Why the 2026 Preakness is not at Pimlico but at Laurel Park
Saturday's Preakness will be run at Laurel Park, another Maryland track as Pimlico is being rebuilt.
The Triple Crown is the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. For years, the trifecta of races has been synonymous with Churchill Downs, Pimlico Race Course, and Belmont Park. Not anymore.
On May 9, 2026, the streak of Preakness Stakes being held at Pimlico will end after 116 years. The facility is being rebuilt and this year's race will take place at Laurel Park , another Maryland track. To add to the oddities, the Belmont will once again be run at Saratoga as the Long Island track continues to be rebuilt.
No one will have to worry if there will be an asterisk if a horse were to win the Triple Crown in races at Churchill, Laurel and Saratoga. For the third time in five years, the Derby winner is skipping the middle jewel. Hard to blame Golden Tempo's connection when all of 4,800 will be in attendance on Saturday.
That's the number the crowd has been capped at. Belmont will be ready later this year, in plenty of time for next year's Triple Crown. Pimlico is under construction and the plan is for it to be set, too, for the 2027 Preakness.