Another Year Without a Triple Crown
We want to do what’s best for the horse. – Bill Mott
In horse racing news, it was learned that Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not race in the Preakness, thus ending any hope that he will inhabit the rarified air of Triple Crown winners.
Health Concerns
Who won the Kentucky Derby but won’t be going to the Preakness? That would be the Bill Mott-trained colt named Sovereignty. The Triple Crown of horse racing is a rare accomplishment indeed, as there have only been 13 horses in its 150-year history to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. Justify was the last horse to join that elusive club with his trio of winning races in 2018.
Mike Rogers, executive VP of 1/ST Racing, which operates the Preakness, broke the news by saying, “We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness. We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision.”
Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not compete in the Preakness Stakes, trainer Bill Mott informed Mike Rogers, the executive vice president of 1/ST Racing.
There will be no horse racing Triple Crown this year. pic.twitter.com/YQievK8yRj
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 6, 2025
However, it was not a complete shock, as Mott had intimated he might forego the Preakness in the best interests of the safety and welfare of his charge.
“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.”
Those who bet on horse racing and are fans of the sport understand it’s always a letdown when the Derby-winning trainer decides to rest his horse for the Preakness in preparation for the arduous Belmont Stakes, the oldest, longest, and final piece of the Triple Crown.
Switching the Schedule
Sovereignty bested the field and outdueled the favorite, Journalism, down the home stretch in his thrilling Derby victory, much to the delight of those who had a few bucks on the 7-1 bay colt. But there was never a word about an injury before or after the race, yet trainer Bill Mott said he’s doing what’s right for his horse.
So, what’s the deal? Well, Mott is doing what has become somewhat fashionable lately and skipping the Preakness. When is the Preakness, anyway? Well, that’s the crux of the issue, as it is only two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, and many have become convinced it’s just too damn soon to run a horse after a grueling ride around the Churchill Downs oval.
SOVEREIGNTY TURNED ON THE JETS DOWN THE STRETCH TO WIN THE 151ST KENTUCKY DERBY! 🌹👏#KyDerby pic.twitter.com/ZgQEcbvDJb
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 3, 2025
Billionaire horse owner Mike Repole posted on social media that he believes the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, should become the second leg and be run four weeks after the Derby and not two weeks.
“The Preakness being run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, in this new day and age in racing, shows the lack of vision and leadership needed to evolve this sport,” Repole wrote. “I expect the top three finishers of this year’s Derby to skip the Preakness and go right to the Belmont.”
Maybe he’s right, but change does not come easily in horse racing. Therefore, it’s likely it will continue to be this way for the foreseeable future, and the Preakness will suffer because of it.
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