Golden Tempo’s electrifying last-to-first surge in the 152nd Kentucky Derby has people asking the obvious next question: will history-making trainer Cherie DeVaux send the three-year-old colt to Maryland for the 151st Preakness Stakes?
Golden Tempo Not Certain To Run In Preakness Stakes
Lately, it hasn’t been a given that the Kentucky Derby winner will rock-up to the Preakness – the second leg of the US Triple Crown.
As three of the past five Derby winners have skipped the Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, with some trainers pointing to that tight two-week turnaround as simply too much.
Still, with a Triple Crown bid hanging in the balance, all eyes are on trainer DeVaux and her Churchill Downs hero.
Will Golden Tempo Run In the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
Fresh off becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, DeVaux hasn’t made a call yet.
Neither has Golden Tempo’s ownership group.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday outside her barn at Keeneland, she made it clear the decision will come down to the horse.
“We’ll see how much energy he has when he’s on the track, how he’s moving, what his attitude is,” DeVaux said.
She didn’t leave much room for outside noise, either.
“Other people’s opinions aren’t part of the conversation,” DeVaux added. “I understand the history with the Triple Crown. I get why people are excited. But the horse comes first.”
How Often Do Derby Winners Skip The Preakness?
It’s more common than you might think.
Since 1875 – when the Derby has been run before the Preakness and 54 winners of the Run for the Roses have not gone on to race in the Preakness.
The most recent example came in 2025, when Sovereignty didn’t show up at Pimlico, marking the fourth time in seven years a Derby winner passed on the race.
Mandaloun is another notable case-officially declared the 2021 Derby winner months after Medina Spirit’s disqualification, he didn’t run in that year’s Preakness either after finishing second on the day at Churchill Downs.
WATCH: Golden Tempo Winning The 2026 Kentucky Derby
When Was The Last Triple Crown Winner?
The most recent US Triple Crown sweep came in 2018, when Bob Baffert’s Justify captured all three legs.
Winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes.
US Triple Crown Winners (13)
- 1919: Sir Barton
- 1930: Gallant Fox
- 1935: Omaha
- 1937: War Admiral
- 1941: Whirlaway
- 1943: Count Fleet
- 1946: Assault
- 1948: Citation
- 1973: Secretariat
- 1977: Seattle Slew
- 1978: Affirmed
- 2015: American Pharoah
- 2018: Justify
The “Dual Classic” Winners: Derby and Preakness Heroes (but not the Belmont Stakes)
These 23 horses pulled off the Derby-Preakness double but did not win the Belmont Stakes (either due to injury, defeat, or not entering the final leg).
With the most recent California Chrome in 2024.
- 1932 – Burgoo King
- 1981 – Pleasant Colony
- 1936 – Bold Venture
- 1987 – Alysheba
- 1944 – Pensive
- 1989 – Sunday Silence
- 1958 – Tim Tam
- 1997 – Silver Charm
- 1961 – Carry Back
- 1998 – Real Quiet
- 1964 – Northern Dancer
- 1999 – Charismatic
- 1966 – Kauai King
- 2002 – War Emblem
- 1968 – Forward Pass
- 2003 – Funny Cide
- 1969 – Majestic Prince
- 2004 – Smarty Jones
- 1971 – Canonero II
- 2008 – Big Brown
- 1979 – Spectacular Bid
- 2012 – I’ll Have Another
- 2014 – California Chrome
Why Is The 2026 Preakness Stakes Being Held at Laurel Park, Maryland?
The home of the Preakness Stakes is Pimlico.
However, this year (2026), the second US Triple Crown race has a new home – LAUREL PARK, Maryland.
Why?
Pimlico is currently in the middle of a $400m renovation project – meaning the race needs a new base for 2026.
Laurel Park is around 28 miles away from Pimlico – approx 40-45 mins drive.
The Belmont Stakes, also has a temporary home at Saratoga – with their regular home (Belmont) also being improved.
When Is The Preakness Stakes (Start Time & Date)?
📅 Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026
⌚ Time: 12:01pm UK – 7:01pm ET
🏇 Racecourse: Laurel Park
🔄 Trip: 1m 1 1/2f
💷 Purse: $2m
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing / NBC / Peacock
Preakness Stakes Betting Odds and Favorite
With Golden Tempo not confirmed for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, the bookies has installed the Bob Baffert-trained Crude Velocity as the Preakness Stakes favorite.
This 3yold missed the Kentucky Derby, but still ran on the same card – when landing the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on 2nd May.
He’ll be looking to give Baffert a nineth success in the Preakness Stakes.
While Golden Tempo is 6/1 in the Preakness Stakes odds market – the same price as Silent Tactic and Taj Mahal.
Preakness Stakes Betting
- Crude Velocity 2/1
- Golden Tempo 6/1
- Silent Tactic 6/1
- Taj Mahal 6/1
- Iron Honor 12/1
- Ocelli 12/1
- Chip Honcho 14/1
- Cherokee Nation 14/1
- Napoleon Solo 16/1
- Corona De Oro 16/1
- 20/1 BAR
Note: Preakness Stakes betting odds are subject to change
Which Horse Won The Preakness Stakes Last Year (2025)?
Having finished second in the Kentucky Derby a few weeks earlier, the Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism won the 2025 Preakness Stakes (watch below).
The Curlin colt was then runner-up in the Belmont Stakes later that season, but got back to winning ways when winning the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in July.
