What's happened
In a thrilling finish at the Preakness Stakes, Journalism, ridden by Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli, overcame a challenging race to secure victory. This win marks Rispoli's first in a Triple Crown race, as he maneuvered through traffic to defeat long shot Gosger. The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty shifted the dynamics of the race.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights:
- Rispoli's Historic Win: Umberto Rispoli became the first Italian jockey to win a Triple Crown race, showcasing his skill in navigating a crowded field.
- Race Dynamics: The absence of Sovereignty allowed Journalism to be the clear favorite, altering the competitive landscape of the race.
- Future Implications: The ongoing debate about the scheduling of the Triple Crown races continues, as trainers prioritize the health of their horses over tradition.
Implications for Horse Racing:
- The decision by Sovereignty's connections to skip the Preakness reflects a growing trend among trainers to prioritize horse welfare, potentially reshaping future racing strategies.
- The Preakness Stakes' significance may diminish if top contenders continue to bypass the race, impacting fan engagement and attendance.
What the papers say
According to AP News, Rispoli's victory was a remarkable achievement, as he stated, "It’s a privilege to ride a horse like him." The Japan Times highlighted the dramatic finish, noting how Journalism maneuvered through a tight gap to clinch the win. Meanwhile, the NY Post emphasized the implications of Sovereignty's absence, stating that it simplified the betting landscape for Journalism, who was the clear favorite. This shift in dynamics has sparked discussions about the future of the Triple Crown, with many questioning the traditional scheduling of the races.
How we got here
The Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, took place on May 17, 2025, without Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who opted to skip the race for the Belmont Stakes. This decision has reignited discussions about the scheduling of the Triple Crown races, as it marks the seventh consecutive year without a chance for a Triple Crown champion.
Go deeper
- What were the odds for Journalism before the race?
- How did the absence of Sovereignty affect the betting?
- What are the implications for future Triple Crown races?
Common question
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What are the latest updates on Tyler Callihan's injury and Sovereignty's Preakness Stakes decision?
In the world of sports, injuries and race decisions can significantly impact teams and events. Recently, Tyler Callihan of the Cincinnati Reds suffered a forearm injury, while Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty has opted out of the Preakness Stakes. These developments raise questions about their implications for the season and the Triple Crown race. Here are some common questions and answers regarding these topics.
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Why is Sovereignty Skipping the Preakness Stakes?
Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby winner, has made headlines by opting out of the Preakness Stakes for the second consecutive year. This decision raises questions about the future of the Triple Crown and the priorities of horse trainers in ensuring the health of their athletes. Below, we explore the implications of this choice and what it means for horse racing fans.
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Why is Sovereignty Skipping the Preakness Stakes?
The decision of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty to skip the Preakness Stakes has raised eyebrows in the horse racing community. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion, prompting questions about the future of the sport and its impact on fans. Below, we explore the implications of this decision and what it means for horse racing enthusiasts.
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Why is Sovereignty Skipping the Preakness Stakes?
The decision of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty to skip the Preakness Stakes has raised eyebrows in the horse racing community. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion, prompting questions about the future of the sport and the implications of prioritizing horse welfare over tradition. Here are some common questions surrounding this significant decision.
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Why is Sovereignty Skipping the Preakness Stakes?
The decision of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty to skip the Preakness Stakes has raised eyebrows in the horse racing community. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion, prompting questions about the implications for the sport and its future. Below, we explore the reasons behind this decision and its impact on the upcoming races.
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Why is the Kentucky Derby Winner Skipping the Preakness Stakes?
The decision of the Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, to skip the Preakness Stakes has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the future of the Triple Crown. With this being the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion, many are left wondering what this means for the sport and its scheduling. Here are some common questions surrounding this topic.
More on these topics
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Maryland is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Southeastern United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to its east.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the 30th most populous city in the United States, with a population of 593,490 in 2019.
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The Preakness Stakes is an American flat thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 poun
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The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, almost always on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.
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Pimlico Race Course is a thoroughbred horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pi
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Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state located in the Southern United States. Kentucky is the 37th most extensive and the 26th most populous of the 50 United States.
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The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds; fillies carry 121 pounds.
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Robert A. Baffert is an American racehorse trainer who trained the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.
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Darrell Wayne Lukas is an American horse trainer and a U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee. He has won twenty Breeders' Cup races, received five Eclipse Awards for his accomplishments, and his horses have won 25 year-end Eclipse Awards.
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Umberto Rispoli is a horse racing jockey. He commenced his apprenticeship in 2005 and graduated to the senior ranks in 2010. He was a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club until December 2019 when he moved his tack to Southern California.