NEW YORK: Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby, will not race in the Preakness Stakes, dashing hopes for a Triple Crown winner for the seventh year in a row.
Trainer Bill Mott confirmed that Sovereignty will instead aim for the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga, prioritizing the horse's long-term well-being.
Mott had hinted at the possibility of skipping the Preakness in favor of the Belmont, noting that the horse’s future is the primary concern.
Sovereignty triumphed in the muddy Kentucky Derby with jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, surpassing favorite Journalism down the stretch.
The decision marks the fifth time since Justify’s 2018 Triple Crown that there will be no contender for the title. In 2019, the Derby winner didn’t participate in the Preakness, and other years saw disqualifications or skipping the race.
Owner Michael Banahan, on behalf of Godolphin, described the decision as a team one in the best interest of the horse.
As discussions continue, debates have sparked regarding the two-week gap between the Derby and Preakness, with some calling for adjustments to the Triple Crown schedule.
