Preakness 2026: Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo to skip race

There will be no Triple Crown winner this year.

Golden Tempo, the 3-year-old thoroughbred who won the Kentucky Derby with a brilliant come-from-behind effort, will not run at the Preakness on May 16.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux posted in a statement on social media that she believes the “best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort.”

DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the first leg of the Triple Crown. Like several trainers in recent years, including Bill Mott (Sovereignty) last year, she chose to prioritize the health of the horse on the tight turnaround.

This year’s Preakness will be held at Laurel Race Track in what is expected to be a one-year sidestep while Pimlico Race Track undergoes a $400 million renovation. Racing officials are hopeful to return to Baltimore in 2027.

Golden Tempo will forgo a Triple Crown chase and is scheduled to run at the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Sam Cohn at scohn@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/samdcohn.x.com.

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