Kentucky Derby Winner Skips 2026 Preakness

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will run without Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, ending any chance of a Triple Crown bid this year. According to the Washington Times report, trainer Cherie DeVaux is sending the colt to the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course instead of the second leg of the Triple Crown at Laurel Park.

Why Golden Tempo Is Skipping the Race

The decision keeps Golden Tempo out of the 151st Preakness and continues a recent pattern in which Derby winners do not return on the two-week turnaround. The Washington Times reported that this move ends a possible Triple Crown run in 2026, while USA Today reported that it is the second straight year and the third time in five years that a healthy Derby winner has skipped the Preakness.

What the Reporting Says

USA Today said DeVaux made the call soon after Golden Tempo's last-to-first Kentucky Derby victory on May 2, with the stable choosing to give the horse more recovery time before the Belmont. The Washington Times also noted that DeVaux cited the colt's long-term health and the demanding schedule between the Derby and Preakness as key factors in the decision.

What Comes Next

Golden Tempo is now being pointed toward the Belmont Stakes, which will again be held at Saratoga while Belmont Park renovations continue. That means the Preakness will go forward without the Derby winner, and the Triple Crown will remain unclaimed for another season.