Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not be participating in the upcoming Preakness Stakes, marking the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion. Trainer Bill Mott made the decision to skip the Preakness in favor of entering Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course. Mott emphasized the importance of prioritizing the horse’s well-being and long-term interests.
Sovereignty secured victory in a muddy Derby by overtaking favorite Journalism. The decision to withdraw from the Preakness was a team choice, with owner Godolphin’s US director of bloodstock, Michael Banahan, expressing support for the direction chosen for the horse’s future.
This year’s Preakness will be notably absent of top contenders, as the second-place finisher Journalism and third-place Baeza are yet to confirm their participation. Calls for restructuring the Triple Crown order have emerged, with suggestions to move the Belmont to the second position to allow for better spacing between races and retain top contenders.
As the Preakness approaches, the absence of Sovereignty adds to the ongoing debate around the timing and structure of the Triple Crown races. The 2026 Preakness is set to take place at Laurel Park while Pimlico Race Course undergoes reconstruction, highlighting potential changes in the future landscape of these prestigious racing events.
