The 145th Preakness Stakes has been rescheduled for Oct. 3, an announcement delivered Saturday less than hour before the original post time for the Triple Crown race.
The parking lot of the track is currently being used as a drive-thru coronavirus testing center.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan disclosed the new date for the Preakness on NBC, which also had a hand in the decision because it televises the race.
“Under normal circumstances, I would be standing at Pimlico … presenting the Woodlawn Trophy to the winner of the 145th Preakness Stakes,” Hogan said.
“But as we all know these are not ordinary circumstances. However, I am proud to make this announcement on behalf of the state, the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland’s historic racing industry that Preakness 145 will be held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct. 3.”
Had the coronavirus pandemic not forced its postponement, the 145th running of the Preakness Stakes would have been held May 16.
The Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown, which also includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
The makeup date could keep the Preakness as the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, depending on the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes. The Kentucky Derby was switched from May 2 to Sept. 5, and the New York Racing Association is trying to determine the best date for the Belmont, originally scheduled for June 6.
Hogan said he had also spoken with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and NFL Comissioner Roger Goodell “to discuss contingency plans to safely resume operations in the coming months.”
When the Preakness goes off in October — 20 weeks later than its usual date — health concerns will dictate the protocol for fans in the grandstand.
Tens of thousand fans usually gather in the infield of the expansive facility to drink, bet, socialize and listen to bands, but InfieldFest 2020 has already been canceled.
The infield usually accounts for the largest percentage of attendance at the race, which last year drew 131,256 fans and took in a track-record handle of $99,852,653.
This year, attendance and betting are expected to decline sharply.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
