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Series Complete · All 3 Legs Final Updated May 18, 2026

2026 Triple Crown Series

The 2026 classic season is complete, with no Triple Crown. Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby at 23-1, then skipped the Preakness. Napoleon Solo seized the Preakness at Laurel Park, then skipped the Belmont. Golden Tempo returned at Saratoga on June 6 to win the Belmont from last to first, finishing the season two-for-two in the legs he entered.

The Three Legs at a Glance

Each card below links to our full pillar coverage with results, payouts, FAQs, and where to bet from Kentucky.

152nd · May 2, 2026 ✓ Final

Kentucky Derby

Track: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY Distance: 1 1/4 miles Purse: $5,000,000
Winner
Golden Tempo (23-1)
Jose Ortiz · Cherie DeVaux · 2:02.27

Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to train a Kentucky Derby winner. Closed from last place to deny favorite Renegade at the wire.

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151st · May 16, 2026 ✓ Final

Preakness Stakes

Track: Laurel Park, Laurel, MD Distance: 1 3/16 miles Purse: $2,000,000
Winner
Napoleon Solo (10-1)
Paco Lopez · Chad Summers · 1:58.69

First Preakness ever at Laurel Park (Pimlico under $250M renovation). Summers and Lopez each won the Preakness for the first time. Ran down favorite Iron Honor in the stretch.

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158th · June 6, 2026 ✓ Final

Belmont Stakes

Track: Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY Distance: 1 1/4 miles Purse: $2,000,000
Winner
Golden Tempo (6-1)
Jose Ortiz · Cherie DeVaux · 2:03.49

Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness, returned fresh, and rallied from last to first to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Preakness winner Napoleon Solo skipped the race for the Haskell. Run at Saratoga for the third straight year at 1 1/4 miles; same as the Derby. Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win two Triple Crown legs in one year.

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Why There's No Triple Crown in 2026

A Triple Crown requires the same horse to win all three legs in the same year. The 2026 series broke down on the second leg:

  • May 2; Derby: Golden Tempo wins (23-1).
  • May 16; Preakness: Golden Tempo's connections elected to skip and rest him for the Belmont. Napoleon Solo (10-1) won instead.
  • June 6; Belmont: Napoleon Solo also skipped, pointing toward the Haskell, so neither classic winner could complete a Triple Crown. Golden Tempo returned to win the Belmont at 6-1.

This is the first guaranteed absence of a Triple Crown since 2018, when Justify completed the most recent sweep. Skipping the Preakness has become increasingly common; only six Derby winners since 2010 have run all three legs.

Bettor's Angle; No Triple Crown Meant Better Value

When a horse arrives at the Belmont with a chance to sweep the series, public money piles onto the favorite and compresses payouts across the entire card. With no Triple Crown bid in 2026, the Belmont delivered exactly that fairer market:

  • More efficient win pool pricing; Golden Tempo, the Derby winner, returned a healthy $14.00 to win at 6-1 rather than an artificially short price.
  • Higher exotic payouts; with favorite Renegade beaten into third, the exacta paid $111.34, the trifecta $102.64, and the superfecta $237.98.
  • Live mid-priced contenders; Commandment, a Preakness skipper, ran second at a fair price in a field without a "spoiler" narrative inflating the chalk.

The Last Five Triple Crown Winners

YearHorseTrainerNote
2018JustifyBob BaffertMost recent winner. Undefeated.
2015American PharoahBob BaffertEnded a 37-year Triple Crown drought.
1978AffirmedLaz BarreraFamous duels with Alydar.
1977Seattle SlewBilly TurnerOnly undefeated Triple Crown winner at the time.
1973SecretariatLucien LaurinBelmont won by 31 lengths in 2:24; record stands.

Only 13 horses have completed the Triple Crown since the term was coined in 1930.

Best Sportsbooks for Triple Crown Betting in Kentucky

FanDuel (with TVG integration) is the top all-around choice for both pari-mutuel and fixed-odds Triple Crown wagering. DraftKings and bet365 round out our top three.

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FAQ; Triple Crown 2026

Why was there no 2026 Triple Crown winner?

A Triple Crown requires the same horse to win all three legs in the same year. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness, which was won by Napoleon Solo. Because Golden Tempo did not contest the Preakness, he could not complete the Triple Crown; and because Napoleon Solo did not win the Derby, he could not either. Golden Tempo went on to win the Belmont. It was the first guaranteed absence of a Triple Crown since 2018, when Justify last completed the sweep.

Who has won the most Triple Crowns?

Only 13 horses have ever won the Triple Crown in the modern era (since 1919). Bob Baffert is the only trainer to have done it twice; with American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018). Eddie Arcaro is the only jockey to win the Triple Crown twice, aboard Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (1948).

What's the prize money for the 2026 Triple Crown?

The combined purses for the three 2026 races total $9 million: Kentucky Derby ($5M), Preakness Stakes ($2M), Belmont Stakes ($2M). The Triple Crown bonus that some years has been awarded for a sweep is currently not on offer in 2026.

When does the 2027 Triple Crown begin?

The 2027 Triple Crown series begins with the 153rd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 1, 2027, followed by the Preakness Stakes (returning to a rebuilt Pimlico) and the Belmont Stakes (returning to Belmont Park at the traditional 1 1/2-mile distance).

Can I bet Triple Crown futures from Kentucky?

Yes. Triple Crown futures markets open at most Kentucky sportsbooks in late winter; typically January or February; and remain available through Derby week. Note that "Triple Crown winner" futures expire after the Preakness once a sweep becomes impossible (as in 2026, after Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness).