Golden Tempo’s win at the 152nd Kentucky Derby has quickly shifted attention to the next step in the Triple Crown: the Preakness Stakes. The colt’s victory at Churchill Downs has raised a familiar question in horse racing — whether a Derby winner will attempt to sweep all three races.
The Preakness Stakes is scheduled for May 16, 2026, just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby. For the first time, the race will be held at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, as Pimlico Race Course undergoes a $400 million renovation.
Golden Tempo now sits at the center of the conversation, but his participation in the second leg of the Triple Crown has not yet been confirmed.
Golden Tempo Preakness Decision Still Pending After Derby Win
Trainer Cherie DeVaux said a decision on whether Golden Tempo will run in the Preakness has not been finalized.
“Obviously this race is in two weeks,” DeVaux said via Horse Racing Nation. “It’s a lot different than what he’s done. He’s a horse who has a lot of constitution to him. He can handle something like that. But if one day he just doesn’t look like he’s in tiptop shape, then we’ll pivot and come up with another plan.”
Golden Tempo will return to Keeneland following the Derby, where DeVaux and her team will evaluate his condition before making a final call.
“We’ll get him back there and assess how he’s doing,” she said. “As long as he’s in tiptop shape, we’ll talk about [the Preakness]. It is on the table. But it’s really up to him.”
DeVaux made history with the Derby victory, becoming the first female trainer to win the race. No female trainer has won the Preakness, adding another potential milestone if Golden Tempo competes and wins.
Triple Crown Drought Continues Since Justify in 2018
Golden Tempo’s Derby win has also revived discussion about the Triple Crown, which has not been completed since Justify in 2018.
In the years since, several Derby winners have opted not to run in the Preakness. Four of the last seven winners skipped the race entirely, reflecting a shift in how trainers manage their horses’ schedules.
Last year’s Derby winner, Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, did not run in the Preakness. The decision was made to focus on long-term goals, and the horse later won the Belmont Stakes and earned Horse of the Year honors.
The trend has led to ongoing debate within the sport about spacing between races and whether the current Triple Crown format should be adjusted.
Golden Tempo’s connections now face a similar decision as they weigh the short turnaround between races.
Other Preakness Contenders Include Taj Mahal, Crude Velocity
While Golden Tempo’s status remains uncertain, several other horses are under consideration for the Preakness.
Taj Mahal has already secured a spot after winning the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. The colt, trained by Brittany Russell, holds a perfect 3-for-3 record, all at Laurel.
The Hell We Did is another horse expected to draw interest after finishing second in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Trained by Todd Fincher, the colt has raced at four different tracks in four starts.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert could enter multiple horses, including Crude Velocity, who won the Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs, and Cherokee Nation.
Other possible entrants include Chip Honcho, trained by Steve Asmussen, along with Iron Honor and Ottinho from trainer Chad Brown’s stable.
Trainer Mark Casse is also considering Silent Tactic, who was scratched from the Kentucky Derby due to a minor foot issue.
“He’s actually great,” Casse said. “I want to see how he trains for a couple of days. If we’re happy with his foot, we’ll probably breeze him mid-week and then make a decision.”
How to Watch the Preakness 2026
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. The race covers 1 3/16 miles and serves as the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Fans can watch coverage on NBC and USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock. The field is expected to be finalized following post-position draws on May 11.
Preakness 2026 Date Set as Golden Tempo Decision Looms After Derby