Winning Horse Golden Tempo Will Not Race in Preakness

May 6, 2026, 20:46
USSports
A2

Winning Horse Golden Tempo Will Not Race in Preakness

Introduction

Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby. Now, the horse will not race in the Preakness Stakes. This means the horse cannot win the Triple Crown this year.

Main Body

Trainer Cherie DeVaux says the horse needs to rest. The horse worked hard in the first race. Now, the horse needs to be healthy. The team wants to race in the Belmont Stakes on June 6. Many horses do not race in the Preakness now. Two weeks is not enough time to rest. Other winners did the same thing in the past. Now, officials want to change the date of the race to give horses more time. Some race tracks are closed for repairs. The Preakness race is at Laurel Park. The Belmont race is at Saratoga. Also, a new company now owns the Preakness race.

Conclusion

Golden Tempo will not race on May 16. The horse is getting ready for the race on June 6.

Learning

๐Ÿ•’ Talking about the Future

In this story, we see two ways to say what will happen later.

1. The Simple 'Will' Use will or will not for things that are decided or certain.

  • Golden Tempo will not race โ†’ It is a fact.
  • The horse will not win โ†’ It is a result.

2. The 'Getting Ready' Phase When something is happening now to prepare for the future, use is + -ing.

  • The horse is getting ready โ†’ This is happening today so the horse can race in June.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Words that connect ideas

Notice how the writer moves from one thought to another:

  • Now โ†’ Used to show a change in time or situation.
  • Also โ†’ Used to add one more piece of information.

Example: The horse needs to rest. Now, the horse needs to be healthy. The Belmont race is at Saratoga. Also, a new company owns the race.

Vocabulary Learning

horse (n.)
an animal that runs and can be ridden
Example:The horse ran across the field.
race (n.)
a competition where people or animals run to see who is fastest
Example:The race started at nine o'clock.
trainer (n.)
a person who teaches a horse or athlete how to perform
Example:The trainer taught the horse new tricks.
rest (v.)
to stop working and relax
Example:After the race, the horse needs to rest.
healthy (adj.)
in good physical condition
Example:The horse is healthy after the rest.
team (n.)
a group of people working together
Example:The team worked together to win.
track (n.)
a path or course for racing
Example:The track is long and straight.
win (v.)
to be the best in a competition
Example:The horse will win the next race.
crown (n.)
a symbol of victory or rule
Example:Winning the race gives the horse a crown.
change (v.)
to make something different
Example:They will change the date of the race.
date (n.)
a particular day
Example:The date of the race is June 6.
company (n.)
a business that sells goods or services
Example:The company owns the race track.
owner (n.)
a person who owns something
Example:The owner gave the horse a new stall.
ready (adj.)
prepared to do something
Example:The horse is ready for the race.
closed (adj.)
not open
Example:The track is closed for repairs.
B2

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

โšก 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.

๐Ÿ” The Discovery

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

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

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ 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.

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tip: The Punctuation Secret

Notice that these words are often followed by a comma.

Wrong: Consequently the horse is resting. โŒ Right: Consequently, the horse is resting. โœ…

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 horseโ€™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 Derbyโ€™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 horseโ€™s health and recovery.
priorities (n.)
Things that are considered most important.
Example:Health and recovery were the teamโ€™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.
C2

Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Forgoes Preakness Stakes, Precluding Triple Crown Possibility

Introduction

The 152nd Kentucky Derby champion, Golden Tempo, will not participate in the upcoming Preakness Stakes, thereby eliminating the possibility of a Triple Crown victory for the 2026 season.

Main Body

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, the first woman to secure a Kentucky Derby victory, announced on May 6, 2026, that the decision to bypass the Preakness Stakes was reached collectively by the horse's connections. The administration cited the necessity of prioritizing the equine athlete's long-term health and recovery following the exertion of the Derby. Consequently, the team has redirected its focus toward the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course. This decision reflects a broader trend in contemporary thoroughbred racing, where the traditional two-week interval between the Derby and the Preakness is increasingly viewed as insufficient for recovery. Golden Tempo is the third Derby winner in five years to omit the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the precedent set by Sovereignty in 2025. Notably, none of the 18 participants from the 152nd Kentucky Derby are slated to compete in the Preakness. Such patterns have intensified discourse regarding the viability of the current racing calendar, leading Maryland racing officials to consider a postponement of the Preakness to the fourth Saturday in May to facilitate greater participation. Institutional and logistical shifts further characterize the current season. The Preakness Stakes is being conducted at Laurel Park due to the ongoing reconstruction of Pimlico Race Course. Simultaneously, Churchill Downs Inc. has acquired the intellectual rights to the Preakness Stakes. The Belmont Stakes is also being hosted at Saratoga for the third and final time while the primary Belmont Park facility undergoes renovation.

Conclusion

Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes on May 16 and is currently being prepared for the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

Learning

โšก The C2 Pivot: Nominalization and Formal Density

To move from B2 (fluency) to C2 (mastery), a student must transition from describing actions to constructing concepts. The provided text is a goldmine for this, specifically through the lens of Nominalizationโ€”the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns to increase academic density and objectivity.

