Derby Winner's Preakness Decision Remains Uncertain as Field Takes Shape
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo emerged from his thrilling victory in good condition but remains uncommitted to the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park on May 16, trainer Cherie DeVaux reported Sunday morning.
The Curlin colt departed Churchill Downs for Keeneland shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday, returning to the base where he completed his Derby preparation. DeVaux, who conditions Golden Tempo for Phipps Stable and St Elias Stable, emphasized that any Preakness decision hinges on the horse’s continued well-being.
“We’ll get him back there, assess how he’s doing, as long as he’s in tip-top shape, we’ll talk about [Preakness] and it is on the table, but it’s really up to him,” DeVaux explained outside her Churchill barn.
Quick Turnaround Concerns
Golden Tempo’s campaign has featured measured spacing between starts since his December 20 maiden victory at Fair Grounds. The Derby marked his fifth career start, coming six weeks after his third-place Louisiana Derby finish. DeVaux acknowledged the Preakness’s two-week turnaround presents a different challenge.
“Obviously, this race is in two weeks, so it’s a lot different than what he’s done,” she noted. “He’s a horse that has a lot of constitution to him, so he can handle something like that. If one day he doesn’t look like he’s in tip-top shape we’ll pivot and come up with another plan.”
Historic Achievement
Saturday’s neck victory over Renegade, achieved with a last-to-first rally under Jose Ortiz, delivered milestone victories for both trainer and jockey. DeVaux became the first female trainer to capture the Kentucky Derby, while Ortiz secured his first Derby triumph. The performance earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
“It’s amazing that I get to be that person and I never have to answer the question about what it would [mean] to be the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby,” DeVaux reflected.
Derby Runners Chart Different Paths
Early Sunday assessments suggested limited Preakness participation from Saturday’s Derby field. Bob Baffert texted that Potente (12th) was questionable for the middle jewel.
Todd Pletcher confirmed runner-up Renegade would bypass the Preakness, shipping to Saratoga Tuesday for Belmont Stakes consideration on June 6. Despite breaking from the rail and enduring early bumping, Pletcher praised his colt’s effort.
“Thought he ran an incredible race, ended up getting a decent trip, but man the first 100 yards was pretty rough. After that, he ran terrific. The horse was in good shape this morning. Thankfully, he came out of it unscathed.”
Whit Beckman announced third-place finisher Ocelli, still seeking his maiden victory after six starts, would target Churchill’s Matt Winn Stakes on June 7 with the Travers as a summer goal.
“He ran his heart out yesterday and I just feel like what we want to try to do through the year… I don’t want to put him in a position now to burn him out completely,” Beckman explained.
Additional Derby Aftermath
Bill Mott reported fourth-place Chief Wallabee would ship to Saratoga for a spring/summer campaign. The trainer, who skipped last year’s Preakness with Derby winner Sovereignty, indicated owners Katherine and Michael Ball hadn’t mentioned the Preakness. Despite midstretch interference from Further Ado, Mott praised his colt’s courage.
“To get bounced around that late in the race and still come on, I thought he was very courageous, actually. He picked himself up and he could have easily been fifth and he was still trying right to the wire.”
Japanese runners Danon Bourbon (5th) and Wonder Dean (8th) began their journey home, with Wonder Dean and stablemate T O Elvis (Churchill Downs Stakes winner) departing Sunday for Chicago quarantine. Danon Bourbon’s departure was scheduled for Tuesday at earliest.
Chad Brown revealed Louisiana Derby winner Emerging Market (10th) lost a left front shoe during the race. Jockey Flavien Prat reported a hard bump at the three-eighths pole disrupted the colt’s rhythm.
“In addition to wishing he was a little farther back after looking at how the race unfolded, [Prat] also reported to me that around the three-eighths marker he took a very hard bump and he said it knocked him off balance and he said the horse never really felt the same after that to him,” Brown detailed.
Brad Cox’s entries Commandment (7th) and Further Ado (11th as 5-1 favorite) had pending plans but wouldn’t target the Preakness.
Preakness Prospects Emerge
Saturday’s Pat Day Mile winner Crude Velocity emerged as the most intriguing non-Derby Preakness possibility. Baffert rated the chances at 50-50 following the colt’s 100 Beyer performance.
Baffert confirmed plans to enter Cherokee Nation, 1-for-7 and sixth in the Santa Anita Derby. Steve Asmussen’s Chip Honcho, competitive with Golden Tempo in Louisiana preps, intentionally skipped the Derby targeting the Preakness.
Additional Preakness mentions included Crupper, Express Kid, Iron Honor, Napoleon Solo, Silent Tactic, Pretty Boy Miah, Taj Mahal, Talkin, and The Hell We Did.
