Although the Thoroughbred industry is still trying to come to grips with seismic schedule changes to the Triple Crown that were disclosed last week in two major announcements, members of the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) largely avoided discussion of the GI Preakness Stakes during Wednesday's monthly meeting.Aside from a perfunctory summation of Preakness-related transactions during the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) report, plus public comments from two citizens about the Preakness being moved to 22 days after the GI Kentucky Derby and the controversial partnership between Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) that will exclude the Preakness from their new championship series, only one commissioner ventured an opinion.“We do need to be not be [in] gloom about [the Preakness],” said commissioner Bobby Lillis. “I mean, we are in gloom about what's happening. But it's up to us to make it successful. And we can, and we will. There will be a Preakness. There will be excitement. And we will stay on the map.”Although future changes to the Preakness schedule (and all of the Triple Crown races, particularly the GI Belmont Stakes) are possible beyond 2027, Doug Illig, the MJC's chief financial officer, said the extension of the Preakness media rights agreement with NBC Sports through 2032 puts the Preakness on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend in every year between 2028 and 2031.That spacing affords the middle jewel of the Triple Crown a break of three weeks and one day after the Derby instead of the traditional two weeks.But the 2027 edition–and presumably future runnings of the Preakness–would now occur just 13 days before the Belmont Stakes.April Smith, who often speaks at MJC meetings on behalf of an organization called Friends of Pimlico, said during the public comment section that “It is nice to know that even the national experts agree that Churchill Downs did not come off well in their attempt to keep the people of Maryland from owning our historic race…“We need the public to be positive about this new chapter in Maryland racing,” Smith continued. “It is more important than ever that we prove to Kentucky, New York and everywhere that we will no longer be that little race to skip.”Damon Knauss gave a different perspective. He told the board he's a colonel in the United States Army and a professor of military science. He now lives in Maryland after relocating from Kentucky and said he's planning on increasing his participation in the sport as an owner and breeder.“I was a large owner of Churchill Downs stock,” Knauss said. “Not anymore, after the antics that happened last week. My wife and I are going to make a significant investment in breeding and racing in Maryland as I retire from service and go into my second career. So I'm speaking as a 47-year-old man that's going to probably invest $3 to $5 million in taking a risk in breeding in Maryland.”Cupola at Pimlico | HorsephotosKnauss said that although he thinks the under-construction version of Pimlico has potential to be the “best track in the country,” and that he applauds state officials for “having the courage” to secure the intellectual property rights to the Preakness, he is troubled about the future of the Triple Crown.Knauss alleged that the CDI/NYRA agreement amounted to collusion, a characterization that has not been established.“And as a military officer, I speak to you and I want to make a suggestion: Everyone knew that the [Preakness] date was going to move. It was discussed in the media deal, and it was leaked. And then Churchill Downs maneuvered on you…If NYRA does not move the date of the Belmont, the Triple Crown is at risk and so is the Preakness,” Knauss said.“And what I would suggest in this forum is to seriously think about out-maneuvering Churchill Downs and moving to the front: A date in April. This would align the distance of the races correctly, and they would build [momentum].“Now, there is some concern with a few things,” Knauss acknowledged. “The date of Easter in April. It would affect some Derby preps. And, as we all know, that's steeplechase season in Maryland. But it would change the narrative. And I think that's crucial in this case.“My hope is [the] Belmont [Stakes] moves and NYRA does the right thing,” Knauss said. “But if not, I would seriously suggest looking at maybe maneuvering around Churchill Downs, and moving the Preakness to the front.“You won't be second anymore. You could start the Triple Crown. And then the narrative would change from Derby winners skipping the Preakness to the Preakness winner and Preakness runners going to the Derby,” Knauss said.The post Maryland Commissioners Largely Silent On Perils And Promise Of Revamped Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.