LOUISVILLE, KY – MAY 2: Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz, left, wins the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 2, 2026. (Skip Dickstein/Albany Times Union via Getty Images)
Albany Times Union via Getty Images
Ahead of the August 1 start of the Saratoga Jim Dandy Stakes, attention turns to a notable absence: Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion who captured the Derby on May 2 with jockey Jose Ortiz. After developing pneumonia in late June while training at his native Saratoga under record‑breaking trainer Cherie DeVaux, the horse missed only ten days of preparation before being withdrawn from the race.
The ramifications extend beyond the loss of a single competitor. Midsummer marks a pivotal period in U.S. racing, as stakeholders fine‑tune their pathways toward the Breeders’ Cup. The “eastern” series of preparatory races typically includes the Haskell at Monmouth, the Jim Dandy, and the Travers at Saratoga.
Below is the confirmed entry list for the 2026 Jim Dandy Stakes.
1. Chip Honcho – Steve Asmussen – Jose Ortiz
2. Asked and Answered – Antonio Arriaga – Jaime Rodriguez
3. Renegade – Todd Pletcher – Irad Ortiz Jr.
4. Silent Tactic – Mark Casse – Luis Saez
5. Commandment – Brad Cox – Flavien Prat
(Source: New York Racing Association, 7/29/2026)
It is clear that the inclusion of the Florida, Arkansas, and Ohio Derby winners—Commandment, Renegade, and Chip Honcho—in this key Travers prep adds depth to the field, featuring two Triple Crown place‑finishers and a former Triple Crown contender. While Golden Tempo will not compete in the Saturday event, his absence does not diminish his Travers prospects; rather, it underscores the competitive landscape by removing a direct rival to Renegade, the Derby’s strong place‑runner, and Commandment, his Belmont counterpart.
Beyond Triple Crown excitement, these rematches serve strategic purposes for trainers and owners shaping Breeders’ Cup campaigns. A rematch offers a clear snapshot of a horse’s current form relative to its rivals, acting as a precise barometer of readiness.
This race marks the fourth encounter between Renegade and Commandment, a pairing that promises added complexity.