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?
However, on Wednesday 6th May, connections made the decision that Golden Tempo WON’T run in the Preakness Stakes on May 16th – instead aiming their Churchill Downs winner at the Belmont Stakes in early June.
Golden Tempo To Miss Preakness Stakes, With Belmont Stakes The Next Target
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.
And that will be the case again in 2026, with Golden Tempo to miss the Preakness.
With his trainer Cherie DeVaux saying they wanted more time and a tilt at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday June 6th the more likely target.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run,” DeVaux said. “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. His health, happiness and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”
WATCH: Golden Tempo Winning The 2026 Kentucky Derby
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.
Golden Tempo Looking To Emulate Last Year’s Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty
By missing the Preakness Stakes, the 2026 Derby winner Golden Tempo will now also be looking to repeat what Sovereignty did last season.
The Bill Mott-trained 3yold also skipped the Preakness Stakes, before returning to win the Belmont Stakes the following month.
Sovereignty made history as the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, bypass the Preakness entirely for extra rest, and go on to win the Belmont Stakes
He then added the Jim Dandy Stakes and Travers Stakes.
WATCH: Sovereignty Winning The 2025 Belmont Stakes
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
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 now not confirmed for the 2026 Preakness Stakes, the bookies have 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.
Preakness Stakes Betting
- Crude Velocity 2/1
- 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
WATCH: Crude Velocity Winning The Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs
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.
