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Churchill Downs and NYRA launch 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series
Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association announced a six‑race Thoroughbred Championship Series for three‑year‑old horses, slated to begin in 2027. The series will run over five months, starting with the Kentucky Derby in May and concluding with a championship finale at Churchill Downs in September. It includes the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes and a $5 million prize pool.
The races will be broadcast nationally on FOX and NBC. Belmont Park is expected to reopen in 2027, allowing the Belmont Stakes to return to its traditional venue. The Preakness Stakes is not part of the new series; the 2027 Preakness will return to Pimlico with limited capacity as renovations continue. Earlier, Churchill Downs attempted to purchase the Preakness intellectual property for $85 million, but Maryland exercised a right of first refusal and matched the offer.
Series officials described the launch as a foundation for future expansion, leaving open the possibility of adding other historic races such as the Haskell or Pennsylvania Derby. The initiative aims to extend fan engagement beyond the traditional Triple Crown schedule.
Entities
Belmont Stakes · Bill Carstanjen · Churchill Downs Incorporated · David O'Rourke · Kentucky Derby · New York Racing Association · Travers Stakes
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Churchill Downs attempted to purchase the intellectual property of the Preakness Stakes for $85 million, but Maryland matched the offer, preventing the acquisition. www.nytimes.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association announced a six‑race Thoroughbred Championship Series to begin in 2027. www.marketbeat.com · www.nytimes.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.horseracingnation.com · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The series will have a $5 million prize pool. www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.marketbeat.com · www.nytimes.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The series will be broadcast nationally on FOX and NBC. www.marketbeat.com · www.nytimes.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Belmont Park is expected to reopen in 2027 after construction, allowing the Belmont Stakes to return to its traditional venue. www.nytimes.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Preakness Stakes is not included in the new championship series. www.nytimes.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.horseracingnation.com · www.marketbeat.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The series will span five months and include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes, and a championship finale at Churchill Downs in September. www.marketbeat.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.haberaktuel.com · www.nytimes.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 2027 Preakness Stakes will return to Pimlico with limited capacity due to ongoing renovations. www.nytimes.com · www.haberaktuel.com