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There will be no chance of a Triple Crown for Golden Tempo, the longshot horse who won the Kentucky Derby last week.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday that she and the owners decided it was best for the horse to skip the Preakness Stakes, the next leg of the Triple Crown, with the Belmont Stakes on June 6 as their sights set.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the enthusiasm and support surrounding the possibility of a run at the Triple Crown,” DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Derby-winning horse, wrote in a statement. “Golden gave us the ride of his life in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving 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, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
It is not uncommon for the winner of the Kentucky Derby to forfeit the Preakness, scheduled 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 extra rest with Belmont in the sights of trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin Racing.
KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER SKIP PREAKNESS SOVEREIGNTY, TRAINER SAYS: “WHAT IS BEST FOR THE HORSE”
One of the main reasons for this is the short schedule between the Derby and Preakness, as trainers and owners don’t want to push their prized horse with the two-week turnaround time. Although this has been the subject of much debate, this has not changed as racing teams continue to train their horses instead of competing.
The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018, with American Pharoah before 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, Kentucky on May 2, 2026. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
It’s also worth noting that none of the 18 horses that competed 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 made its intentions known.
Golden Tempo has created quite a story since the 23-1 rallied down the final stretch of the 1 1/4-mile race to victory.
The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt sent DeVaux and the rest of the owner’s box into a rowdy affair, as one can surely understand.
Jockey Jose L. Ortiz celebrates after winning Golden Tempo in the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky 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 defeat top seed 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.
