Competing for your sport's highest achievement shouldn't be a question, but for horse racing's Triple Crown, it's not that simple.

After the announcement Tuesday that the connections of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty have opted to skip the Preakness Stakes on May 17, spoiling any slim chance of a Triple Crown sweep this year, hard questions are being asked about U.S. racing’s centerpiece series.

Mott is a Preakness victory away from taking the career Triple Crown, but the 71-year-old trainer won't have a chance to win it with Sovereignty, opting instead to hold the colt out until the Belmont Stakes.