Preakness Stakes Betting News: Sovereignty Out

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Preakness Stakes Betting News

Sovereignty Out of Preakness, Belmont Stakes Up Next

Sovereignty, fresh off his win in the 151st Kentucky Derby, will not participate in the Preakness Stakes on May 17. Rather than heading to the Preakness, trainer Bill Mott and the Godolphin team have chosen to direct the promising colt toward the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 7 at Saratoga Racecourse.

This decision shifts the landscape for Horse Racing Betting and has implications for current Preakness Stakes odds and Preakness Stakes betting strategies.

The announcement came directly from 1/ST Racing executive vice president Mike Rogers, who confirmed the colt will bypass the second leg of the Triple Crown. 

While Sovereignty’s performance at Churchill Downs excited fans, the Godolphin team prioritizes long-term career goals over the traditional Triple Crown schedule.

A Strategic Long-Term Decision

Trainer Bill Mott reported that Sovereignty exited the 1 1/4-mile Derby in good shape and suffered no setbacks. However, Mott expressed that the connections had little interest in running the colt back on just two weeks’ rest. 

The Kentucky Derby was Sovereignty’s third demanding start this year, taking place over a muddy track. As a result, the team decided to avoid the quick turnaround required for the Preakness Stakes, opting instead to give the colt time to recover and regroup.

Mott emphasized that the move wasn’t about the horse’s physical condition but rather a choice to manage Sovereignty’s career with longevity in mind. “It’s not that horses can’t do it. We just opted to look at the long term,” said Mott. He also hinted that another big race, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, could be in the colt’s future.

Godolphin director of bloodstock Michael Banahan called it a team decision and echoed Mott’s focus on what’s best for Sovereignty going forward. Ultimately, it’s a move that demonstrates confidence in the horse’s future and a commitment to a broader campaign that extends beyond the Triple Crown.

Impact on the Preakness Field

Sovereignty’s absence will reshape the Preakness stakes betting board and possibly shift favoritism to other Kentucky Derby contenders. Journalism, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, is still considered a possible starter for the Preakness Stakes.

Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners clarified that Sovereignty’s defection will not influence their decision to run Journalism. Instead, Curlin’s son is being evaluated daily, and a final call will be made strictly based on his condition and readiness.

This marks the third time in seven years that the Derby winner will skip the Preakness Stakes. Back in 2019, Country House, also trained by Mott, was sidelined by illness, while Rich Strike in 2022 skipped the Preakness to focus on the Belmont instead. This recurring trend has sparked renewed discussion within the racing community about whether the spacing between Triple Crown races should be revisited.

Debate Over Triple Crown Scheduling

With just two weeks between the Derby and the Preakness, many trainers now hesitate to run elite horses on such short rest. Mott acknowledged the challenge of the current setup but stopped short of taking a firm position on whether the Triple Crown schedule should change.

“It’s a very challenging ordeal,” he said. “To run in all three races is quite taxing. If you can do it, great. I guess it’s just a question of where your priorities are.”

Sovereignty’s win was historic for Godolphin, delivering their first Kentucky Derby victory after twelve previous attempts. It also gave jockey Junior Alvarado his first Derby triumph. The colt, sired by Into Mischief, showed determination and class by outkicking Journalism down the stretch at Churchill Downs in harsh conditions.

For horseplayers, this development reshapes the landscape of the Preakness Stakes betting odds. While Sovereignty will not compete in the Preakness, his presence looms large for those looking ahead to Belmont weekend. For all the latest odds, expert picks, and Horse Racing Betting coverage, visit our racebook.