Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Skips Preakness Stakes, Ending Triple Crown Hopes

Introduction

Golden Tempo, the winner of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, will not compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes. As a result, it is no longer possible for the horse to win the Triple Crown in the 2026 season.

Main Body

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby, announced on May 6, 2026, that the team decided together to skip the Preakness Stakes. She emphasized that the horse's long-term health and recovery are the top priorities after the effort required to win the Derby. Consequently, the team is now focusing on the Belmont Stakes, which will take place on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course. This decision follows a growing trend in modern horse racing, where the two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness is often seen as too short for recovery. Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in five years to miss the second race of the Triple Crown. Furthermore, none of the 18 horses from the 152nd Kentucky Derby are expected to run in the Preakness. Because of this, Maryland racing officials are considering moving the Preakness to the fourth Saturday in May to give horses more time to recover. There are also several logistical changes this season. The Preakness Stakes is being held at Laurel Park because Pimlico Race Course is being rebuilt. Additionally, Churchill Downs Inc. has purchased the intellectual rights to the Preakness Stakes. Meanwhile, the Belmont Stakes is being hosted at Saratoga for the third and final time while the main Belmont Park facility is renovated.

Conclusion

Golden Tempo will miss the Preakness Stakes on May 16 and is currently training for the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Learning

⚡ The 'Logic Link' Upgrade

At the A2 level, you probably use and, but, and because for everything. To reach B2, you need to stop using 'baby' connectors and start using Logical Transition Words. These words act like road signs, telling the reader exactly where the story is going.

🔍 The Discovery

Look at how this text connects ideas. Instead of saying "And this happened," it uses:

  • Consequently \rightarrow (A2: So)
  • Furthermore \rightarrow (A2: And also)
  • Meanwhile \rightarrow (A2: At the same time)

🛠️ How to use them (The B2 Shift)

If you want to say...A2 Style (Basic)B2 Style (Professional)
A resultThe horse is tired, so it will skip the race.The horse is tired; consequently, it will skip the race.
Extra infoHe is fast and he is strong.He is fast; furthermore, he is strong.
Parallel eventsI am studying and my friend is sleeping.I am studying; meanwhile, my friend is sleeping.

💡 Pro Tip: The Punctuation Secret

Notice that these words are often followed by a comma.

Wrong: Consequently the horse is resting. ❌ Right: Consequently, the horse is resting. ✅

Challenge: Next time you write a sentence with "so," erase it and try using "consequently." Your English will instantly sound more sophisticated.

