Golden Tempo, the winner of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, will not compete in the Preakness Stakes, according to an announcement from the horse's connections on Wednesday. The decision ends any hopes of a Triple Crown bid for the colt, who captured the Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with jockey Jose L. Ortiz aboard.
Reasons for Withdrawal
Trainer Michael McCarthy cited the horse's well-being as the primary factor in the decision. "Golden Tempo came out of the Derby in excellent shape, but we feel it is in his best interest to skip the Preakness and focus on future engagements," McCarthy said in a statement. The colt will instead be pointed toward the Belmont Stakes in June, though that remains unconfirmed.
Impact on Triple Crown Picture
Golden Tempo's absence opens the door for other contenders in the Preakness, scheduled for May 16 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Among the potential starters are Derby runner-up Midnight Thunder and third-place finisher Star Runner, both of whom are expected to challenge for the second leg of the Triple Crown. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify in 2018.
Golden Tempo's victory in the Derby was a thrilling performance, as he held off a late charge from Midnight Thunder to win by three-quarters of a length. The win marked Ortiz's first Derby victory and McCarthy's second as a trainer. The colt, owned by WinStar Farm, has now won four of his six career starts and earned over $2.5 million.
Looking Ahead
While Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness, his connections have not ruled out a start in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. "We will evaluate his training over the next few weeks and make a decision closer to the race," McCarthy added. The Belmont Stakes, run at 1 1/2 miles, is the longest and most demanding of the Triple Crown races.
The Preakness Stakes will be run without the Derby winner for the first time since 2019, when Country House also skipped the race. That year, War of Will won the Preakness before going on to finish third in the Belmont.
