Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will bypass the Preakness Stakes next weekend, trainer Cherie DeVaux announced Wednesday, according to WUKY 91.3 FM.

DeVaux's decision to sidestep the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown follows Golden Tempo's Kentucky Derby victory and sets the horse's sights on the Belmont Stakes scheduled for June. The strategy is not uncommon among Derby-winning connections, as some trainers opt to skip the Preakness to keep their horse fresh and reduce injury risk before a third Triple Crown race.

The Preakness Stakes, traditionally held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, serves as the middle jewel of racing's most prestigious series. By forgoing the race, Golden Tempo will have additional time to train and prepare specifically for Belmont Park's demanding mile-and-a-half track layout.

The decision reflects a calculated approach that prioritizes Golden Tempo's long-term conditioning over competing in back-to-back races within a three-week span. Trainers and racing analysts have increasingly examined the toll consecutive Triple Crown races can take on horses, particularly when the races involve different track configurations and distances.

Golden Tempo's absence from the Preakness opens the field for other Derby competitors and creates uncertainty about which horses might pursue racing's most elusive prize: winning all three Triple Crown races in a single season. No horse has achieved that feat since American Pharoah in 2015.

DeVaux has not disclosed specific details about Golden Tempo's Belmont preparation timeline or the location where the horse will train between now and June.