Golden Tempo, the first Kentucky Derby winner to be trained by a woman, will not race at next weekend's Preakness Stakes. Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced the news on Wednesday, explaining that her barn has Golden Tempo focused on the Belmont Stakes, which will be run in her native Saratoga Springs, New York, for the third and final time this year.
'We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run,' DeVaux said in a statement. 'Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness and long-term future will always remain our top priority.'
Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, won the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, making history as the first horse trained by a woman to win the prestigious race. The decision to skip the Preakness allows the colt additional recovery time before targeting the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 8 at Saratoga Race Course.
