The winner of the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty, won’t participate in the Preakness Stakes, according to an announcement made on Tuesday. This also means there won’t be a Triple Crown champion for the seventh consecutive year.
Mike Rogers, the executive VP of 1/ST Race, which oversees Preakness, shared, “I received a call from trainer Bill Mott today indicating that Sovereignty won’t compete in Preakness. We will expand our celebrations to honor Sovereignty’s connections and respect their choices.”
Mott mentioned to Preakness officials that he aims to have Sovereignty ready for the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, which is set for June 7 at the Saratoga race course in New York. He had indicated early Sunday morning that skipping Preakness was in the horse’s long-term best interest.
He commented for reporters in Louisville, Kentucky, saying, “We want to prioritize the horse’s well-being. Naturally, we’re always considering the Triple Crown; it’s not something we overlook.”
Sovereignty secured victory in a muddy Kentucky Derby with Jockey Junior Alvarado, triumphing over a 7-1 odd against notable competitors.
Michael Banahan, the U.S. bloodstock director for owner Godolphin, shared Mott’s reasoning in a text message with the Associated Press, stating, “Both believe this is the right path for the horse moving forward.” Responses to messages left for Mott were not immediately received.
This situation marks the fifth instance since Justify won the Triple Crown in 2018. The winners of the following years faced their own challenges; Country House and Maximum Security were absent in 2019 for different reasons, while Medina Spirit was disqualified in 2021 due to drug test failures, and Longshot Rich Strike took a break in 2022, impacting the expected five-week schedule.
Mage finished third in the Preakness last year, while Mastic Dan was runner-up after his connections opted against racing as well. The tight two-week gap from the Kentucky Derby to Preakness has reignited discussions about the spacing of major races.
Prominent owner Mike Repole suggested on social media on Tuesday that the Belmont should be moved to follow the Kentucky Derby, four weeks later, allowing top horses more time between races. He criticized the current scheduling, stating, “Preakness, occurring just two weeks after the Derby, reflects a lack of foresight and leadership needed to advance the sport.” He added that he anticipates this year’s Derby top finishers will skip the Preakness and head straight for Belmont.
The decisions regarding the Derby favorites, including the second-place finisher and the third, for Preakness’s 150th run have yet to be finalized as adjustments are made to the Pimlico race course. Plans are underway for improvements at Pimlico, and Preakness in 2026 is slated to take place in Laurel Park, located between Baltimore and Washington.
