Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo to miss Preakness

The field races past the twin spires at Churchill Downs for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. May 2, 2026 | Michael Clevenger and O'Neil Arnold/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When Golden Tempo took the victory at the Kentucky Derby, the win made history as Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the storied race.

But that history will not extend to the Preakness.

Citing Golden Tempo’s “health,” DeVaux announced on social media that the team will “bypass” the Preakness Stakes. “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,” wrote DeVaux on social media. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”

DeVaux indicated that the team is “pointing” Golden Tempo toward the Belmont Stakes.

You can see the entire message here:

The decision continues a recent trend of Kentucky Derby winners skipping the Preakness. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winning horse to skip the Preakness joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022) and Sovereignty last year.

And the decision is the latest bit of evidence that the schedule needs to be changed.

For years, trainers and analysts alike have argued that the two-week turnaround between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was simply too short for the horses. After Sovereignty’s win a year ago Michael Banahan, a member of the ownership team, said this: