LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Wild and Wicked will skip the Belmont Stakes in order to train for the Ohio Derby.

Wild and Wicked will skip the third leg of the Triple Crown on June 7 and prepare for the $300,000 Ohio Derby on June 21 at Thistledown, trainer Ken McPeek said Saturday.

"More than anything we just decided to be more conservative, take a little more time and not throw him into the ring with the lions,'' McPeek said. "He's a special horse and you're going to hear more about him. But the Ohio Derby is probably better timing and gives us plenty of time to get ready.''

Wild and Wicked, owned by R. David Randal, won his second race at Churchill Downs last week.

McPeek won last year's Belmont with 70-1 long shot Sarava. He will saddle Best Minister, owned by Phillip Racing Partnership, in the Belmont.