For the second year in a row, the Kentucky Derby winner is passing on the Preakness Stakes—and it's raising big questions about the future of the Triple Crown.

On Wednesday, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced that her horse, Golden Tempo, will skip the second leg of the Triple Crown later this month. The decision follows the same path as Sovereignty, the 2025 Derby winner, who also opted out of the Preakness due to modern standards for rest and recovery in Thoroughbreds.

"After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes," DeVaux's team wrote in a statement. "We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run. The enthusiasm from racing fans, our owners, and our entire team has meant more to us than we can properly express. We are looking forward to pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse."

This marks the third time in the last five runnings of the Preakness that the Kentucky Derby winner has chosen not to compete. The traditional two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness is increasingly seen as too tight for modern racing standards, and the trend has sparked serious discussion about rescheduling the Triple Crown.

Reports from last month suggest the Preakness may move back by one week to give Derby horses—and their connections—more time to recover. That shift would likely push the Belmont Stakes back as well, keeping the traditional three-week gap between the second and third legs intact.

Only twice in the past 17 years have all three top Kentucky Derby finishers gone on to run in the Preakness two weeks later. The result has been a noticeable dip in viewership for NBC, the Preakness broadcast partner. Last year's race drew less attention than usual, and without the Derby winner in the field, that trend could continue.

For now, Golden Tempo will rest and prepare for the Belmont Stakes, where fans hope to see a fresh showdown. But the bigger picture is clear: the Triple Crown schedule may need a makeover to keep its biggest stars in the race.