Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty to skip Preakness

Preakness Stakes officials confirmed on Tuesday that Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not compete in the second leg of the Triple Crown.

"We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness," said Mike Rogers, executive vice president of 1/ST, which operates Pimlico. "We extend our congratulations to the connections of Sovereignty and respect their decision. We continue to see the excitement building toward the milestone celebration of the 150th Preakness Stakes, and we look forward to an incredible weekend of world-class racing and entertainment."

The decision means there still won't be a Triple Crown winner for the first time since Justify in 2018. Justify is also the most recent Kentucky Derby champion to win the Preakness.

The Preakness is scheduled for May 17 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Sovereignty is expected to return for the Belmont Stakes on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Ridden by Junior Alvarado and owned by Godolphin, Sovereignty won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs last Saturday by 1 1/2 lengths over Journalism on a sloppy track.

--Field Level Media