The field is set for this year’s $2M, 151st Preakness Stakes, once again at Maryland’s Laurel Park while the traditional Pimlico course is in the final stages of a 2-year, multi-million dollar renovation. However, Golden Tempo, the shock-and-awe horse who literally sneaked up from behind the pack to claim first place at the Kentucky Derby, will not be posting up among the 14 horses vying for the Preakness title.
That means for the eighth year in a row, there won’t be a Triple Crown winner – which is becoming less of an aspiration among trainers and owners in favor of their horses’ health and longevity. There isn’t much time between each of the three races – only about two weeks – and each race has different challenges.
Owner Cherie DeVaux and her team decided to give Golden Tempo “a little more time” and rest after his electrifying triumph at Louisville, rather than push him in a relentless pursuit of the Triple Crown – something that hasn’t been achieved since Justify’s equally stunning win in 2018, as owners and trainers seem to be foregoing that, and instead working on becoming more specialized, as they train for the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont differently; each race has its unique features and conditioning requirements.
“It’s definitely different,” she told podcaster Dan Patrick recently. “We do focus more on the race-to-race of what we’re doing, and the Kentucky Derby was our big goal.”
DeVaux also said it wouldn’t have mattered if the time between the Derby and the Preakness was three weeks instead of two; time wasn’t the reason for her decision to rest Golden Tempo.
“That has nothing to do with it,” she said. “I admire any horse that tries for the Triple Crown. But it’s a horse-by-horse basis. A different type of horse with a different running style would probably, you know – play differently in our decision making.”
Fellow owner and Derby competitor Bob Baffert – who is also the owner of Triple Crown champions American Pharoah and Justify – also followed DeVaux by pulling Crude Velocity out of the Preakness for virtually the same reasoning.
“He could probably make the race, but it would be asking a lot of him,” Baffert said, adding that his team will “point the horse towards Woody Stephens and Haskell” and allow Crude Velocity the recovery and rest he needs in order to be his best.
Two of the 14 horses running this weekend at Laurel Park – Taj Mahal and Corona de Oro – have connections to Ocala:
Corona de Oro
Color Sex: Bay colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points:
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Owner: On Our Own Stable LLC, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables LLC, Saints or Sinners
Jockey: Hernandez Jr., Brian Joseph
Breeder: Willow Oaks Stable LLC
Breeding: Bolt d’Oro – Lemon de Oro
Auction History:
Last Race:
Record:
Earnings: $92,540
Ocala/Marion County Connection: On the Derby also-eligible list, spent time as a yearling with Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board member Beth Bayer of Ocala. Bayer consigned the colt to the 2024 OBS October Yearling Sale where Michael Sucher of West Palm Beach, Florida purchased him for $100,000 in the name of his Champion Equine. Corona de Oro received his early schooling from Tom McCrocklin of Ocala.
Taj Mahal
Color Sex: Bay colt
Kentucky Derby Qualifying Points:
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell
Owner: SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC and Donovan, Catherine
Jockey: Sheldon Russell
Breeder: Vegso Racing Stable
Breeding: Nyquist – Oola Gal
Auction History: purchased for $525,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
Last Race:
Record:
Earnings: $178,200
Taj Mahal was bred in Florida by Peter Vegso of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., under his Ocala-based Vegso Racing Stable.
Marion County and Ocala, of course, have always had extensive connections to the Triple Crown races and of thoroughbred racing, training, and breeding. Ten of the twenty horses that ran in this year’s Derby have history in Ocala, as have several Derby and Triple Crown winners. You can learn more about that on Showcase’s Blog, where we love to talk about all things horses and the equine industry that is so key to our community.
For more information on the starting lineup and any changes to the post up on Saturday visit the official Preakness Stakes site or follow coverage at NBC Sports Preakness and the NBC Insider page for details about breaking news and where to watch the May 16 races.
Note: The Preakness Stakes field and morning-line odds are subject to change throughout the week as horses are entered or withdrawn. While this article reflects the most current information available at the time of publication, updates may occur after posting. Be sure to verify the latest lineup, odds, and race news before placing any bets or making plans based on the field.