Context:

Sovereignty, the latest Kentucky Derby winner, will not participate in the Preakness Stakes, marking the fifth time in seven years that a Derby champion has skipped the race, thereby eliminating the chance for a Triple Crown winner. This trend reflects a significant shift in horse racing philosophy, as many trainers prefer to rest their horses longer between races, prioritizing the horses' welfare over tradition. Historically, the Derby winner's participation in the Preakness was almost guaranteed, but modern breeding, financial considerations, and concerns about the horses' well-being have changed this dynamic. The debate continues about whether restructuring the Triple Crown schedule would benefit the sport, with some stakeholders suggesting changes to the race order and timing. Despite these changes, the occasional exceptional horse like American Pharoah and Justify has managed to win the Triple Crown, demonstrating that it remains achievable under the current format.

Dive Deeper:

• Sovereignty's withdrawal from the Preakness Stakes continues a recent trend where Derby winners often skip the race, decreasing the likelihood of a Triple Crown champion emerging. This pattern has occurred five times in the past seven years, contrasting sharply with the previous era when Derby winners frequently pursued the Triple Crown.

• The shift in racing strategy is attributed to changes in breeding practices and a stronger emphasis on horse welfare, with trainers increasingly opting to give their horses more time to recover between races. This is in stark contrast to the past when top horses regularly competed with shorter intervals between races.

• Historically, the participation of the Kentucky Derby winner in the Preakness was almost a given, driven by tradition and the pursuit of the Triple Crown. However, modern considerations, including financial incentives and the physical demands on horses, have led to a reevaluation of this tradition.

• The debate over the Triple Crown schedule has been ongoing, with some stakeholders proposing changes to the order and timing of the races to provide more rest between them. Suggestions include moving the Belmont Stakes up and pushing the Preakness back to create better spacing.

• Despite the modern challenges, exceptional horses like American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018 have proven that winning the Triple Crown is still possible. These instances suggest that while the format poses challenges, it can still be overcome by extraordinary talent and strategic training.

• Trainers like Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas have shown a willingness to pursue the Triple Crown despite these challenges, with Baffert having trained both American Pharoah and Justify. Their success illustrates that while the landscape of horse racing has changed, the tradition and allure of the Triple Crown remain potent.

• The future of the Preakness Stakes is uncertain if the trend of Derby winners skipping the race continues, as this could diminish the race's prestige and significance. The racing community remains divided on whether significant changes, akin to the pitch clock in baseball, are necessary to adapt to modern racing realities.