For the second consecutive year, the Kentucky Derby winner will bypass the Preakness Stakes, opting instead for a longer rest before the Belmont Stakes. Golden Tempo, who captured the Run for the Roses in thrilling fashion, will skip the second leg of the Triple Crown, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday.

"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. We are looking forward to pointing him to the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead for this very special horse."

This decision gives rivals in the Preakness field plenty of time to adjust their strategies. Last year's Derby winner, Sovereignty, also passed on the Preakness and went on to win the Belmont, the Grade I Jim Dandy, the Grade 1 Travers, and ultimately Horse of the Year honors—a path Golden Tempo's team clearly hopes to emulate.

The Triple Crown itself is undergoing significant changes. This year's Preakness will be run May 16 at Laurel Racecourse, while its traditional home, Pimlico, undergoes a major rebuild in Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Belmont Stakes is in its final year of a temporary stay at Saratoga, as Belmont Park on Long Island is reinvented and rebuilt—a shift that has already shortened the race from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/4 miles.

Adding to the shakeup, Churchill Downs Inc. has acquired the intellectual property rights to the Preakness, giving the company a major voice in the future of the series. There has been growing industry pressure for years to spread out the three races, which currently take place within a compressed five-week window.

For Golden Tempo, the five-week break before the Belmont should provide ample time to recover and prepare for what could be a historic run. Fans of the sport—and fans of stylish equestrian gear—will be watching closely to see if this talented colt can follow in Sovereignty's hoofprints.