Why Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo didn't run for Triple Crown

Racing horse Golden Tempo stormed to victory in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes to claim two of the three Triple Crown races this spring.

It’s a heck of an accomplishment for Golden Tempo and trainer Cherie DeVaux. However, we would have loved to see Golden Tempo compete in May’s Preakness Stakes. Why didn’t he?

Well, DeVaux wisely rested Golden Tempo from the two-week turnaround required to contend at Pimlico Race Course to make sure he had plenty of time to recover until the next race.

“Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort,” the statement from DeVaux read about her decision to park Golden Tempo. “His health, happiness, and long-term future will always remain our top priority.”

The annual Triple Crown racing schedule is so condensed; more time between the race would give trainers an easier time pacing out their horses. If you’re wondering why we don’t get more Triple Crown winners, the schedule stings.

Perhaps in the years to come, the organizers for these historic horse races will agree to a better timeline for the Tripe Crown events so that horses like Golden Tempo can safely compete in all three competitions.