The article highlights a growing crisis in American horse racing, centered on the Preakness Stakes’ declining relevance following trainer Cherie DeVaux’s decision to skip the race with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo. This move underscores a broader issue: the traditional Triple Crown schedule, which demands three grueling races within five weeks, is increasingly seen as unrealistic and harmful to horses’ health and longevity. Trainers now prioritize their horses’ well-being over chasing the Triple Crown, leading to fewer Derby winners competing in the Preakness and threatening the event’s prestige and viewership.

The piece argues that the sport must adapt by reconsidering the Triple Crown’s format, possibly spacing out the races more to allow adequate recovery time. Without such changes, the Triple Crown risks losing its cultural and sporting significance. The article calls for urgent cooperation among racing authorities to revise the schedule before the next season, warning that failure to do so could result in the Preakness—and the Triple Crown itself—fading into irrelevance despite its historic legacy.