On Monday, NYRA and Churchill Downs broke the internet.

On Tuesday, the industry played damage control. 👀

Today? The Preakness made a huge announcement.

Let’s get to it already,

— Abby

NYRA and Churchill Downs set the horse racing world on fire Monday, with the announcement of a six-race super-series called the Thoroughbred Championship. It includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont (and two races here in Saratoga) — but not the Preakness.

After fans reacted just how you think they would, the industry’s A-listers jumped into damage control, with heavyweights such as Bob Baffert and Mike Repole taking to social media to applaud the new series while trying to ease fears about the Preakness being pushed to the side.

And today? After Front Office Sports reported that Amazon, Netflix and Fox Sports had all vied for rights to the Preakness, the middle Triple Crown jewel made a huge announcement.

Not only would NBC Sports retain its rights, but the Preakness was moving back a week … and to a Sunday.

That’s right: Preakness weekend will now feature the Black-Eyed Susan on Saturday, May 22 and the Preakness the next day. “This extra week between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness,” said Bill Knauf, President and GM of the Maryland Jockey Club, at a press conference today, “opens the Preakness to potential participants who use modern training methods.”

Haunted New York is just a week and change away!

All ages! New York paranormal and metaphysical experience Saturday, August 15 at the City Center

Experiential day, including:

The in-house paranormal investigation is a game for the public to participate in — uncover hidden clues, piece together the mystery, and reveal the truth behind the haunting. Only the sharpest investigators will solve the case!

To grab your ticket (also available at the door) for this special August 15 event, visit Haunted New York.

Keep reading!

👉This collab with the Haunted in New York is brought to you in partnership with Evolve Today events. Got an upcoming event you’d like to share? Partner with the Dispatch!

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 60th anniversary residency begins tonight!

Tonight: Tchaikovsky Spectacular, per tradition. (Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, and Romeo and Juliet Overture, and the 1812 Overture. “We are one of the few venues that do actual cannons and live cannon fire as part of the work,” says SPAC President Chris Shiley. “And then we follow up with fireworks at the end of the program.”
Thursday: Mozart and Mahler
Friday: Brian Stokes Mitchell: Think Ragtime and Man of La Mancha. “But it’s not just a Broadway program,” promises Shiley.
Saturday: Movie night with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 — year 7, Potterheads!

Heading to Caroline Street to drown your sorrows after a tough betting day? For the first time ever, the Bourbon Room is offering anyone with a losing ticket 25% off select spirits.

BYO…F: “The best deal is Tree House because I bring what I want from home!” says an insider about the brewery’s “outside food is welcome” policy. “I usually bring a charcuterie board.” The brewery asks only that you “clean up after yourself.” Seems fair.

🚨 New app alert! New on the scene: a free app by the Discover Map. A quick perusal shows a free horse chocolate pop from Saratoga Candy and a BOGO deal from Grant Cottage. There’s also a helicopter experience I’ve got my eye on (they look like they’re getting the kinks out) and many more.

Honorary mentions: Chianti (swoon) is keeping their $10 Martini Mondays going all summer long. And what’s summer without burgers and dogs? Bibulous is here to help with the latter: three minis for just $6 bucks.