The horse racing world is still buzzing from Golden Tempo's historic Kentucky Derby victory, but fans hoping for a Triple Crown run will have to wait. Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced that the Derby champion will skip the Preakness Stakes, citing the horse's health and well-being.

Golden Tempo made headlines on the first Saturday in May when DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. But instead of pushing for a quick turnaround at Pimlico, the team is taking the long view. "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," DeVaux shared on social media. "His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority."

The decision points Golden Tempo toward the Belmont Stakes in June, but it also continues a troubling trend. Golden Tempo is now the fourth Kentucky Derby winner in five years to bypass the Preakness, joining Mandaloun (2021), Rich Strike (2022), and Sovereignty (2024). For many in the sport, this pattern is more than coincidence—it's a clear signal that the Triple Crown schedule needs a serious rethink.

The two-week gap between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness has long been a point of contention among trainers and analysts. After Sovereignty's victory last year, owner Michael Banahan voiced what many were thinking: "He ran really hard today. And especially when you get a closer from off the pace like that, they have to lay their body on the line a little bit. If he responds well, maybe we look at that, you know? But I don't want to jump in straightaway. Today was the goal."

Trainer Bill Mott echoed that sentiment after Sovereignty's Derby win, saying, "We want to do what's best for the horse. Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that's not something we're not going to think about." Sovereignty went on to win the Belmont Stakes after skipping the Preakness, proving that sometimes the best path to glory is the one that prioritizes the horse over the schedule.

For Golden Tempo and the DeVaux team, the choice is clear: rest now, race later. And for fans of the sport, it's another reminder that the Triple Crown's grueling pace may be due for an update—one that puts the athletes first.