Triple Crown Debate Sparked By Kentucky Derby Champ Golden Tempo Skipping Preakness

BusinessSportsMoneyTriple Crown Debate Sparked By Kentucky Derby Champ Golden Tempo Skipping PreaknessByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow AuthorMay 08, 2026, 10:05am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryThe 2026 Kentucky Derby winner, Golden Tempo, is skipping the Preakness Stakes, continuing a recent trend of Derby champions foregoing the Triple Crown's second leg. This decision reignites debate over the Triple Crown's demanding schedule, particularly the two-week gap between races. While some argue modern thoroughbreds are less durable and advocate for more time between events, others contend that altering the format would diminish the achievement's historical difficulty. Trainers like Bob Baffert, who recently guided two horses to Triple Crown glory, maintain that the current challenge defines true greatness, emphasizing that connections prioritize their horses' health when making such critical decisions.Show More Golden Tempo used a miraculous run to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby but will bypass the Preakness StakesCoady PhotographyThe 2026 Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo has decided to skip the Preakness Stakes and forego a chance at the sport’s most coveted achievement, winning the Triple Crown. In the past five years, three horses (2022 Rich Strike, 2025 Sovereignty, 2026 Golden Tempo) have decided the middle jewel is not the place to run back just two weeks after winning the world’s most famous race. Reasons for not participating in the Preakness may vary from horse to horse, but the bottom line is competitive participation and an absent Kentucky Derby winner in the second leg with this frequency sparks debate. Is it time to change the current Triple Crown format?Is The Triple Crown Still Worth It For Kentucky Der...