While many might have differing views, it seems unlikely that Major League Baseball will ever consider replacing the World Series. The NFL seems firmly committed to the Super Bowl, and the NHL is dedicated to preserving the Stanley Cup.
In the world of horse racing, the prestigious Triple Crown stands out as its equivalent.
Even though Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association have recently introduced a new championship racing series for three-year-olds that excludes the Preakness, this will not diminish the significance of the Triple Crown in the hearts of countless Americans who may only tune in once each year.
Between May and June, the focus of horse racing gathers attention, especially during the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, with the Belmont Stakes coming into play if a horse wins the first two events. The rare horses capable of clinching all three titles, such as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, American Pharoah, and the 2018 winner Justify, are the ones that leave lasting impressions.
For trainers, owners, and jockeys alike, attaining victory in the Triple Crown or even just one or two of the races is regarded as the pinnacle of achievement in their sport.
When news broke regarding Churchill Downs’ decision to leave the Preakness out of its new racing series—essentially sidelining Baltimore and the Pimlico Race Course—I did not share the panic that some others expressed. I also did not jump to the conclusion that Maryland’s political and racing leaders had been neglectful.
“They were playing chess while Maryland was playing checkers,” a Facebook user remarked, suggesting an exaggerated level of strategic brilliance attributed to Churchill Downs and the NYRA that still waits to be proven. Establishing a new narrative in the public consciousness can be immensely challenging when a century-old tradition is at play.
Additionally, understanding the context reveals that Churchill Downs may have behaved not out of shrewd decision-making, but out of a sense of retribution—possibly due to the company’s loss of the rights to the Preakness brand when Maryland exercised its rights to match a competing bid.
As a result, Maryland retains ownership of this crucial brand.
In the meantime, Governor Wes Moore announced a six-year extension for NBC’s coverage of the Preakness Stakes, which is set to be held on a revised schedule, occurring on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend starting in 2028. By that time, we can expect a revamped Pimlico Race Course.
This transformation certainly looks promising.
Moreover, Pimlico is slated to host the majority of the state’s racing dates, ensuring an increase in horse racing throughout the year in Baltimore. This revitalized presence is anticipated to foster excitement for the sport and bolster the thoroughbred racing industry in Maryland.
Beyond the racing element, this presents a unique opportunity for Baltimore to host a grand celebration. The Preakness Festival could evolve into a larger event than ever before, featuring concerts and social gatherings over an extended period and across multiple venues, culminating in a championship weekend.
The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is also expected to receive heightened visibility and public interest.
With large crowds coming together for a celebratory atmosphere, the Preakness Stakes could significantly increase its prestige, while the festival could become a prime attraction for visitors, particularly with promotional backing from the Maryland Stadium Authority and NBC and Peacock.
The potential for growth is substantial.
Excuse my enthusiasm; my appreciation for horse racing and the wonderful individuals associated with it is genuine. When conducted with care and compassion, it truly is a magnificent sport.
Preakness Week holds renewed promise as a significant holiday for the city.
If the new Pimlico Race Course marks a turning point and positively impacts the Park Heights community, it will signify another bold step towards Baltimore’s next renaissance.
While I haven’t used that term in years, it feels as though we are witnessing encouraging developments in the city, despite the challenges posed by the national economy. Baltimore has made notable strides in curbing violent crime and reducing the number of vacant houses. Numerous new developments have emerged across the city, with even more on the horizon.
What could be a long-overdue second renaissance in Baltimore may very well be unfolding right in front of us.
Naturally, living in this city for an extended period encourages cautious optimism regarding ongoing civic improvement. However, I genuinely believe we have been consistently moving in a positive direction, and it would be remarkable if we can maintain that momentum.
Fortunately, there are many individuals in our community who sincerely care about the future of our city, diligently working at the grassroots level to enact positive change.
This weekend in Little Italy showcases the potential for uniting the old and new essence of Baltimore—a revival of longstanding traditions intertwined with the creation of new ones.
The Feast of St. Gabriel, which has been on hiatus since the pandemic, will resume in the streets, now expanded significantly through its collaboration with the Light Up Little Italy festival. This three-day event will span additional blocks and offer an even wider array of food, beverages, and live music.
While I wasn’t consulted on this matter, the fusion of these two festivals appears to be a brilliant and lasting initiative. To the organizers, we wish you all the best: “In bocca a lupo.”
I recently listened to a new country song by Tom Meltzer titled “Don’t S— on Baltimore!,” which calls on both locals and those outside the city—from just beyond the Beltway to central Pennsylvania—to cease mocking Baltimore and take joy in its struggles:
The fault’s not just with Pennsyltucky
Would that we could be so lucky
It also is a problem much closer to home
Just get just outside the Beltway
And hear what people say
About the town they claim to call their own
Meltzer urges us to take pride in Baltimore and challenge the notion that we cannot have, or do not already possess, the good things in life.
Dan Rodricks writes weekly for Baltimore Fishbowl. The song, “Don’t S— on Baltimore!” is the advance single from Tom Meltzer’s upcoming album, “Nice Things (Tailor’s Version),“ set to release on September 4.
