The 151st Preakness Stakes will proceed this Saturday without the one horse capable of chasing history. Golden Tempo, the longshot winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, will not compete in the second leg of the Triple Crown, effectively ending any possibility of a Triple Crown run in 2026.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced the decision to bypass the race at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, instead pointing the colt toward the Belmont Stakes on June 6. The move marks a growing trend in modern racing, as this is the second consecutive year the Kentucky Derby winner has opted out of the Preakness. Last year, Sovereignty skipped the second leg before claiming victory in the Belmont Stakes under trainer Bill Mott.
The decision leaves the racing world without a Triple Crown contender for the first time since Justify captured the elusive feat in 2018. With post time scheduled for approximately 6:50 p.m. ET on Saturday, the focus now shifts to a wide-open field and a race taking place in an unconventional setting.
A Strategic Pivot to Saratoga
For Ms. DeVaux, the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, the decision was rooted in the long-term welfare of the horse. She cited the grueling two-week turnaround between the Derby and the Preakness as a primary factor, prioritizing the colt’s health over the immediate prestige of the Triple Crown chase.
“We are incredibly excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse,” Ms. DeVaux said in announcing the decision.
The move also aligns with a homecoming of sorts. Ms. DeVaux is a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, where the Belmont Stakes is being held for the third and final time while the permanent Belmont Park facility undergoes extensive renovations.
A Race in Transition
The absence of the Derby winner coincides with a historic shift in venue for the Preakness itself. For the first time in the event’s history, the race is being held at Laurel Park. This temporary relocation comes as the traditional home of the race, Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, undergoes a complete reconstruction. Officials expect the race to return to a modernized Pimlico in 2027.
The lack of crossover from the Kentucky Derby is stark. Of the horses that competed at Churchill Downs on May 2, only one will appear at the starting gate on Saturday. Ocelli, who finished third in the Derby at 70-1 odds as a maiden, enters the Preakness as a significant threat at 6-1 from post No. 2.
Analyzing the 14-Horse Field
With Golden Tempo absent, the $2 million purse is now the primary prize for a competitive 14-horse field. The morning-line favorite is Iron Honor, listed at 9-2, though several other contenders are closely trailing in the odds.
| Horse | Morning-Line Odds | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Honor | 9-2 | Morning-line favorite |
| Taj Mahal | 5-1 | Undefeated Federico Tesio winner |
| Chip Honcho | 5-1 | Drawing post No. 6 |
| Incredibolt | 5-1 | Top contender |
| Ocelli | 6-1 | Only Kentucky Derby returnee |
Taj Mahal brings strong local appeal to the event. As the undefeated winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park, he secured an automatic bid to the Preakness. He is trained by the husband-and-wife team of Sheldon and Brittany Russell.
Attention will also be on Chip Honcho, who has drawn post No. 6. Historically, this has been the most successful starting position in Preakness history, producing 17 winners since the introduction of the starting gate in 1909. Adding to his prospects, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz has taken the mount for Saturday’s race.
However, recent trends suggest a preference for the inside. The last three Preakness winners have all started from gate No. 5 or lower, including last year’s winner, Journalism, who broke from gate No. 2.
The racing community now looks toward Saturday’s 6:50 p.m. ET post time to see which contender can navigate the unfamiliar shores of Laurel Park to claim the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Following the race, the focus will shift to the June 6 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, where Golden Tempo will make his first appearance since his Derby triumph.
Share your thoughts on the field and your predictions for Saturday’s race in the comments below.
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