Preakness runs in Laurel for first time in decades, offering glimpse of racing’s future

LAUREL, Md. (7News) — For the first time in decades, the Preakness isn’t being run in Baltimore, shifting instead to Laurel Park, which sits along the line between Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. Even with a new setting, the horse racing world remains focused on Maryland.

The Black-Eyed Susans are blooming, but this year’s second leg of the Triple Crown has a different backdrop. The race is being held at Laurel Park as a temporary move while Pimlico prepares for a major redevelopment project.

RELATED | Preakness could soon move later, to 3 weeks after the Kentucky Derby

Racing expert Pete Rotondo said this year’s field is larger than it has been in years. “There are 14 horses, there haven’t been that many horses in the Preakness since 2011,” Rotondo said.

In Maryland’s horse country, some fans said the smaller venue is creating a different kind of atmosphere. Racing consultant Maggie Magnier said, “You know what? I love it. It’s kind of more tight-knit. It’s smaller, but I’m digging it.” Magnier is familiar with the event, and her family’s horse won the Preakness last year.

Organizers said the move hasn’t changed the event’s reach. “People behind the scenes that help pull this event off, like people in Maryland, they care about this event, and we are gonna be broadcast around the world,” said Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST Racing.

Racing historians also said the sport itself may be headed for changes beyond location. They said the traditional two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness could expand as trainers push for more recovery time.

RELATED | Black-Eyed Susan Day 2026 | Here’s what to know

“Horsemen have changed their policies as far as how they handle their horses in more recent years. And they don’t wanna run horse is so close back off a race,” said Mike Kane, a racing historian. “So what’s gonna happen is the Preakness is gonna end up being moved, so it’s not just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. It’ll be three weeks or four weeks.”

As Maryland prepares for a new era of racing, some at Laurel Park said the stop there could become a small but historic chapter in Preakness history.