Vocabulary Learning

winner (n.)
A person or thing that wins a competition or contest.
Example:Golden Tempo was the winner of the 152nd Kentucky Derby.
compete (v.)
To participate in a contest or race against others.
Example:The horse will not compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes.
possible (adj.)
Capable of happening or being achieved.
Example:It is no longer possible for the horse to win the Triple Crown.
horse (n.)
A large domesticated mammal used for riding or racing.
Example:Golden Tempo is a thoroughbred horse.
win (v.)
To achieve victory in a contest or competition.
Example:The horse will try to win the Belmont Stakes.
season (n.)
A period of the year with particular weather or events.
Example:The 2026 season includes several major horse races.
trainer (n.)
A person who trains and prepares an athlete or animal for competition.
Example:Trainer Cherie DeVaux announced the decision to skip the Preakness.
first (adj.)
The earliest in time or order; preceding all others.
Example:She is the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby.
woman (n.)
An adult female human.
Example:Cherie DeVaux is a woman who has achieved a historic win.
announced (v.)
To make a public statement about something.
Example:She announced that the team would skip the Preakness Stakes.
team (n.)
A group of people working together toward a common goal.
Example:The team decided together to skip the Preakness.
decided (v.)
To make a choice or reach a conclusion after consideration.
Example:The team decided to focus on the Belmont Stakes instead.
skip (v.)
To omit or leave out something.
Example:They chose to skip the Preakness Stakes.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something.
Example:She emphasized the horse's long-term health as the top priority.
long-term (adj.)
Extending over a long period of time.
Example:Long-term recovery is essential for the horse's future races.
health (n.)
The state of being free from illness or injury.
Example:The horse’s health was a major concern for the trainers.
recovery (n.)
The process of getting better after an illness or injury.
Example:Recovery from the Derby’s effort is crucial before the next race.
top (adj.)
Of the highest rank or quality.
Example:The top priorities for the team were the horse’s health and recovery.
priorities (n.)
Things that are considered most important.
Example:Health and recovery were the team’s priorities after the Derby.
effort (n.)
Physical or mental energy used to achieve something.
Example:The effort required to win the Derby was immense.
required (adj.)
Necessary or needed for a particular purpose.
Example:The effort required for the Derby was demanding.
focus (v.)
To concentrate attention or effort on something.
Example:The team is now focusing on the Belmont Stakes.
place (n.)
A particular location or venue.
Example:The Belmont Stakes will take place at Saratoga Race Course.
growing (adj.)
Increasing in size, number, or importance.
Example:There is a growing trend in modern horse racing.
trend (n.)
A general direction in which something is developing.
Example:The trend of skipping the Preakness is becoming more common.
modern (adj.)
Relating to the present or recent times.
Example:Modern racing often emphasizes athlete health.
racing (n.)
The sport of racing animals or vehicles.
Example:Horse racing attracts large crowds each year.
gap (n.)
A space or interval between two points.
Example:The two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness is often too short.
often (adv.)
Frequently; many times.
Example:The gap is often considered insufficient for recovery.
short (adj.)
Not long in duration or extent.
Example:The short interval leaves little time for rest.
third (adj.)
Coming after the second in order.
Example:Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in five years to miss the Preakness.
years (n.)
Units of time equal to 365 days (or 366 in a leap year).
Example:The trend has been observed over the past five years.
miss (v.)
To fail to attend or participate in an event.
Example:Golden Tempo will miss the Preakness Stakes.
second (adj.)
Coming after the first in order.
Example:The second race of the Triple Crown is the Preakness.
race (n.)
A competition to determine speed or endurance.
Example:The horse will compete in the Belmont race next month.
officials (n.)
People who hold a position of authority or responsibility.
Example:Maryland racing officials are considering moving the Preakness.
considering (v.)
Thinking about or taking into account.
Example:Officials are considering moving the race to a later date.
moving (v.)
Changing the position or timing of something.
Example:They are moving the Preakness to the fourth Saturday in May.
Saturday (n.)
The day of the week between Friday and Sunday.
Example:The Preakness will now be held on the fourth Saturday in May.
give (v.)
To provide or afford something.
Example:The new schedule will give horses more time to recover.
more (adj.)
Additional or greater in amount or degree.
Example:Horses need more time between races for proper recovery.
time (n.)
A period during which an action occurs or is measured.
Example:They are allocating more time for the horses to rest.
recover (v.)
To return to a normal state after a setback.
Example:The horse will recover during the break before the Belmont.
logistical (adj.)
Relating to the organization and coordination of large operations.
Example:The logistical changes this season include moving the race venue.
being (v.)
The act of existing or occurring.
Example:The Preakness is being held at Laurel Park this year.
rebuilt (v.)
Constructed again after being damaged or demolished.
Example:Pimlico Race Course is being rebuilt for the upcoming season.
purchased (v.)
Acquired by buying.
Example:Churchill Downs Inc. purchased the intellectual rights to the Preakness.
intellectual (adj.)
Relating to the mind or intellectual property.
Example:They secured the intellectual rights to the race.
rights (n.)
Legal entitlements or claims to something.
Example:The rights to the Preakness were transferred to a new owner.
meanwhile (adv.)
At the same time; concurrently.
Example:Meanwhile, the Belmont Stakes will be hosted at Saratoga.
hosted (v.)
To provide a venue or location for an event.
Example:The Belmont Stakes is being hosted at Saratoga this year.
final (adj.)
Last or concluding in a series.
Example:This is the final time the Belmont will be held at Saratoga.
main (adj.)
Principal or most important.
Example:The main Belmont Park facility is undergoing renovation.
facility (n.)
A building or place designed for a particular purpose.
Example:The facility at Belmont Park is being renovated.
renovated (v.)
Restored or improved to a better condition.
Example:The facility has been renovated to accommodate more visitors.
currently (adv.)
At the present time.
Example:The horse is currently training for the Belmont Stakes.
training (n.)
The process of preparing for a race through practice and conditioning.
Example:Training for the Belmont begins next week.