Golden Tempo, who defeated race favorite Renegade to win the Kentucky Derby on May 2, helped trainer Cherie DeVaux make history as the first woman to train a Derby winner at Churchill Downs. Despite the landmark victory, the horse will not continue its pursuit of the Triple Crown this season.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux explained that Golden Tempo would only be entered into the Preakness if the horse was fully recovered, emphasizing that the animal’s long-term health remains the top priority over competition. On Wednesday, she confirmed the decision to skip the race.

“After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes,” DeVaux said. “We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run.

“The enthusiasm from racing fans, our owners, and our entire team has meant more to us than we can properly express. 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. We are looking forward to pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse. Thank you again to everyone who has supported and believed in this journey alongside us.”

The Triple Crown consists of three major Thoroughbred horse races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The current schedule was standardized in 1932, though the races themselves date back to the 1800s. Only 13 horses in history have won all three in the same year.

Traditionally, the Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May, followed by the Preakness Stakes on the third Saturday in May, with the Belmont Stakes held in early June. This tight schedule has long been debated, with critics arguing that the short recovery window makes a Triple Crown sweep increasingly difficult.

The last horse to achieve the feat was Justify in 2018.

Following Golden Tempo’s withdrawal, Chuck Todd reacted publicly and urged racing authorities to reconsider the current structure. Writing on X, he said:

“Sigh… Please, Triple Crown people, create a schedule that encourages participation in all three races.

“This stubbornness about the dates of these races is self-defeating. Most major sporting events have allowed their schedules to change to accommodate changes in the sport.”

With Golden Tempo out, the Preakness Stakes field is now considered wide open. Crude Velocity enters as the strong favorite at 4-1, while Iron Honor is viewed as the nearest challenger at 19-1. The remaining contenders are listed as long shots.

The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026, with an estimated post time of 6:50 p.m. ET.