What's happened
The 150th Preakness Stakes will proceed without Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who will instead compete in the Belmont Stakes. This marks the seventh consecutive year without a Triple Crown champion. Trainer Bill Mott emphasized the decision prioritizes the horse's long-term health, reigniting debates about the scheduling of the Triple Crown races.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues Surrounding the Preakness Stakes
- Absence of Sovereignty: The decision for Sovereignty to skip the Preakness highlights a growing trend where Derby winners opt for longer recovery times, raising questions about the traditional scheduling of the Triple Crown.
- Impact on the Race: With Sovereignty out, Journalism emerges as the clear favorite, simplifying the betting landscape but potentially diminishing viewer interest.
- Debate on Scheduling: The two-week gap between the Derby and Preakness is increasingly viewed as outdated. Many trainers advocate for longer intervals to ensure the horses' health and performance.
- Future of the Triple Crown: The ongoing discussions about race scheduling may lead to significant changes in how the Triple Crown is structured, potentially moving the Belmont Stakes to a more favorable position in the sequence.
This situation will likely continue to evolve as stakeholders in horse racing weigh the importance of tradition against the welfare of the horses.
What the papers say
According to AP News, trainer Bill Mott's decision to skip the Preakness with Sovereignty is rooted in prioritizing the horse's long-term health, stating, "We want to do what’s best for the horse." This sentiment is echoed by other trainers who express concerns about the physical demands placed on horses in modern racing. The New York Post notes that Sovereignty's absence simplifies the betting landscape, making Journalism the consensus favorite. However, this shift raises concerns about viewer engagement, as the Preakness may lack the excitement typically generated by a Derby winner's participation. The Guardian highlights that this marks the fifth time in seven years that the Preakness will not feature a Triple Crown contender, reigniting debates about the scheduling of these prestigious races. As the industry grapples with these changes, the future of the Triple Crown remains uncertain.
How we got here
Sovereignty's withdrawal from the Preakness Stakes continues a trend of Derby winners skipping the second leg of the Triple Crown. This decision reflects modern concerns about horse welfare and the challenges of a two-week turnaround between races, leading to discussions about potential changes to the Triple Crown schedule.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Sovereignty skipping the Preakness?
- How does this affect the betting odds for the Preakness?
- What changes are being proposed for the Triple Crown schedule?
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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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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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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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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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.