For years, horse racing fans and insiders have debated whether the Triple Crown calendar needs a shake-up. Now, that change might finally be on the horizon—but will it be enough?

Golden Tempo, the latest Kentucky Derby winner, will not run in the Preakness Stakes. That makes him the third Derby champion in the last five years to skip the second jewel of the Triple Crown. In fact, for the sixth time in eight years, the Preakness will take place without a Triple Crown contender on the line. It's a trend that has many in the sport calling for a change.

Maryland officials are reportedly considering shifting the Preakness from two weeks after the Derby to three. The Kentucky Derby always runs on the first Saturday in May, followed by the Preakness two weeks later, and then the Belmont Stakes on the first Saturday in June. That five-week span has been the Triple Crown's backbone since 1969—except for the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, when the races were run out of order.

But even with an extra week between the Derby and Preakness, some worry it still won't be enough to keep the top horses in the chase. The grueling schedule and the modern emphasis on horse welfare have made trainers more cautious than ever. With Golden Tempo joining a growing list of Derby winners skipping the Preakness, the question remains: Is a three-week gap the answer, or does the Triple Crown need a bigger overhaul?

As the debate continues, one thing is clear—horse racing's most prestigious series is at a crossroads, and the decisions made in the coming months could reshape its future for decades to come.