In a move that has sent ripples through the horse racing world, Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo will skip the 2026 Preakness Stakes, ending any hopes of a Triple Crown bid this season.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux made the announcement Wednesday, explaining that the decision prioritizes the colt's long-term health after his thrilling victory at Churchill Downs. "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."

Golden Tempo captured the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 by a narrow neck over challenger Renegade, with jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons. Instead of heading to Laurel Park for the Preakness on May 16, the talented colt will now set his sights on the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course.

This decision places Golden Tempo in notable company. He becomes the third Kentucky Derby winner in the last five years to bypass the Preakness, following Rich Strike in 2022 and Sovereignty in 2025. It's a stark contrast to the 21-year stretch from 1997 to 2018, when every Derby winner went on to compete in the second leg of the Triple Crown. That streak was broken in 2019 when Country House contracted a virus shortly after his Derby win and never raced again.

The news is also reigniting discussions about the demanding schedule of the Triple Crown series, which features just two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, followed by three weeks before the Belmont. According to Sports Business Journal, there have been reports that the Preakness could see a date change on the racing calendar starting in 2027, a potential shift that many in the sport have called for to give horses more recovery time.

For now, Golden Tempo fans will have to wait a little longer to see their champion back on the track. With the Belmont Stakes on the horizon, all eyes will be on Saratoga to see if this Derby winner can add another classic victory to his resume.