Golden Tempo Wins Belmont, Joins Derby-Belmont Club

Golden Tempo solidified his status as the leading three-year-old in North America with a decisive victory in the 158th Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga Race Course. The win, under jockey Jose Ortiz, made the colt the 13th horse in history to capture both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the second woman to train a Belmont winner, following Jena Antonucci in 2023.

The victory capped a remarkable five-week span that began with a stunning 23-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo entered the Belmont as the 6-1 fourth choice in a nine-horse field but won authoritatively by 1 1/4 lengths over Commandment, with Renegade finishing third. The win confirmed his Derby performance was no fluke and sparked immediate discussion of his championship credentials.

DeVaux’s decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, had drawn criticism from some fans hoping for a Triple Crown contender. She explained that the five-week schedule was a primary factor, stating the horse needed more rest between races. She said the decision, made collectively with the ownership group, was made with the horse’s long-term health...