The Kentucky Derby was no fluke. Five weeks after stunning the racing world with a dramatic rally from the back of the pack to win the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo once again unleashed a powerful late charge, storming from last place to claim the 2026 Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
This time, however, Golden Tempo was no 28-1 outsider. The colt entered the third jewel of the Triple Crown as the 6-1 fourth betting choice and delivered another unforgettable performance, validating his Derby triumph with a convincing 1¼-length victory in the $2 million Belmont Stakes.
The victory was historic on multiple fronts.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux became just the second woman in the past four years to win the Belmont Stakes, joining Jena Antonucci, whose Arcangelo captured the race in 2023. DeVaux also etched her name into the record books as the first female trainer to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo’s success also continued a growing trend among Derby winners. For the second consecutive year, the Kentucky Derby champion bypassed the Preakness Stakes and returned with five weeks of rest before competing in the Belmont. Trainer Bill Mott employed the same strategy in 2025 with Sovereignty, who later earned Eclipse Award honors as champion 3-year-old.
Facing a field of nine and guided by regular jockey Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo settled comfortably at the rear of the field shortly after the gates opened. Unlike his Derby victory, where he trailed by a significant margin, the colt was never more than seven lengths off the pace as he patiently bided his time through the opening six furlongs of the 1¼-mile test.
Early fractions were dictated by Powershift and Growth Equity, who battled on the front end through the opening stages. As those leaders began to weaken approaching the far turn, Chief Wallabee and Renegade surged to the front, appearing poised to settle the race between themselves.
Ortiz, meanwhile, had yet to ask Golden Tempo for his best.
As the field straightened for home, Golden Tempo began his trademark acceleration. Swinging wide and gathering momentum with every stride, he rapidly erased the deficit and swept past the leaders in deep stretch. The colt crossed the finish line in 2:03.49, securing his second Triple Crown race victory and further establishing himself as the leader of the 2026 3-year-old division.
The win improved Golden Tempo’s career record to six starts with four victories, two third-place finishes, and earnings of $4,633,000.
Remarkably, the five horses that competed in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes occupied the first five finishing positions once again, underscoring the quality of this year’s Derby field.
Golden Tempo returned $14.00 on a $2 win wager.
Commandment, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, produced the second-fastest closing kick in the field to rally for second and complete a lucrative $111.34 exacta.
Renegade, who narrowly missed victory in Louisville, once again turned in a strong effort and held third, helping create a $205.28 trifecta.
Just as he had in the Derby, Chief Wallabee finished fourth after battling near the lead throughout the stretch run. Emerging Market, who had crossed the wire tenth in the Derby, rounded out the top five.
While no Triple Crown winner emerged in 2026, Golden Tempo left Saratoga with something nearly as significant confirmation that his Kentucky Derby heroics were no accident. With victories in two of the three Triple Crown races and a devastating closing kick that has become his trademark, Golden Tempo has firmly established himself as one of the brightest stars in American thoroughbred racing.
On a memorable afternoon at Saratoga, the colt once again saved his best for last—and once again, it was more than enough.
