Golden Tempo arrived at Saratoga Race Course with something to prove. While his Kentucky Derby victory had already secured his place among the best horses of the 2026 crop, questions remained about whether he could deliver another elite performance against a field determined to stop him. By the end of Saturday’s 158th Belmont Stakes, those doubts had disappeared.
The bay colt surged through the stretch under jockey Jose Ortiz to win the Belmont Stakes, holding off Commandment and leaving favorite Renegade in third. The victory made Golden Tempo just the 13th horse in history to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, a rare accomplishment that places him alongside some of the sport’s most celebrated names.
Unlike many recent Belmont winners, Golden Tempo entered the race after a lengthy break. His connections elected to skip the Preakness Stakes following his Kentucky Derby triumph, a move that sparked debate throughout the Triple Crown season. As attention shifted to the 2026 Preakness Stakes, Golden Tempo remained on a separate path, focusing solely on Saratoga. The decision ultimately paid off with another Grade 1 victory and a stronger claim as the leading 3-year-old horse in the country.
Golden Tempo started at 6-1 odds and rewarded supporters with a $14 payout on a winning ticket. He completed the 1ÂĽ-mile race in 2:03.49, showing that his Kentucky Derby success was not dependent on a specific race setup. The Belmont developed at a slower pace than the Derby, forcing Golden Tempo to adapt rather than rely on the same closing scenario that worked at Churchill Downs.
Ortiz later admitted he had concerns about how the race might unfold. The jockey knew the pace would likely be more controlled, potentially making life difficult for a horse that does some of his best work late. Instead, Golden Tempo displayed another dimension to his game, staying within striking distance before producing a decisive move in the stretch.
The victory also represented another landmark achievement for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Earlier this year, she became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner. By adding the Belmont Stakes to her resume, she became the first woman to win multiple Triple Crown races and only the second female trainer to win the Belmont, following Jena Antonucci’s success in 2023.
For DeVaux, the triumph carried special meaning. Born in Saratoga Springs, she launched her training career at the same track where she now celebrated one of the biggest victories of her professional life. The emotional connection between trainer and venue added another memorable layer to an already historic day.
Commandment’s runner-up finish reinforced the quality he had shown throughout the season. The colt entered the Belmont after notable victories in the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth Stakes and pushed the winner all the way to the wire. Renegade, meanwhile, arrived as the morning-line favorite after strong performances in major prep races and his second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby, but he could not match Golden Tempo’s finishing kick.
The 2026 Belmont Stakes also marked the final year of the race’s temporary stay at Saratoga. With Belmont Park undergoing a major redevelopment project, the race has been held upstate since 2024. Officials expect the event to return to its traditional home next year, making Golden Tempo’s victory the closing chapter of a unique era in Belmont history.
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As the Triple Crown season comes to an end, Golden Tempo’s record speaks for itself. A Kentucky Derby winner, a Belmont Stakes champion and now a member of one of racing’s most exclusive clubs, he has transformed from a promising contender into one of the defining stars of American horse racing in 2026.
Readers seeking official race records, historical results and future Belmont Stakes updates can visit the New York Racing Association.
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