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Horse racing enthusiasts will not witness a Triple Crown winner this year, as Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty will skip the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Bill Mott announced on Tuesday (May 6) that Sovereignty will not compete in the Preakness, ending hopes for a Triple Crown bid. Instead, Sovereignty is set to race in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, known as "The Spa," in Saratoga Springs.
The decision to bypass the Preakness was made with Sovereignty's long-term interests in mind. Mott emphasized the importance of doing what's best for the horse, noting the demanding nature of the racing schedule. Sovereignty, owned by Godolphin, has already competed in three challenging races this season, including the Fountain of Youth and the Florida Derby, before winning the Kentucky Derby on a muddy track.
This marks the fourth time in the past seven Triple Crown seasons that a Derby winner has opted out of the Preakness. The two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness has been a point of contention, with some in the industry calling for a reevaluation of the race calendar to better accommodate modern racing practices. Prominent owner Mike Repole has proposed rearranging the order of the Triple Crown races to allow more recovery time for the horses.
The absence of Sovereignty from the Preakness continues a recent trend of Derby winners skipping the race. The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify in 2018. With Sovereignty focusing on the Belmont Stakes, the spotlight will now shift to other contenders as they prepare for the Preakness on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.