Golden Tempo will not run in the 151st [1] Preakness Stakes, according to an announcement made Wednesday, May 6 [4].
The decision eliminates the possibility of a Triple Crown sweep for the three-year-old colt, as the Preakness is the second leg of the prestigious series.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux said the horse needs additional time to recover after winning the 152nd [2] Kentucky Derby. The colt's absence from the upcoming race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland — known as the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" [1] — is based on the physical toll of the previous event.
"The horse just ran a very tough race and needs more time to recover," DeVaux said [1].
DeVaux said Golden Tempo won't run in the Preakness because the horse needs more time to recover after the Kentucky Derby [2]. The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 15, 2026 [5].
This decision follows a growing trend of Derby winners bypassing the second leg of the Triple Crown. Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in the past five years not to be entered in the Preakness [3].
The absence of the Derby champion changes the dynamics of the field for the 151st [1] edition of the race. While the Preakness remains a premier event in U.S. horse racing, the lack of a dominant champion often opens the field for contenders who did not place in the Derby.
“"The horse just ran a very tough race and needs more time to recover."”
The decision to skip the Preakness reflects a modern shift in equine management, where trainers prioritize the long-term health and recovery of a horse over the prestige of the Triple Crown. By opting out of the May 15 race, DeVaux avoids risking a premature burnout or injury for Golden Tempo, though it ensures the 2026 Triple Crown cannot be completed.
