Randy Moss Accuses NYRA and Fox of 'Petty' Blame Game Over Triple Crown Turmoil
NBC Sports horse racing analyst Randy Moss has sharply criticized the New York Racing Association (NYRA) and Fox Sports, calling them "incredibly petty" for what he describes as a coordinated attempt to shift blame for the devaluation of the Triple Crown onto the Preakness Stakes. His comments come amid a turbulent week that saw the announcement of a new six-race Championship series—featuring the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but notably excluding the Preakness—and a subsequent date change for the Preakness, which will now run three weeks after the Derby instead of two.
During a segment this week, Moss alleged that the timing of the NYRA and Fox announcement—made just days before Maryland Governor Wes Moore confirmed the Preakness's new date and its continued partnership with NBC Sports through 2032—was deliberately designed to preempt criticism. "The announcement, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont was going to be three weeks after the Preakness. And lo and behold one week ago, they were informed that NBC would retain the rights instead of giving them to Fox," Moss said, suggesting that the series was unveiled to frame the Preakness as the odd leg out, rather than acknowledging the Belmont's role in the Triple Crown's scheduling woes.
The New Series and Its Omissions
The new Championship series, jointly announced by NYRA and Churchill Downs Incorporated, aims to crown a season-long champion among three-year-old Thoroughbreds, with a final at Churchill Downs in September. It includes the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, but the absence of the Preakness—historically the second jewel of the Triple Crown—was immediately conspicuous. Moss and other industry observers see this as a strategic move to marginalize the Preakness, which has struggled in recent years to attract the Derby winner due to the quick two-week turnaround.
The Preakness's traditional spot, just 14 days after the Derby, has been widely cited as a deterrent for top horses, many of whom prefer the longer five-week gap to the Belmont. This has led to a perception that the Preakness has lost luster, a narrative that Moss argues is being unfairly amplified by NYRA and Fox, who may be seeking to protect the Belmont's prestige and their own broadcasting interests.
A Power Play in Horse Racing's Media Landscape
The backdrop to this spat is a bitter battle for broadcasting rights. Fox currently holds the rights to the Belmont Stakes and several other major racing events, and had reportedly been a bidder for the Preakness. However, NBC ultimately retained the Preakness rights, a decision announced by Governor Moore alongside the date change. Moss contends that Fox and NYRA, having lost that bidding war, are now using the Championship series as a weapon to undermine the Preakness's standing.
This is not merely a corporate disagreement; it has significant implications for the sport. The Triple Crown is horse racing's most celebrated achievement, and any fracturing of its three-race structure could dilute its historical importance. By creating a rival championship series that excludes the Preakness, NYRA and Fox are essentially challenging the legitimacy of the Triple Crown as the sport's ultimate test. Moss's accusations resonate with fans who fear that commercial interests are overriding tradition.
The Broader Stakes for Racing
The timing of this controversy is particularly delicate. Horse racing is already facing scrutiny over safety, doping, and declining viewership. The last thing the sport needs is a public feud among its most powerful stakeholders—Churchill Downs, NYRA, and the Maryland Jockey Club. The new Preakness date, while aimed at increasing participation, is a significant change that could either revitalize the race or further alienate traditionalists.
Moss's comments also highlight a growing trend in sports media: the intertwining of broadcasting rights and event scheduling. Networks are no longer passive observers; they actively shape the calendar and structure of sports to maximize their investments. Fox's potential interest in the Preakness, and its subsequent exclusion from the project, suggests that the Championship series is as much about business as it is about crowning a champion.
For now, the horse racing world waits to see how the Preakness responds. Governor Moore's announcement of a new date and NBC's long-term commitment suggest that Maryland is not backing down. But with Moss—one of the most respected voices in the sport—publicly accusing NYRA and Fox of underhanded tactics, the stakes have been raised. The coming months will reveal whether the Triple Crown can withstand this latest pressure, or if the sport is entering a new era of fractured allegiances and competing spectacles.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the drama surrounding the Triple Crown is far from over. Randy Moss's pointed critique has put the spotlight squarely on the motivations behind the new series, and fans are left to wonder if the sport's leaders are more interested in tradition or in winning a media war.
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