NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
There will be no Triple Crown chance for Golden Tempo, the longshot horse that won the Kentucky Derby last week.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday that she and the owners decided it was best for the horse to skip the Preakness Stakes, the next leg of the Triple Crown, with an eye toward the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
“We incredibly appreciate the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown race,” DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Derby-winning horse, wrote in a statement. “Golden gave us the race of his life in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him going forward is to give him a little more time after such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, wins the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
It is not unusual for the winner of the Kentucky Derby to forego the Preakness, which is scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Maryland. Golden Tempo marks the third Kentucky Derby winner in the last five years to skip the Preakness.
Last year’s winner Sovereignty was given an extra rest with Belmont in the sights of trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin Racing.
KENTUCKY DERBY SOVEREIGNTY WINNER SKIPS PREAKNESS, TRAINER SAYS: ‘WHAT’S BEST FOR THE HORSE’
One of the main reasons behind this is the short schedule between the Derby and Preakness, as both trainers and owners do not want to put pressure on their prized horse with the two-week turnaround. While it has been much debated, it has not changed as racing teams keep their horses in training rather than competing.
The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018, with American Pharoah before him in 2015.
Golden Tempo’s jockey Jose Ortiz celebrates in the winner’s circle after winning the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
It’s also worth noting that none of the 18 horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby will be at Laurel Park for the Preakness. Golden Tempo was the only horse considered for the second leg of the Triple Crown, but the team has made its intentions known.
Golden Tempo has created quite the history since the improbable 23-1 rally down the stretch of the 1 1/4-mile race to victory.
The 3-year-old chestnut Thoroughbred colt caused a scandal between DeVaux and the rest of the owner’s box, as you can surely understand.
Jockey José L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to victory in the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 2, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
“I don’t even have words right now,” an emotional DeVaux said on the NBC broadcast after altering the race to overtake favorite Renegade.
Jockey José Ortiz won the Derby for the first time in his career. It was his 11th attempt and he beat his brother Irad, who rode the Todd Pletcher-trained colt.
