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There will be no Triple Crown opportunity for Golden Tempo, the long-shot horse who won the Kentucky Derby last week.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday that the owners and she decided it was best for the horse to skip the Preakness Stakes, the next leg of the Triple Crown, aiming for the Belmont Stakes on June 6 instead.
“We are incredibly excited about the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run,” DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Derby-winning horse, wrote in a statement. “Golden gave us the run 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.”
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Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, wins the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 2, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
It is not uncommon for the Kentucky Derby winner to forgo the Preakness, which is set 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 the extra rest with the Belmont in the eyes of trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin Racing instead.
KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER SOVEREGNTY SKIPPS PREAKNESS, TRAINER SAYS, ‘WHAT’S BEST FOR THE HORSE’
One of the main reasons behind that is the short schedule between the Derby and the Preakness, as both trainers and owners don’t want to stress their prized horse with the two-week turnaround. Although much debated, this has not changed as racing teams continue to train their horses rather than compete.
The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018, with American Pharoah preceding him in 2015.
Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates in the winner’s circle after winning the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., 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 have made their intentions known.
Golden Tempo has been making quite the story since the 23-1 longshot rallied down the final stretch of the 1 1/4-mile race for the win.
The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt sent DeVaux and the rest of the owner’s box into a raucous affair, one can certainly understand.
Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to victory in the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 2, 2026. (Abbie Parr/AP)
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“I don’t even have words right now,” an emotional DeVaux said on the NBC broadcast after upsetting the race to beat early favorite Renegade.
Jockey Jose Ortiz won the Derby for the first time in his career. It was his 11th attempt and he beat his brother Irad, who was riding the Todd Pletcher-trained colt.
