For the second straight year, the Kentucky Derby winner is passing on the Preakness Stakes, ending any hopes of a Triple Crown run. But instead of outrage, one of sports media's most vocal figures is actually cheering the move.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took to X on Thursday to defend Golden Tempo's trainer Cherie DeVaux's call to skip the second leg of the Triple Crown. And his reasoning might turn some heads.
“I used to get mad about Derby winners skipping Preakness. That it was bad for the sport. But the people who own the Preakness don’t give a flying [expletive] about horse racing so I’ve changed my tune. Owners and connections should do what’s best for the horse,” Portnoy wrote.
The comment sparked a wave of agreement from fans who have grown frustrated with the sport's direction. Many pointed to the grueling two-week turnaround between the Derby and Preakness as a major deterrent. “Racing horses multiple times in such a short timeframe is asking for injury or extreme fatigue,” one user noted.
Golden Tempo was a 23-1 longshot who surged past the field to edge out Renegade at Churchill Downs. While some believe the colt wouldn't fare well over the shorter Preakness distance, the bigger question is whether the Triple Crown's packed schedule is scaring off top contenders altogether. This marks the fifth time in eight years the Derby winner has skipped the Preakness, reigniting the debate over the Triple Crown's tight schedule.
Portnoy's stance reflects a growing sentiment that horse welfare should trump tradition. “It is all about the horse, not human ego, or at least it should be,” one fan wrote. “If the horse comes out of the Derby the right way then it is a green light, if not, skipping makes sense.”
Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who was seen affectionately petting Golden Tempo the day after his Derby win, has yet to announce the colt's next race. But with Portnoy and a chorus of fans backing her decision, the pressure to chase history may be easing. For now, the focus remains on what's best for the horse, not the sport's storied past.
The debate over Triple Crown participation is far from over, but Portnoy's unexpected take has added a new layer to the conversation. Whether it changes the way owners approach the Preakness remains to be seen.
