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Golden Tempo will not run in the Preakness Stakes after winning the Kentucky Derby, and trainer Cherie DeVaux said they are focused on the bigger picture.
DeVaux, 44, told Pakinomist Digital in a recent interview that most of the reaction to Golden Tempo not participating and missing out on a chance at the Triple Crown has been positive. She termed the criticism of the decision to rest Golden Tempo as unfair.
“It’s been a mix of both, mostly positive. Which I appreciate and I understand that fans of the sport or fans of the Triple Crown are disappointed, but the horse is not a machine,” DeVaux said.
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Trainer Cherie DeVaux stands outside a barn after a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on April 27, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo)
“I have to advocate as a trainer to the owners or clients and we had a conversation, it wasn’t my decision. It was a decision we made as a group and I’m sorry if people don’t understand what’s in it. ‘Why go into the Derby if you don’t want to run the Triple Crown?’ I think it’s unfair. We don’t commit to this and they’re horses like they’re animals and they’re not just a car where you can go out and drive them for two weeks. It doesn’t work that way, and if you don’t understand it, then unfortunately I can’t help you.’
DeVaux said she respects the tradition of the Triple Crown, but they don’t want to push Golden Tempo too hard. The Saratoga Springs, New York, native called the decision a difficult one.
“It’s hard, I understand where other people are coming from, but I think it’s unfair the way I’ve received some of the messages and what they’re saying, but regardless, they’re not in my position to train the horse, so their opinion doesn’t matter to me,” DeVaux said.
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Cherie DeVaux, trainer of Golden Tempo, celebrates with the trophy in the winner’s circle after the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
They took a few days to let everything settle down before making a decision about Golden Tempo’s participation in the second part of the Triple Crown. DeVaux said the horse is doing fine health-wise.
“We tried to let the dust settle all weekend, and Golden Tempo is fine. But we think it takes a unique horse to be able to come back and run in two weeks. And we just didn’t want him to be the responsible thing for his entire career, especially this year. We’re focused on a bigger picture than the Triple Crown,” DeVaux said.
“Even though the Kentucky Derby is the first part of the Triple Crown, I’m always biased where you can focus on the Triple Crown or you can focus on the year because it takes so much out of them. And we talked. We decided it was in his best interest to focus on the year, not just come back in two weeks and then come back in three weeks.”
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Cherie DeVaux celebrates after becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby during the 152nd running at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DeVaux said the goal is for Golden Tempo to run at the Belmont. She also noted that this year’s Triple Crown is different from years past.
“No, that’s definitely our next goal and we’re pointing toward it,” DeVaux said. “Saratoga is great. My family lives up there, but I was actually looking forward to running him a mile and a half, you know, it’s different circumstances.”
“We run the Preakness at Laurel. We run the Belmont at Saratoga at a different distance. So, you know, it’s not the true Triple Crown layout that’s been historic the last couple of years.”
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Trainer Cherie DeVaux kisses the trophy after Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP Photo)
The Preakness Stakes is traditionally held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, but is being held at Laurel Park due to renovations. The Belmont Stakes is normally held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, but is held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York due to renovations.
The Kentucky Derby was still held at Churchill Downs this year. DeVaux made history in Louisville, becoming the first female trainer to have a horse win the Kentucky Derby.
