Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will skip the Preakness Stakes, marking a continued absence of Triple Crown contenders since Justify's win in 2018. Trainer Bill Mott indicated long-term health and strategy for Sovereignty influenced the decision, with plans to aim for the Belmont Stakes instead. This decision has reignited discussions in horse racing about the pacing and scheduling of the major races, particularly the two-week gap between the Derby and the Preakness, raising questions regarding the potential impact on horses' performance and well-being.
"We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness," 1/ST Racing executive VP Mike Rogers said Tuesday. "We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision."
Mott told Preakness officials the plan will be to enter Sovereignty in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Mott on Sunday morning foreshadowed skipping the Preakness in the name of long-term interests.
"We want to do what's best for the horse," Mott told reporters at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. "Of course, you always think about a Triple Crown, and that's not something we're not going to think about."
This is the fourth time since Justify won all three races in 2018 that the Preakness will go on without a true shot at a Triple Crown.
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