The Kentucky Derby winner proved no fluke on Saturday night. Golden Tempo, the long-shot Derby champion who shocked the horse racing world at Churchill Downs in May, delivered a resounding encore at Saratoga Race Course, winning the 158th Belmont Stakes with a stirring last-to-first rally that left no doubt about his standing among this year's elite three-year-olds.
Sent off at 9-2 odds, Golden Tempo and jockey Jose Ortiz replicated their Derby strategy, settling at the back of the nine-horse field before launching a devastating rally that carried them past the field and under the wire 1 1/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Commandment. The winning time was 2:03.49 for the 1 1/4-mile distance. Morning-line favorite Renegade, who had finished second to Golden Tempo by a neck in the Derby, settled for third.
Golden Tempo Completes the Derby-Belmont Double
With the victory, Golden Tempo became the 13th horse in history to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, etching his name alongside legends of the sport. The son of Curlin out of Carrumba now boasts a record of 4 wins from 6 career starts with earnings exceeding $4.6 million.
Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness Stakes on May 16, allowing him a full five weeks to prepare for the Belmont — a decision that proved instrumental. "He came into this race fresh and ready," said trainer Cherie DeVaux. "We knew he had it in him."
Timeline: How Golden Tempo's Triple Crown Campaign Unfolded
January 2026 — Golden Tempo kicks off his three-year-old season with a victory in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.
February 2026 — The bay colt finishes third in the Risen Star Stakes, also at Fair Grounds.
March 2026 — Golden Tempo runs third in the Louisiana Derby, won by fellow Belmont competitor Emerging Market.
May 2, 2026 — At 23-1 odds, Golden Tempo storms from last to first to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, delivering trainer Cherie DeVaux her historic first Triple Crown win.
May 7, 2026 — DeVaux announces Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont.
June 6, 2026 — Golden Tempo repeats his last-to-first heroics, winning the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in the final running of the race at the historic track.
Why Golden Tempo's Victory Matters: History, Context and Impact
Beyond Golden Tempo's individual achievement, the 2026 Belmont Stakes carried enormous significance for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Born in Saratoga Springs, DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in May. With Saturday's victory, she became the second woman to train a Belmont winner — after Jena Antonucci with Arcangelo in 2023 — and the first female trainer ever to win multiple Triple Crown races.
"This is home for me," said DeVaux, who grew up near the Saratoga track. "To win here, in front of this crowd, with this horse — it's something I'll never forget."
The field was stacked with talent. Renegade, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, entered as the 2-1 morning-line favorite after pushing Golden Tempo to the wire in the Derby. Chief Wallabee, trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado (who won last year's Derby and Belmont with Sovereignty), was the 3-1 second choice. Commandment, trained by Brad Cox (who won the 2021 Belmont with Essential Quality), completed the trifecta.
Where Things Stand Now: Golden Tempo's Legacy
Golden Tempo's Derby-Belmont double places him in rare company. Only 13 horses have accomplished the feat, and the colt joins an exclusive club that includes Triple Crown winners like Justify, American Pharoah, and Secretariat. The victory also validated his Kentucky Derby win, which some critics had dismissed as a fluke given his 23-1 odds.
The 2026 Belmont also marked the end of an era. The race has been held at Saratoga Race Course since 2024 while Belmont Park on Long Island undergoes a massive $455 million redevelopment project. Saturday's running was the final Belmont Stakes scheduled at Saratoga, with NYRA officials expecting the race to return to its historic home at the newly renovated Belmont Park in 2027.
"It's bittersweet," said Saratoga Race Course president David O'Rourke. "We've loved hosting the Belmont, but the new Belmont Park will be something special."
The complete order of finish: 1. Golden Tempo (9-2), 2. Commandment (6-1), 3. Renegade (2-1), 4. Chief Wallabee (3-1), 5. Growth Equity (12-1), 6. Emerging Market (6-1), 7. Powershift (12-1), 8. Ottinho (20-1), 9. Vitruvian Man (30-1).
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Golden Tempo
With the Triple Crown season complete, Golden Tempo's connections will now chart a path forward. The colt could target the Travers Stakes at Saratoga later this summer, or be pointed toward the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November. A start in the Haskell Invitational or the Jim Dandy Stakes are also possibilities.
For DeVaux, her star continues to rise. At just 44 years old, she has already accomplished what few trainers achieve in a lifetime. Joining the Antonucci family as the only women to train Belmont winners, she's positioned herself as one of the sport's most compelling figures heading into the second half of the year.
Key Takeaways: Everything You Need to Know
- Winner: Golden Tempo (9-2 odds), ridden by Jose Ortiz, trained by Cherie DeVaux
- Time: 2:03.49 for 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga Race Course
- Margin: 1 1/4 lengths over Commandment; Renegade third
- History: Golden Tempo is the 13th horse to win both the Derby and Belmont; DeVaux is the first female trainer with multiple Triple Crown victories
- Next stop: The Travers Stakes or Breeders' Cup Classic likely targets for Golden Tempo
- Belmont Park return: The race is expected to return to its renovated Long Island home in 2027
