Overview

• Sovereignty, the 2025 Kentucky Derby champion, will not compete in the Preakness Stakes, officially ending the possibility of a Triple Crown winner this year.
• Trainer Bill Mott cited a minor scrape on Sovereignty's right front pastern and the horse's long-term welfare as reasons for the decision.
• The Belmont Stakes, set for June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, will now be Sovereignty's next target in the Triple Crown series.
• Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, is now considered the early favorite for the Preakness, with new contenders like Rodriguez and Heart of Honor entering the field.
• The traditional two-week gap between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness has reignited discussions about adjusting the Triple Crown schedule to better align with modern training practices.