Will Golden Tempo race in Preakness? Owner non-committal on status of second Triple Crown race originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Despite being a 36-1 underdog prior to the starting gates opening, Golden Tempo was victorious at the 152nd Kentucky Derby. It remains to be seen, however, if the horse will suit up for the Preakness Stakes later this month.
A win in the Preakness Stakes would mean Golden Tempo sits just one race away from the Triple Crown, which hasn’t been achieved since Justify in 2018. Whether he will get the chance was unclear immediately after he won at Churchill Downs.
Here’s what Golden Tempo’s owner, Daisy Phipps Pulito, said right after her horse won.
MORE: How much did winner Golden Tempo take away at this year’s Kentucky Derby?
Will Golden Tempo run the Preakness Stakes?
Phipps Pulito was non-committal on whether her horse would be present at the Preakness Stakes.
Golden Tempo to the Preakness Stakes??? pic.twitter.com/4yyTwHczzS
— Kenny Nero (@BoynvtureNero) May 2, 2026
“I don’t know yet,” said Phipps Pulito. “We’re going to have to see how he comes out of the race, talk to Cherie, and just discuss that.”
Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Soverignty, did not race at the Preakness Stakes. Bill Mott, the horse’s trainer, wanted his horse to focus on the Belmont Stakes that June. During the Belmont race, Sovereignty was victorious again, which caused some racing fans to ask whether or not the horse was capable of winning the first Triple Crown since Justify in 2018.
No Kentucky Derby-winning horse has also been victorious at the Preakness since Justify’s 2018 win en route to a Triple Crown. 2024’s champion Mystik Dan finished second, while 2023 champion Mage finished third. The past two Kentucky Derby winners to also win the Preakness, Justify and American Pharaoh, went on to finish the ultimate race at Belmont to claim a Triple Crown.
MORE: Which horses were the biggest underdogs to win the Kentucky Derby?
When is the Preakness Stakes?
This year’s Preakness Stakes will be on Saturday, May 16, according to the race’s website.
Each year, with the exception of the pandemic in 2020, the Preakness is always held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes three weeks later. That makes the Preakness the third Saturday in May each year.
Due to the quick turnaround, many trainers are hesitant to have their horses race in the second race of the Triple Crown. It can leave the horse at risk of a scratch if its health isn’t up to par. Right after Golden Tempo’s win, the horse appears to have a realistic chance to run.
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