CDI, NYRA Launch Thoroughbred Championship Series

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Thu Aug 06, 2026, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

CDI, NYRA Launch Thoroughbred Championship Series

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Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have unveiled the Thoroughbred Championship Series. 

This is a new six-race circuit designed to extend interest in elite three-year-old horse racing beyond the Kentucky Derby. The series will debut in 2027 and feature a season-long points race, ending with a lucrative championship bonus.

The announcement marks one of the most significant changes to American Thoroughbred racing in decades. While supporters believe the format modernizes the sport, critics argue it could diminish the importance of the traditional Triple Crown.

For racing fans comparing the best horse racing betting sites, the new championship also creates additional marquee events throughout the summer and early fall.

Thoroughbred Championship Series Aims to Create a Season-Long Championship

The Thoroughbred Championship Series will feature six premier races across the 2027 season. Horses will accumulate points in each event before competing for a $5 million championship bonus awarded to the overall series winner.

The six-race circuit spans the heart of the racing calendar, beginning with the Kentucky Derby and concluding at Churchill Downs in September.

Proposed 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series Schedule

Month Race / Event Venue
May 1 Kentucky Derby (G1) Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
June 5 Belmont Stakes (G1) Belmont Park (Elmont, New York)
July Matt Winn Stakes (G3) Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)
July/August Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, New York)
Late August Travers Stakes (G1) Saratoga Race Course (Saratoga Springs, New York)
September Thoroughbred Championship Series Finale Churchill Downs (Louisville, Kentucky)

Instead of concentrating attention within the traditional five-week Triple Crown schedule, CDI and NYRA want fans to follow elite three-year-olds throughout the racing season.

Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen believes the new structure will strengthen fan engagement and encourage top horses to continue competing after the Kentucky Derby.

"This isn't simply about adding another series to the calendar – it's about connecting our greatest event into one compelling season," Carstanjen said. "It's about giving fans a reason to follow the sport's biggest stars beyond the Kentucky Derby. And it's about creating meaningful incentives that encourage the nation's leading 3-year olds to continue competing against one another throughout the summer and into the fall."

NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the long-term vision behind the partnership.

"This series is designed to showcase the sport's best 3-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke said in a statement.

The organizations said modern training schedules inspired the format. Today's horses race less frequently than previous generations, making it increasingly difficult to keep the sport's biggest stars competing against one another after the Kentucky Derby.

Why the Preakness Stakes Was Left Out

The absence of the Preakness Stakes immediately became the biggest talking point following the announcement.

CDI and NYRA said the current Triple Crown calendar leaves only two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Many trainers now consider that turnaround too demanding for modern Thoroughbreds. As a result, Derby winners and other leading contenders frequently skip the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The organizations instead designed a schedule that stretches from May through September, giving horses additional recovery time between races while encouraging repeated matchups among the sport's best three-year-olds.

The Matt Winn Stakes also played a key role in shaping the championship. Held several weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the Grade 3 race provides a natural bridge into the Belmont Stakes before the series shifts to Saratoga for the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes.

Beyond the sporting rationale, the series also reflects the business relationship between its organizers. CDI owns Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby, while NYRA operates Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course, and their signature events.

By contrast, the Preakness Stakes is owned by the Maryland Jockey Club, which is part of 1/ST under The Stronach Group. The new championship therefore brings together races controlled by CDI and NYRA, leaving the independently owned Preakness outside the circuit.

Preakness Exclusion Sparks Strong Industry Reaction

The decision has generated widespread debate throughout the racing industry.

Since 1873, the Preakness Stakes has stood as one of America's signature horse races. It became the second jewel of the Triple Crown alongside the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, helping create one of sports' most celebrated traditions.

Many industry observers worry that excluding the Preakness could weaken the Triple Crown's prestige over time. Others fear fans may become divided between following the historic Triple Crown and the new championship circuit.

Maryland officials and the Maryland Jockey Club responded by reaffirming their commitment to preserving the Preakness and the Triple Crown tradition. While various scheduling options, including moving the race later in May, have been discussed publicly, officials have emphasized that the 2027 calendar has not been finalized. 

Any changes to the Preakness schedule will be announced after further discussions with racing stakeholders.

Supporters of the Thoroughbred Championship Series argue the expanded schedule better reflects modern racing practices. They also believe additional marquee races will create more opportunities for fans and bettors alike.

Whether the new format ultimately complements or overshadows the Triple Crown remains uncertain. Still, the partnership between CDI and NYRA has already reshaped the conversation surrounding the future of American Thoroughbred racing.

As the inaugural season approaches, racing enthusiasts and visitors to the best horse racing betting sites will closely watch how owners, trainers, and fans embrace the new championship.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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