Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty will not participate in the Preakness Stakes, according to officials, ending hopes of a seventh consecutive Triple Crown winner. Mike Rogers, executive VP of 1/ST Race which organizes the Preakness, shared that trainer Bill Mott informed them of this decision and they will honor Sovereignty’s connections and celebrate their accomplishments.
Mott revealed plans to focus on the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, scheduled for June 7 at Saratoga Race Course in New York. He emphasized prioritizing the horse’s long-term well-being, indicating this was a strategic move rather than solely focusing on the Triple Crown challenge. Sovereignty secured the Kentucky Derby victory on a muddy track with jockey Junior Alvarado.
This marks the fifth year since Justify’s Triple Crown sweep in 2018 that the pursuit has faced setbacks. Previous years saw disruptions such as key horses like Country House and Maximum Security missing the Preakness in 2019, the 2020 race amid the pandemic, Medina Spirit’s disqualification in 2021, and Longshot Rich Strike skipping 2022. Mage and Masticdan finished third and second respectively in recent years but also did not continue through all three races.
The tight two-week interval between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness has reignited debate about race scheduling. Prominent owner Mike Repole suggested moving the Belmont Stakes to the second position, four weeks post-Derby, to allow top horses more recovery time and ultimately keep them in competition longer. Repole criticized current scheduling, calling for better leadership to modernize the sport.
No decisions are yet made regarding the Preakness plans of the Derby’s second and third-place finishers.
Fan Take: This development is significant for horse racing fans as it highlights ongoing challenges in balancing tradition with horse welfare and competitive integrity. Adjustments in race scheduling could reshape the future of the Triple Crown, potentially preserving the sport’s prestige and maintaining fan excitement over the long term.
