River Thames will bypass Ky. Derby, aim for Preakness

River Thames will bypass Kentucky Derby 2025 and will be pointed instead to the Preakness.

Elliott Walden of co-owner WinStar Farm confirmed a Daily Racing Form report about the decision Tuesday.

He told DRF that part of the reason for the decision was that the Maclean's Music colt already has had four starts this year after going unraced as a 2-year-old. He was third in the Blue Grass (G1) last week.

River Thames is trained by Todd Pletcher, who also trains Grande, no. 16 on the Derby leaderboard.

With the defection of River Thames, who had been at no. 15 on the Derby leaderboard, Built now is eligible for the May 3 run for the roses. Trained by Wayne Catalano, Built is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which also is a co-owner of likely favorite Journalism.

Next on the leaderboard is Neoequos, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., and Render Judgment, trained by Kenny McPeek.