Sovereignty Skips Preakness After Derby Triumph, Targets Belmont Stakes

The dream of a Triple Crown winner is dashed for the seventh straight year as Sovereignty, the dazzling victor of the 151st Kentucky Derby, will bypass the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Bill Mott, a sage of the racetrack, announced the decision, prioritizing the colt’s long-term health over the grueling two-week turnaround to Pimlico.

"We’re focused on what’s best for the horse," Mott said at Churchill Downs, his words carrying the weight of experience after securing his second Derby win. Sovereignty, who blazed to victory in a swift 2:02.31, is now set to target the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga, the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

The choice reflects a growing debate in horse racing about the Triple Crown’s relentless schedule. With the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont crammed into five weeks, some, like prominent owner Mike Repole, argue for a reshuffle—perhaps moving the Belmont to second and spacing the races to keep top horses in the game.

This marks the third time since 2018 that a Derby champ has skipped Pimlico, following Rich Strike in 2022 and Mott’s own Country House in 2019. As the sport evolves, Mott’s call underscores a timeless truth: a horse’s heart may be willing, but its legs need a breather.