The 2025 Preakness Stakes roared to a thrilling conclusion, with Journalism clinching the win. But amidst the cheers and celebrations, a nagging question lingered in the air: why wasn’t Sovereignty, the Kentucky Derby champion, in the starting gate? This absence wasn’t just a matter of one horse’s schedule; it underscored a larger issue plaguing the sport – a missed opportunity to reignite mainstream interest in horse racing. But why is this the case? And what does it mean for the future of the sport?
The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Absence
With the impending demolition of old Pimlico and a $400 million investment to revitalize the track, the stakes are undeniably high for Maryland. The Preakness, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, remains a crucial event, but without the Derby winner, does it truly capture the broader sporting world’s attention?
The dream rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism, echoing rivalries of the past like Affirmed and Alydar, vanished when Sovereignty’s team decided against the two-week turnaround after the Derby. Instead, they’re eyeing the Belmont, leaving fans wondering what could have been. A missed opportunity? Arguably, one of the biggest in recent memory.
What Happened to Rivarly?
Once upon a time, horse racing was fueled by intense rivalries, creating fan bases and generating excitement. Now, with horses often skipping legs of the Triple Crown, the overarching narrative is lost.
The Core Issue: A Fragmented Sport
The challenge lies in the fractured structure of horse racing, where Churchill Downs, Pimlico, and the New York Racing Association operate independently. Aligning their schedules to ensure the best horses compete in all three Triple Crown races is a monumental task. So, how can the sport overcome this hurdle? Should there be changes in the future?
The Stakes are High for Maryland
Maryland’s investment hinges on the Preakness consistently attracting the Derby winner. Without this, the state risks a significant financial loss.
A Call for Unity
As Pimlico prepares for its temporary relocation to Laurel Park, stakeholders must unite to prioritize the sport’s future. Even a spectacular race and a champion horse can’t sustain relevance without a compelling narrative. It’s basic Journalism.
The 2025 Preakness Stakes: A Look at the Field
The 2025 Preakness featured a field of nine horses, with Journalism emerging victorious after a stunning come-from-behind performance. Initially trailing in sixth place, Journalism surged to the front, securing the win. But was the victory as sweet without Sovereignty in the mix?
Preakness Stakes Horses and Odds:
- Goal Oriented (6-1)
- Journalism (8-5)
- American Promise (15-1)
- Heart of Honor (12-1)
- Pay Billy (20-1)
- River Thames (9-2)
- Sandman (4-1)
- Clever Again (5-1)
- Gosger (20-1)
The absence of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty dashed any hopes for a Triple Crown contender this year. Sovereignty’s trainer cited the need for rest in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. Was this the right call for the horse, or a disservice to the sport?
Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, seized the opportunity, adding a Preakness victory to its resume. But will Journalism compete in the Belmont for a rematch with Sovereignty? Only time will tell.
The Derby Recap: Sovereignty’s Triumph
Sovereignty’s victory at the Kentucky Derby marked a significant achievement for trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado. However, the decision to skip the Preakness cast a shadow over the win, prompting questions about the modern approach to horse racing.
The Financial Impact: A Ratings Rollercoaster
Sovereignty’s Derby win drew impressive viewership numbers for NBC, but the absence of a Triple Crown contender at the Preakness could lead to a decline. The network heavily relies on narrative for viewership.
A year without a Triple Crown contender typically costs the network about 2 million viewers. Two Kentucky Derby winners have skipped the Preakness in the last two decades, and fans tuned out. Is it possible this could change viewership?
Impact of No Triple Crown Contender on Viewership
Here’s a look at how skipping the Preakness can impact the audience:
- 2019: Country House didn’t race, resulting in 5.41 million viewers, a 32% decrease from the previous year.
- 2022: Rich Strike skipped the Preakness, and viewership dropped to 5.3 million, a 24% decrease from 2021.
The Debate: Scheduling and Horse Welfare
The decision to rest Sovereignty has reignited the debate over the Triple Crown’s scheduling. Some argue for extending the time between races to allow horses more recovery time. After all, the wellbeing of the horses should always be the priority, right?
Randy Moss, a veteran horse racing analyst, believes the Triple Crown is losing its luster due to the lack of rest between races. Trainers are now considering the health of their horses.
The Trainer Rivalry: Baffert vs. Lukas
Even without Sovereignty, NBC is focusing on the rivalry between trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas to create interest in the Preakness. It is also hoping that the rivalry will help create the allure of history as much as the horses do themselves.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby: Full Results
Here are the complete results from the 2025 Kentucky Derby:
- Sovereignty
- Journalism
- Baeza
- Final Gambit
- Owen Almighty
- Burnham Square
- Sandman
- East Avenue
- Chunk of Gold
- Tiztastic
- Coal Battle
- Luxor Cafe
- Neoequos
- Publisher
- Citizen Bull
- American Promise
- Render Judgement
- Flying Mohawk
- Admire Daytona
Tradition vs. Modernization: A Sport at a Crossroads
The trend of Derby winners skipping the Preakness highlights the tension between tradition and the modernization of horse racing. With longer gaps between races becoming the norm, is it time to re-evaluate the Triple Crown’s structure?
Steve Asmussen, a renowned trainer, acknowledges the debate but emphasizes the difficulty of winning the Triple Crown, which adds to its prestige. Should the sport prioritize tradition or adapt to modern training practices?
D. Wayne Lukas: The Pete Rozelle of Horse Racing?
There was a time when some in racing described Lukas as somebody with the right stuff to be a commissioner of the sport, a Pete Rozelle of the equine world. Was he seen as too prickly, too opinionated?
The 150th Preakness: A Celebration With a Void
Despite the pomp and circumstance surrounding the 150th running of the Preakness, the absence of Sovereignty creates a void.
What Is the Future of the Triple Crown?
The current state of horse racing, characterized by fragmented leadership and conflicting priorities, poses a threat to the sport’s future. Can the industry overcome these challenges to ensure a sustainable and compelling future? The absence of Sovereignty from the Preakness isn’t just about one horse; it’s a symptom of a deeper issue that needs addressing. Will horse racing seize the opportunity to evolve, or will it continue to eat its fans, one missed race at a time?
A Modern View on The Triple Crown
The Triple Crown has a problem. Load management has entered the arena of horse racing, and the tradition is taking a back seat for modern science and strategy. As owner and trainers seek more rest for horses between races, its hurting the sport and taking the Triple Crown out of the picture.
The Last Word
It seems a shame that these traditions are being abandoned in favor of modern strategy. Are we losing part of the spirit of the sport?
Preakness Stakes: Key Questions Answered
Why didn’t Sovereignty run in the Preakness Stakes?
Sovereignty’s team decided to skip the Preakness to allow the horse more rest and prepare for the Belmont Stakes.
How does skipping the Preakness affect the Triple Crown narrative?
When the Kentucky Derby winner skips the Preakness, it disrupts the Triple Crown storyline and can lead to decreased viewership and fan engagement.
What are the main challenges facing the future of horse racing?
The fragmented structure of the sport, conflicting priorities between different racing organizations, and the tension between tradition and modern training practices all pose challenges to the future of horse racing.
The Future of the Preakness and Triple Crown: A Critical Juncture
The absence of Sovereignty from the Preakness highlights a broader issue within horse racing: the conflict between tradition and modern training practices. For the sport to thrive, stakeholders must unite to prioritize a sustainable and compelling narrative that keeps fans engaged.
