Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Golden Tempo will not run in the May 16 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park and will instead await the June 6 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, according to trainer Cherie DeVaux.
The decision comes after DeVaux monitored his condition at her Keeneland base in the days following his last-to-first rally in the May 2 first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. The Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, comes just two weeks after the Derby—a short turnaround considered undesirable by many trainers—and one of the elements that make winning the Triple Crown so challenging. Only 13 horses through history have won the three-race series, which is wrapped up by the Belmont three weeks after the Preakness.
DeVaux's decision to skip the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown, makes Golden Tempo the third healthy Derby winner to skip the middle jewel of the Triple Crown since 2022. The connections of Rich Strike , the 2022 Derby upsetter, and last year's winner, Sovereignty, also opted to pass on running their colts there.
"We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run," DeVaux wrote in a social media post. "The enthusiasm from racing fans, our owners, and our entire team has meant more to us than we can properly express. 'Golden' gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority."
His defection from the race is likely to renew discussion of extending the time between the three legs of the series, a decision favored by some but not by some of the sport's traditionalists. Most current trainers are reluctant to race their top horses with only two or three weeks' rest, preferring at least a month.
DeVaux added, "We are looking forward to pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse." She further expressed her thanks for the support the colt and the connections have received.
A sizable field, but one lacking star power, is expected to compete. As many as 14 horses remain under consideration for the 151st Preakness Stakes: Chip Honcho, Corona de Oro, Crude Velocity, Crupper, Express Kid, Great White, Iron Honor, Napoleon Solo, Pretty Boy Miah, Silent Tactic, Taj Mahal, Talkin, Talk to Me Jimmy, and The Hell We Did.
Jose Ortiz, who rode Golden Tempo to victory in the Kentucky Derby, has picked up the ride on Chip Honcho.
The 1 3/16-mile Preakness will be run this year at Laurel Park rather than at its traditional home at Pimlico Race Course due to ongoing reconstruction there. The Belmont is also being staged at a different track than its customary home at Belmont Park and at a shorter 1 1/4-mile distance because Belmont Park also is being rebuilt.
