Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike won't race at Preakness Stakes

Sonny Leon and Rich Strike won the 148th Kentucky Derby last weekend. Instead of racing at the Preakness Stakes, the second stop of the Triple Crown series, the horse will get some much needed rest before the third race at the Belmont Stakes in New York. (Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)

Rich Strike, the underdog entry who finished first at this year's Kentucky Derby, won't race at the Preakness Stakes in Maryland next weekend, forfeiting his chances of winning the Triple Crown, one of the most coveted titles in horseracing.

After speaking with his team, Rich Strike's owner Rick Dawson said his champion race horse will not run in the Preakness Stakes next Saturday, the second stop of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Instead, the RED TR-Racing team will focus on the series' third stop, the Belmont Stakes in New York, scheduled to take place in June.