Golden Tempo silenced any doubters on Saturday by capturing a thrilling victory in the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Having already secured a stunning win at the Kentucky Derby, the colt proved his elite caliber by taking the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. The victory marks a historic milestone for trainer Cherie DeVaux, a Saratoga Springs native, who became only the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winner and the first female trainer in history to win two different Triple Crown races.

Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo executed a patient, come-from-behind strategy mirroring his Kentucky Derby performance. Positioned at the back of the nine-horse field for much of the 1 1/4-mile race, Golden Tempo began making his move alongside Commandment and race-favorite Renegade as they rounded the final turn. In a dramatic stretch run, Golden Tempo showcased his superior stamina, pulling away from Commandment in the final strides to win by 1 1/4 lengths with a finishing time of 2:03.49. Commandment secured second place, while Renegade finished third.

The top three finishers had all bypassed the Preakness Stakes in May to prioritize rest, a decision that clearly paid off in the grueling final stretch. Owned by Phipps Stable alongside Vincent and Teresa Viola, Golden Tempo entered the race as a 6-1 choice, defying the odds against the heavily favored Renegade. With this victory, Golden Tempo joins an elite group of just 13 horses in racing history to achieve the dual feat of winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes without capturing the Triple Crown.

Key Takeaways

• Golden Tempo won the 158th Belmont Stakes, securing a historic double after his previous victory at the Kentucky Derby.
• Trainer Cherie DeVaux made history as the first female trainer to win two different Triple Crown races.
• Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the colt from last to first, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over runner-up Commandment.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

Golden Tempo’s victory at the Belmont Stakes highlights a shifting trend in modern thoroughbred racing, where skipping the Preakness Stakes to ensure adequate rest is becoming a highly successful strategy for elite horses. By bypassing the second leg of the Triple Crown, Golden Tempo, Commandment, and Renegade were able to deliver peak performances at Saratoga. Furthermore, Cherie DeVaux’s historic achievement breaks long-standing gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport, signaling progress and inspiring a new generation of female trainers. From a betting perspective, Golden Tempo’s 6-1 victory over the heavily favored Renegade underscores the unpredictability and excitement that continues to draw global audiences to major racing events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who trained Golden Tempo, and what historic milestone did they achieve?
A: Golden Tempo was trained by Cherie DeVaux. With this victory, she became the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winner and the first female trainer to win two different Triple Crown races.

Q: Why did Golden Tempo and other top finishers skip the Preakness Stakes?
A: The top three finishers—Golden Tempo, Commandment, and Renegade—skipped the Preakness Stakes to allow for a longer recovery period between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

Q: How many horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes without winning the Triple Crown?
A: Golden Tempo is the 13th horse in history to achieve this specific double, following Sovereignty who accomplished the same feat last year.