Of the three Triple Crown races, which also consist of the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby is the second longest. The Preakness Stakes, which takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, is 1 3/16 miles long, while the Belmont Stakes, which is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, is 1½ miles long.

Just a few days after winning the Kentucky Derby, Sovereignty was ruled out of running in the Preakness Stakes. It is the second time in four years the owner and trainer of the Derby champion opted to skip the Preakness in favor of the Belmont Stakes in June.