Horse Racing's New Series
CDI, NYRA Launch Six-Race Thoroughbred Championship Series with $5M Bonus to Boost Fan Engagement
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Key Points
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Belmont Stakes will be presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park on June 5, marking the race’s return to Belmont Park after three years at Saratoga, with Belmont Park undergoing transformation to host the event.
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Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in late July/early August and the Travers Stakes in late August are included in the inaugural Thoroughbred Championship Series, with exact dates to be announced.
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The series carries a $5 million bonus pool that is awarded based on final standings across the six races, in addition to the purses for each individual race.
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Executives describe the plan as showcasing the sport’s best 3-year-olds through a season-long championship and creating the next generation of fans, with NYRA’s David O’Rourke stating the series is designed to elevate the sport’s marquee events and broaden its audience.
Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association are joining forces to launch a six-race Thoroughbred Championship Series for 3-year-old horses, starting in 2027, according to Sports Business Journal. The series includes a $5 million bonus pool and will air on NBC and Fox, spanning five months of racing action.
The six races run from the Kentucky Derby on May 1 through a final championship race at Churchill Downs in September. The series is designed to keep the sport's best young horses competing all season — not just in May — and to build a new generation of fans, Courier-Journal reported.
Six Races, Five Months, One Champion
The Thoroughbred Championship Series kicks off with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2027. Next comes the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5. After that, the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga round out the summer. A final championship race at Churchill Downs closes things out in September, Yahoo Sports reported.
A points system will track horses across all six races. The $5 million bonus pool is split based on final standings — on top of each race's individual purse. The format rewards horses that show up and compete consistently, not just once in the spring.
Belmont Park Returns After Three-Year Absence
One of the biggest storylines is the Belmont Stakes returning to Belmont Park on June 5. The historic track has been undergoing major renovations. The race had been held at Saratoga for three years while construction took place. NYRA's president David O'Rourke said the series is built to "elevate the sport's marquee events and broaden its audience," according to Courier-Journal.
The return to Belmont Park gives the series a big-event feel at a renovated venue. Pairing that with national TV on NBC and Fox means millions of casual fans could tune in for the first time. Racing rarely gets that kind of consistent coverage across a full season.
No Preakness: Triple Crown Left Intact on Purpose
The Preakness Stakes is not part of the new series. That was a deliberate choice. Executives made clear the Thoroughbred Championship Series is meant to run alongside the Triple Crown — not replace it. The Kentucky Derby and Belmont are included, but the Preakness, owned by the Maryland Jockey Club, sits outside the deal, Nation of Blue noted.
That gap has drawn some questions from industry observers. Critics wonder whether skipping the Preakness could create an uneven picture of which horse is truly the best 3-year-old. Supporters argue the series still covers racing's biggest events and creates a longer, more compelling season-long story.
A Push to Grow Horse Racing Beyond the Derby Window
Horse racing has long struggled to hold fan attention after the Kentucky Derby fades from the spotlight each May. This series directly targets that problem. By linking six major races into one unified championship — with a $5 million prize on the line — CDI and NYRA are betting that fans will follow along all summer, Wave3 reported.
National TV deals with NBC and Fox are central to that plan. Casual viewers need a reason to tune in beyond a single Saturday in May. A season-long points race, with a clear champion crowned in September, gives broadcasters a storyline to sell and fans a reason to keep watching.
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