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Kentucky Derby Winner Country House Won't Run in the Preakness Stakes

There will be no Triple Crown winner in 2019 as Country House now joins Maximum Security in skipping the Preakness

Kentucky Derby winner Country House won't run in the Preakness later this month due to illness, which means there is no chance at a third Triple Crown winner in five years.

Assistant trainer Riley Mott confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Country House, the long shot winner of horse racing's biggest event, is no longer being considered for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. 

Country House "developed a little bit of a cough this morning," the colt's trainer Bill Mott told the Daily Racing Form, which first reported news of Country House's exit from the Preakness Stakes. 

"His appetite is good. He doesn't have a fever. But he's coughing," Mott said. "We drew blood. He's acting like he's going to get sick. He's off the training list, and if he's off the training list, he's off the Preakness list." 

Country House on Saturday became the first champion in the Kentucky Derby's 145-year history to win the "Run for the Roses" due to another horse having been disqualified. 

Maximum Security, the favorite, crossed the finish line first and Country House second. But following a 20-minute review of video from the race, stewards disqualified Maximum Security for impeding other horses.

An appeal of the disqualification was filed on behalf of Maximum Security's owners Gary and Mary West on Monday. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission denied it within hours, saying the stewards' decision was not subject to appeal.

Country House now joins Maximum Security in skipping the Preakness, which takes place in Baltimore on May 18.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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