๐Ÿ” The Linguistic Shift

Observe the difference between a B2 approach and the C2 reality present in the text:

  • B2 Style (Action-oriented): The trainer decided to skip the race because she wanted the horse to recover.
  • C2 Style (Concept-oriented): "The decision to bypass the Preakness Stakes was reached collectively... citing the necessity of prioritizing the equine athlete's long-term health."

In the C2 version, the focus is no longer on the person doing the action, but on the abstract decision and the necessity. This removes subjective agency and creates an institutional tone.

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Deconstructing the "High-Density" Architecture

1. The 'Precluding' Logic

"...Forgoes Preakness Stakes, Precluding Triple Crown Possibility"

Instead of saying "which means they can't win the Triple Crown," the author uses a present participle (precluding) to link a cause and a result in a single, tight architectural unit. This is the hallmark of scholarly shorthand.

2. Lexical Precision & Collocation C2 mastery requires moving beyond generic verbs. Note these specific pairings:

  • Sovereigntyโ†’setย theย precedent\text{Sovereignty} \rightarrow \text{set the precedent} (Not 'started the trend')
  • Intellectualย rightsโ†’acquired\text{Intellectual rights} \rightarrow \text{acquired} (Not 'bought the rights')
  • Discourseโ†’intensified\text{Discourse} \rightarrow \text{intensified} (Not 'people talked more')

๐ŸŽ“ Synthesis for the Student

To implement this, stop using "because" or "so." Replace them with nouns that encapsulate the reason.

Example Transformation:

  • B2: "The race was moved because Pimlico is being rebuilt."
  • C2: "The relocation of the Preakness Stakes is a consequence of the ongoing reconstruction of Pimlico Race Course."

Key C2 Takeaway: Density โ‰ \neq Complexity. Density is the art of packing maximum information into minimum syntactic space.

Vocabulary Learning

bypass (v.)
to deliberately avoid or circumvent
Example:The horse's connections chose to bypass the Preakness Stakes to focus on recovery.
forgoes (v.)
to do without; to give up
Example:Golden Tempo forgoes the Preakness Stakes, prioritizing its long-term health.
precluding (v.)
preventing or making impossible
Example:The decision precludes Golden Tempo from competing in the Triple Crown.
necessity (n.)
something that is essential or required
Example:The administration cited the necessity of prioritizing the horse's health.
prioritizing (v.)
giving precedence to
Example:They are prioritizing the equine athlete's recovery over the racing schedule.
long-term (adj.)
lasting for a long period
Example:Long-term health is critical for a racehorse's career.
exertion (n.)
physical effort or strain
Example:The exertion of the Derby can leave a horse fatigued.
redirected (v.)
to change direction or focus
Example:The team redirected its focus toward the Belmont Stakes.
broader (adj.)
more extensive or wide-ranging
Example:This decision reflects a broader trend in racing.
contemporary (adj.)
belonging to the present time
Example:Contemporary thoroughbred racing emphasizes athlete welfare.
interval (n.)
a period of time between events
Example:The interval between the Derby and the Preakness is two weeks.
insufficient (adj.)
not enough
Example:The interval is increasingly viewed as insufficient for recovery.
omit (v.)
to leave out
Example:Golden Tempo omitted the second leg of the Triple Crown.
precedent (n.)
an earlier example that serves as a model
Example:Sovereignty set a precedent by skipping the Preakness.
participants (n.)
people taking part
Example:None of the 18 participants will compete in the Preakness.
slated (adj.)
scheduled or planned
Example:The Preakness is slated for the fourth Saturday in May.
patterns (n.)
repeated or consistent arrangements
Example:Such patterns have intensified discourse about the calendar.
intensified (v.)
made stronger or more intense
Example:The patterns have intensified discourse among officials.
discourse (n.)
formal discussion or debate
Example:The patterns have intensified discourse regarding the racing calendar.
viability (n.)
ability to work successfully
Example:The viability of the current calendar is under scrutiny.
postponement (n.)
the act of delaying
Example:Officials considered a postponement of the Preakness.
facilitate (v.)
to make easier or smoother
Example:The postponement would facilitate greater participation.
institutional (adj.)
relating to institutions
Example:Institutional shifts have altered the season's dynamics.
logistical (adj.)
pertaining to logistics
Example:Logistical challenges arose from the reconstruction.
characterize (v.)
to describe or define
Example:The shifts further characterize the current season.
reconstruction (n.)
rebuilding or restoring
Example:The Preakness is being conducted at Laurel Park due to reconstruction.
intellectual (adj.)
relating to the mind or intellect
Example:Churchill Downs acquired the intellectual rights to the race.
rights (n.)
legal entitlements
Example:The rights to the Preakness were transferred.
facility (n.)
a building or place for a particular purpose
Example:The primary Belmont Park facility is undergoing renovation.
renovation (n.)
the act of renovating
Example:Renovation of the Belmont Park facility is underway.
equine (adj.)
relating to horses
Example:Equine athletes require careful management.
collectively (adv.)
as a group
Example:The connections reached a decision collectively.
administration (n.)
the act of managing or governing
Example:The administration cited the necessity of prioritizing health.