Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty will skip the Preakness Stakes.

Sovereignty Skips Preakness to Focus on Belmont Stakes

For the seventh consecutive year, there will be no Triple Crown winner. Following a win at the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bill Mott announced that the horse Sovereignty will not participate in the upcoming Preakness Stakes, instead aiming for the Belmont Stakes.

Mike Rogers, executive VP of 1/ST Race, which organizes the Preakness, shared that he received the news from Mott. “We respect their decision and will celebrate Sovereignty and the connections involved,” he said.

Mott has expressed his focus on the Belmont Stakes, set for June 7 at Saratoga, emphasizing the need to prioritize the horse’s long-term health. He mentioned how critical it is to do what’s best for them, even while keeping an eye on the glory of the Triple Crown.

The timing of races has stirred discussions in the racing community. Traditionally, the Derby takes place in early May, followed by the Preakness two weeks later and then the Belmont three weeks after that.

In a recent social media post, prominent owner Mike Repole suggested a potential shift in the scheduling of the races, making the Belmont second in the order, four weeks after the Derby. This change could encourage more horses to participate.

It’s worth noting that Sovereignty’s situation mirrors past instances where Kentucky Derby winners, such as Justify, Rich Strike, and Country House, did not race in the Preakness for various reasons. The pandemic also caused scheduling changes that affected the Triple Crown structure.