Golden Tempo Will Miss the Preakness—What It Means for the Triple Crown
No Triple Crown Winner for 2026 as Trainer Cherie DeVaux Withdraws Golden Tempo from Preakness Stakes
In a notable turn of events for the horse racing community, trainer Cherie DeVaux has confirmed that Golden Tempo, the horse that provided her with a historic victory in the Kentucky Derby, will not compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes. This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant moment in the sport, as the pursuit of this year’s Triple Crown comes to an end.
Golden Tempo captured attention and acclaim after winning the Kentucky Derby on May 2, making DeVaux the first female trainer to achieve this milestone. Shortly after returning to training at Keeneland, DeVaux communicated her decision via a statement on X, stating, "After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes."
In expressing gratitude for the support and enthusiasm surrounding a potential Triple Crown run, DeVaux emphasized the importance of Golden Tempo’s health and future. "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.”
The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 16, marking the second leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Belmont Stakes on June 6 in Saratoga, New York. Since 1978, only two horses—American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018—have completed the prestigious Triple Crown.
Golden Tempo is now the second consecutive horse, and the third in five years, to miss the Preakness. Sovereignty, last year’s Preakness non-participant, later won the Belmont Stakes and the Travers, and was named Horse of the Year.
Recent trends indicate a decrease in trainers willing to run horses with minimal rest between races, prompting discussions about potentially rescheduling the Preakness and Belmont Stakes to provide longer intervals. Reports from Sports Business Journal suggest that the Preakness may shift to a later date, though many trainers maintain that such adjustments may not impact participation.
DeVaux was asked whether having a four-week gap before the Preakness would have influenced her decision. "I mean, it would make anyone’s decision easier, but that’s not the Triple Crown," she replied. "So, the Triple Crown is hard to win for a reason. And I appreciate the history of it.”
Despite Golden Tempo’s withdrawal, there remains a strong field of contenders for the Preakness, which is limited to 14 starters. Among those likely to contest is Crude Velocity, the probable favorite who recently won the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs. Trainer Bob Baffert, known for his record eight Preakness victories, has yet to finalize his plans for Crude Velocity.
"I’m still on the fence," Baffert noted in a text message on Wednesday. "Tempted but I’m not leaning yet."
Following the Derby, trainer Whit Beckman announced that Ocelli, who finished third, is expected to enter the Preakness. Beckman remarked, “You wouldn’t know this horse ran Saturday. He’s made of something different.”
As preparations continue, many other horses remain in contention for the Preakness, including Chip Honcho, Corona de Oro, and several others. Jockey Jose Ortiz, who rode Golden Tempo to victory in the Derby, is slated to ride Chip Honcho in the upcoming race.
