned Maryland horse race, which has been nicknamed” the second jewel of the Triple Crown,” will briefly move from the Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park for its 151st running on May 16, as massive redevelopment efforts continue at Pimlico. The move marks the first time given that 1909 that the
distinguished race will not be held at Pimlico, which has acted as the event’s main home for the previous 115 years. It is not, however, the very first time that the
race has been transferred. Though it was developed at Pimlico in 1873, when it was called after a horse that had declared success in the track’s inaugural race 3 years previously, the Preakness relocated to a brand-new home in Westchester County after 16 years in Baltimore. The race moved once again in 1894, when it was held at a track in Brooklyn, where it remained until 1908, when its homecoming was lastly revealed. It went back to Pimlico in 1909, where it has been held ever since. After more than 150 years at its long time Baltimore home, the Preakness Stakes
is officially heading to a new racetrack for the very first time in more than a century.Emilee Chinn/Getty Images While the latest venue shift is temporary, the change represents among the most dramatic shakeups in modern Triple Crown history.Maryland officials formerly authorized a sweeping redevelopment plan targeted at modernizing Pimlico through an approximately $400 million restoration project. It consists of demolishing the aging grandstand and reconstructing big parts of the historic racetrack. As building ramps up, Laurel Park, which is located approximately 30 miles south of Baltimore, will act as the momentary home for the nationally televised
race. The moving is also expected to shine a major spotlight on Anne Arundel County, with regional authorities anticipating a considerable financial boost
tied to tourist, hospitality, and entertainment surrounding race weekend.”We’re really thrilled about the nationwide attention that will bring into our neighborhood, “Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation President and CEO
Amy Gowan told WMAR2 News.”And to be able to really convert that and equate that into local and financial effect.”The race itself stays among the most prestigious events in U.S. horse racing.The Preakness Stakes generally happens two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and 3 weeks before the Belmont Stakes, drawing in some of the sport’s leading 3-year-old thoroughbreds each year. The iconic horse race, which has actually been nicknamed “the 2nd gem of the Triple Crown,”will momentarily move from Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park for its 151st running on May 16, 2026, as huge redevelopment efforts continue at Pimlico.
Patrick Smith/Getty ImagesThe move marks the very first time considering that 1908 that the prestigious race will not be held at Pimlico, which had served as the occasion’s primary home considering that 1909. Rob Carr/Getty ImagesWhile the location shift is short-lived, the modification represents among the most dramatic shakeups in modern Triple Crown history.Emilee Chinn/Getty Images This year’s race, nevertheless, shows up in the middle of considerable shift for the sport overall.Not just is the location altering, however the future ownership structure of the Preakness brand is progressing too. Earlier this year, Churchill Downs Incorporated revealed an$85 million contract to acquire the intellectual property rights to both the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Racing.
The offer would efficiently unify the very first two legs of the Triple Crown– the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness– under the exact same business umbrella for the very first time. The temporary transfer to Laurel Park could likewise affect the racing itself.Industry analysts have noted that Laurel’s track setup differs considerably from Pimlico’s historical layout, potentially favoring horses and jockeys with more experience racing in your area. Regardless of the major venue shift, Maryland authorities have actually consistently emphasized that the move is temporary, with plans for the Preakness to return to a freshly restored Pimlico in 2027.
Still, for long time racing fans, the 2026 edition of the Preakness will mark completion of a period, and the beginning of a really various chapter for among horse racing’s most storied traditions.Kelsi Karruli is a senior celeb
press reporter who joined Realtor.com in 2025. She writes about trends including realty and celeb residential or commercial properties. She previously composed for Daily Mail, True Urban Culture, and JMedia Corporation, where
she concentrated on covering celebrities, relationships, psychology, and gender concerns. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Speed University, where she got the James Rose Award for excellence in journalism. When she isn’t updating readers on A-listers’ moves, she is hanging out with her feline, Mary, and cheering on the Albanian soccer group.