Golden Tempo Secures Belmont Stakes Victory with Stunning Comeback

After a brief rain, the Belmont Stakes field gathered at Saratoga Race Course, culminating in Golden Tempo’s remarkable triumphant run. The colt, who finished the Kentucky Derby in last place five weeks ago, reversed his fortunes to deliver a memorable performance that saw him capture the $2 million Grade‑1 race.

The victory is notable for several reasons. Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who made history by becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo, has now achieved two wins in Triple Crown events, the most by a female trainer in either race. The colt did not compete in the Preakness, a decision that ended any possibility of a Triple Crown. Golden Tempo’s return to win the Belmont was also the third time in four years a female trainer has won the race, following Jena Antonucci’s triumph with Arcangelo in 2023.

DeVaux said she believes they made the right choice by skipping the Preakness, explaining the colt’s need for rest to maintain his peak form. “It would have been hard to follow that up in two weeks and then three,” she noted.

Golden Tempo is quickly becoming a fan favorite, with high expectations for his future duties at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. His consistent performance at Saratoga has energized the racing community.

Jockey José Ortiz, who raced Smartly in the Derby, used a familiar strategy: starting near the back, maintaining a measured pace, then sprinting wide down the stretch to take the lead in the final quarter. Ortiz praised his confidence in riding the colt, remarking, “He knew he had a lot of power under him, and at the top of the stretch, he was in the right position to make that run.”

The 1¼‑mile race was completed in 2:03.49. Golden Tempo returned $14 on a $2 win bet, and his record improved to 6-4-0-2 with earnings of $4.6 million.

Two additional highlights: a vibrant rainbow appeared over the track as the race concluded, and the field’s composition included five Kentucky Derby participants, none from the Preakness, and four newcomers. The Derby group finished 1-5: Golden Tempo, Commandment, Renegade, Chief Wallabee, and Emerging Market. Growth Equity finished sixth, with Vitruvian Man, Otthino, and Powershift following.

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