LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not run in the Preakness Stakes, ending any possibility of a Triple Crown bid and continuing a recent trend of Derby winners bypassing the second leg of racing’s most famous series.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced the decision Wednesday in a public statement, saying the colt would instead be pointed toward the Belmont Stakes.

"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," the statement read. "His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority."

The decision comes just days after DeVaux emphasized repeatedly that Golden Tempo’s condition — not outside pressure or Triple Crown hype — would determine the horse’s next move.

"We're going to look and see how much energy he has when he's on track, see how he's moving, see his attitude," DeVaux said Tuesday at Keeneland.

That cautious approach ultimately won out.

Golden Tempo now joins recent Derby winners Sovereignty and Rich Strike (2022) among horses who skipped the Preakness, run two weeks after the Derby in Maryland. The modern Triple Crown schedule has increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years, as trainers often prefer longer recovery periods between races.

The announcement ends what had become one of the sport’s biggest storylines in the days following Golden Tempo’s dramatic Derby victory Saturday at Churchill Downs.

DeVaux, the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, had spent the past several days balancing a national media whirlwind with the daily routines of caring for the colt.

NBC flew her to New York for appearances on the Today show. She also appeared on Barstool Sports programming with Dave Portnoy before returning late Monday night to Kentucky.

Yet even amid the attention, DeVaux made clear that the horse’s routine would remain unchanged.

"Being a horse trainer is my first obligation," she said Tuesday. "That's my life's passion and my life's work. Everything else is secondary."

Golden Tempo appeared healthy and energetic when brought out for reporters Tuesday morning at Keeneland. Groom Jose Hernandez led the colt outside the barn as the Derby winner calmly posed for photos and grabbed at his lead shank with his mouth.

DeVaux said then that the horse would continue on a normal post-race schedule, including jogging and later galloping, while the team evaluated how he responded physically and mentally.

"We had a plan with Golden Tempo," she said. "You've just got to trust in the process and always put the horse first."

That philosophy ultimately guided the decision.

Instead of Baltimore, Golden Tempo now will target the Belmont Stakes, giving him additional recovery time after what DeVaux’s statement called "such a tremendous effort" in the Derby.

The move also shifts attention away from a Triple Crown chase and toward the longer-term future of a colt who has rapidly become one of racing’s biggest stars.

"We are looking forward to pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes and are excited for what lies ahead with this very special horse," the statement said.

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