Wes Moore, speaking at Baltimore’s National Night Out, addressed the announcement and underscored the importance of the Preakness Stakes to the Triple Crown. “Let’s be clear, not only is the Triple Crown going to continue, there is no Triple Crown without Preakness, and if you want to win the Triple Crown, we’ll see you in Baltimore next year,” Moore said. The governor also highlighted Maryland’s recent $85 million bid to secure the rights to the Preakness Stakes, a move made after Churchill Downs attempted to purchase them. When asked about working with Churchill Downs, Moore said Maryland is open to collaboration but firmly stated, “Maryland’s hands need to be the hands that own Preakness, no one else’s.” Moore doubles down on Preakness deal amid uncertainty over raceCHECK OUT WBAL:Get all the latest Baltimore news, weather and sports.