Thousands in Jockey Sponsorship Money at Stake in Preakness

There won’t be a Triple Crown-winning horse this year, as Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes on Saturday. There could, however, be a Triple Crown-winning human.

That trifecta possibility puts significant history and money on the line.

José Ortiz, the jockey who rode Golden Tempo to a thrilling, come-from-behind Derby victory, will race in the Preakness atop Chip Honcho—one of the favorites at 5-to-1 odds. If Ortiz also rides in the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, as expected, he has a chance to become the only jockey to ever win all three legs of the Triple Crown despite switching horses.

Additionally, a win from 5-to-1 contender Taj Mahal would make trainer Brittany Russell the first ever female trainer to win the Preakness. That would keep another Triple Crown variant alive—the female trainer Triple Crown—after Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to ever win at the Derby.

Those aren’t just interesting fun facts—they could lead to more sponsorship money for the jockeys involved.