For the third time in five years, the Kentucky Derby winner will not run in the Preakness Stakes. And that has NBC's Chuck Todd — and a growing number of racing insiders — demanding the sport finally fix its broken Triple Crown schedule.
On Wednesday, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced that Golden Tempo, fresh off a thrilling victory at Churchill Downs, will bypass the second leg of the Triple Crown. The decision, she said, was all about the horse's long-term well-being.
“After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes,” DeVaux said in a statement. “We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run. … 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.”
Instead, Golden Tempo will target the Belmont Stakes, the third and longest leg of the series. The move is hardly unprecedented — and that's exactly the problem, according to Todd.
‘Please … create a schedule that encourages participation’
Todd, the longtime political anchor and a passionate racing fan, didn't mince words in his response to the news.
“Sigh… Please, Triple Crown people, create a schedule that encourages participation in all three races,” Todd wrote on social media. “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.”
He's not alone. The tight Triple Crown schedule has come under fire repeatedly as more trainers prioritize horse health over the historic chase. The two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness is often cited as too short for horses to fully recover from the grueling Run for the Roses.
DeVaux acknowledged the fans' disappointment but thanked them for their support, saying the team is “looking forward to pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse.”
A pattern that can't be ignored
Golden Tempo's decision continues an alarming trend. Three of the last five Kentucky Derby champions have opted out of the Preakness, choosing instead to rest and aim for the Belmont. That pattern has fueled calls for a more spaced-out schedule — something other major sports have embraced.
For instance, college football's playoff schedule has drawn criticism for its own timing issues, but at least the sport has shown a willingness to adapt. Horse racing, by contrast, has largely stuck to its traditional calendar, even as the sport's economics and veterinary science have evolved.
Todd's frustration reflects a broader sentiment: if the Triple Crown wants to remain a relevant, must-watch series, it needs to make it feasible — and desirable — for the Derby winner to actually run in all three races.
Otherwise, the crown itself starts to lose its luster.
