The Triple Crown's notoriously tight schedule is facing renewed scrutiny after Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo was pulled from the Preakness Stakes, dashing hopes of a historic run. Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday that the colt would bypass the second leg of the series, citing the need for more recovery time after his stunning Derby victory.
“After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes,” DeVaux said in a statement. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.” The horse will instead aim for the Belmont Stakes on June 6, leaving fans and insiders asking whether the current format is sustainable.
The Kentucky Derby was held on May 2, with the Preakness set for May 16—just two weeks later. The Belmont follows on June 6, creating a three-race whirlwind that has long been considered one of the toughest challenges in sports. But the decision marks the third time in five years that a Derby winner has skipped the Preakness, fueling arguments that the calendar is too compressed.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, a vocal horse racing enthusiast, didn't mince words. “Ah, too bad. Hopefully there is a schedule change, soon,” he wrote on social media. His sentiment echoes a growing chorus of trainers, owners, and fans who believe the current timeline prioritizes tradition over horse welfare.
Not everyone agrees, however. Some argue the grueling nature is precisely what makes the Triple Crown special. “The schedule being so grueling is what’s always made it special,” said Tzvi Machlin of The Spun. “In terms of toughness to achieve it’s the equivalent of an NFL team winning three games in one week – while most of the teams you’re playing are totally rested.”
This debate isn't happening in a vacuum. The horse racing world is watching closely as de vaux sets sights on triple crown with Golden Tempo, but the decision to skip the Preakness has reignited conversations about whether the current structure serves the sport's best interests. Meanwhile, other sports are grappling with their own scheduling controversies—ryan day fires back at college football playoff schedule, calling it unfair, and the nfl's mahomes health dilemma highlights how athlete well-being is becoming a central issue across leagues.
Golden Tempo's withdrawal is a significant blow to the Triple Crown narrative, but it also underscores a larger question: Should the sport adapt to modern realities, or preserve a tradition that has defined greatness for over a century? As the conversation intensifies, one thing is clear—the pressure for change is mounting.
