There will be no Triple Crown winner in horse racing this year, and the reason why is likely to increase calls for the sport to change the long-held calendar for its signature events.
The team for Golden Tempo announced less than a week after the horse won the Kentucky Derby in a stunning upset that it will not race at the 2026 Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16 in Laurel, Maryland. Trainer Cherie Devaux said Golden Tempo will instead prepare for the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
“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,” Cherie DeVaux Racing said in a statement. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”
OPINION: It’s time for the Triple Crown to adapt and make big changes to a brutal schedule
Derby Day has arrived, and “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
Horses break from the starting gate in the first race of the day during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday, May 1, 2026.
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.1 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Derby Day has arrived, and “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
1 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Derby Day has arrived, and “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” will be here and gone before you know it. See the best moments from the race.
Aboard T O Elvis, jockey Ryusei Sakai celebrates winning The Churchill Downs Grade I stakes at 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 2, 2026.
2 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses break from the starting gate in the first race of the day during the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
3 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jacob Skillman from Louisville yells in excitement while attending Thurby at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
4 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Haywire, ridden by Luan Machado, Sister Jean, ridden by Jaime A Torres, and Butterfly Jasmine, ridden by Brian J Hernandez take off out of the gate for the first race of the 2026 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs during the week of Kentucky Derby on Friday, May 1, 2026.
5 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses take off from the starting gate for the first race ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
6 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Lynn and Spencer Webster from Charlotte watch the first race on the card ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
7 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer in the infield as Time to Strike, ridden by John Velazquez, and Powershift, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., head down the back stretch at the 152nd Kentucky Derby in Louisville on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
8 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Kelly Green of Louisville had a unique fascinator made by Hat Haven that surrounded her face while she attended the 2026 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
9 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Antonio Grassa laughs with his friends ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
10 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Brecken Erickson and Maci Cox embrace after Erickson proposes in the infield during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
11 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
A DJ spins tunes to the infield crowd during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2026.
12 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
People cheer during the 91st running of The Churchill Downs on 2026 Kentucky Derby day at Churchill Downs. May 2, 2026.
13 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Jockey Flavien Prat aboard, Stark Contrast celebrate after winning the 35th running of The American Turf at the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. on May 2, 2026.
14 / 14
Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby 2026 — See the best photos from Churchill Downs
Horses cross the finish line ahead of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The Preakness Stakes are considered the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, which concludes annually at Belmont Park. There has been speculation in recent months that the schedule could be altered to allow more time between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. There are currently two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and three weeks between the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo becomes the third Kentucky Derby winner in five years to choose not to run in the Preakness, and it’s the second year in a row after Sovereignty didn’t race at Pimlico Race Course in 2025.
“The Triple Crown is hard to win for a reason,” DeVaux said on Sunday when asked about the debate concerning horse racing’s calendar, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. “I appreciate the history of it. Horses are definitely different. They’re not built the same. They’re not trained the same as back then. But current times have shown that it can be done with the right horse.”
Churchill Downs Inc., the parent company that owns the Kentucky Derby, recently reached an agreement to acquire the intellectual rights to the Preakness Stakes with media rights negotiations looming following this month’s race. The Preakness Stakes are being held at Laurel Park this year due to renovations at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
How many horses have won the Triple Crown?
Since the Kentucky Derby was established in 1875, a total of 13 horses have won what’s officially called the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. They are:
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Sir Barton (1919)
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Gallant Fox (1930)
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Omaha (1935)
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War Admiral (1937)
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Whirlaway (1941)
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Count Fleet (1943)
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Assault (1946)
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Citation (1948)
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Secretariat (1973)
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Seattle Slew (1977)
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Affirmed (1978)
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American Pharoah (2015)
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Justify (2018)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky Derby’s Golden Tempo won’t race for Triple Crown at Preakness
