Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association on Monday announced a six-race championship series over a span of five months that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes and a $5 million prize pool, set to begin next year. A spokesperson for the Maryland Jockey Club said a date for the Preakness next year has not yet been announced and declined comment on the championship series of races in Kentucky and New York. This championship series includes the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in Louisville in July and the Jim Dandy and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course later in the summer. NBC is set to broadcast the races at Churchill Downs and Fox the ones in New York. “By connecting these premier events through one championship, we’re creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of thoroughbred racing,” Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said.