Golden Tempo skips Preakness, reshaping Triple Crown strategy. The Kentucky Derby winner will rest five weeks before the Belmont Stakes, following last year's precedent set by Sovereignty. Trainer Cherie DeVaux cited the horse's health and long-term future as priorities after an exceptional Derby performance. This decision reflects broader industry shifts transforming horse racing's most prestigious series. The Preakness relocates to Laurel Racecourse while Pimlico undergoes reconstruction, and the Belmont temporarily moves to Saratoga with a shortened distance. Churchill Downs Inc. now controls the Preakness intellectual property, signaling major structural changes ahead. The spacing adjustment addresses longstanding calls to spread races beyond their traditional five-week window, potentially reshaping competition dynamics and training strategies across the sport.
