Derby Winner Golden Tempo Skips Preakness for Belmont

Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Laurel Park and target the Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced in a statement Tuesday.

The decision follows Golden Tempo's dramatic victory in the Derby at Churchill Downs, where the 23-1 long shot rallied from last in an 18-horse field to win by a neck over runner-up Renegade. Owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, the colt exceeded expectations in his trainer's biggest career win. "After much thoughtful discussion as a team, we have decided that Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes," the statement from Cherie DeVaux Racing read. "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."

DeVaux reported that Golden Tempo came out of the Derby in good order and jogged at Keeneland on Wednesday, appearing happy and moving well. The move aligns with a recent trend: This marks the third time in five years that the Derby winner has passed...