Golden Tempo Wins Belmont: Cherie DeVaux Makes History
Golden Tempo Clinches Historic Double at Saratoga
The electric atmosphere at Saratoga Race Course reached a fever pitch as the field of nine entered the home stretch. Facing a track configuration and a pace profile vastly different from his Kentucky Derby victory, Golden Tempo proved he is far more than a one-hit wonder. Under the patient guidance of Jose Ortiz, the son of Curlin draft-tracked the field early on, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As the frontrunners began to tire on the turn, Ortiz guided Golden Tempo to the outside. The colt responded with an explosive burst of speed, eating up the Saratoga dirt and eating into the lead. Commandment, trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, put up a heroic fight along the rail, but Golden Tempo’s sheer momentum carried him across the wire to win by 1 1/4 lengths in a time of 2:03.49. The heavily favored Renegade, who had set the pace for much of the race, finished third.
An Overwhelming Victory After Derby Skepticism
When Golden Tempo sprung a massive 23-1 upset at Churchill Downs on May 2, the racing community was divided. Skeptics pointed to the blistering, near-suicidal early fractions of the Derby, arguing that Golden Tempo had simply inherited the victory by passing exhausted horses. When his connections subsequently made the controversial decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, the skepticism intensified.
This Belmont Stakes victory puts those doubts to rest once and for all. Winning a race with a much more deliberate and tactical pace proved that Golden Tempo possesses the tactical versatility and raw class required of a true champion. “I think he needed to do this to kind of show that he was meant to win the Derby and that he is a horse that belongs in that conversation of being one of the top three-year-olds,” trainer Cherie DeVaux remarked in the emotional aftermath of the race.
Cherie DeVaux Cementing Her Place in Racing Lore
Cherie DeVaux, born in Saratoga Springs and having started her professional training career at this very track, experienced a homecoming like no other. Her journey to the pinnacle of American horse racing is a testament to perseverance, meticulous preparation, and superb horsemanship. In winning the Belmont, she did not just secure a classic trophy; she cemented her status as one of the premier trainers in the sport.
“It’s overwhelming,” DeVaux said, fighting back tears of joy. “All the credit goes to Golden Tempo, who won the race, and Jose did a wonderful job of making it happen. But I’m just so fortunate to be in this position. It’s history-making, and I’ve kind of shied away from it, but I’m really gracious that I am that person.” Her triumph at Saratoga mirrors the path of other iconic women who have broken glass ceilings in their respective fields, such as the fashion and business pioneer Doris Fisher, whose legendary legacy continues to inspire leaders worldwide.
Breaking Barriers: First Woman with Multiple Triple Crown Triumphs
With this win, DeVaux has entered a rarefied stratosphere of horse racing history. By securing both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 2026, she became the first woman ever to train multiple Triple Crown race winners. Her feat comes just three years after Jena Antonucci became the first woman to win the Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo in 2023.
The significance of this milestone cannot be understated in a historically male-dominated industry. DeVaux’s patient approach to training and her refusal to succumb to the immense public pressure of running a tired horse in the Preakness Stakes showcase a modern, welfare-first training philosophy. Her historic success establishes a new blueprint for the sport’s future.
Tactical Masterclass: Jose Ortiz Guides the Closer
Jockey Jose Ortiz delivered a riding performance that will be studied by aspiring jockeys for years to come. Knowing that the pace of the Belmont would not collapse as spectacularly as it did in the Kentucky Derby, Ortiz had to ride a smarter, more tactical race. He kept Golden Tempo relaxed and in rhythm, ensuring the colt did not lose touch with the field on the backstretch.
“He wasn’t going to get that setup as he did in the Derby,” Ortiz admitted after the race. “We all knew that, and I was a little worried about it. He needed some kind of setup. But today, there wasn’t one, and he showed up today and won.” The synergy between horse and rider was evident as Golden Tempo responded to Ortiz’s cues with absolute precision, navigating traffic before launching his winning bid.
Analyzing the Race Pace at Saratoga
Saratoga’s track demanded a unique strategic approach. The 1 1/4-mile distance—shortened from the traditional 1 1/2 miles because of Saratoga’s track dimensions—meant that early positioning was critical. Rather than panicking when the early pace proved moderate, Ortiz trusted Golden Tempo’s natural stride.
By saving ground on the turn and timing his wide run perfectly, Ortiz exploited the tiring frontrunners without wasting precious energy. This calculated gamble paid off handsomely, allowing Golden Tempo to maintain his top speed through the finish line.
Bypassing the Preakness: A Strategy Vindicated
The decision by Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable, and DeVaux to bypass the Preakness Stakes on May 16 was met with significant backlash from traditionalists who lamented the loss of a potential Triple Crown sweep. However, the modern horse racing landscape demands a prioritize-health-first approach, and the extra rest clearly worked in Golden Tempo’s favor.
By giving the colt five weeks of recovery instead of forcing a grueling two-week turnaround, DeVaux ensured she brought a fresh, peak-performing athlete to Saratoga. This strategic decision highlights a broader trend in racing, where trainers favor long-term health over short-term accolades—a theme of calculated risk-taking that also dominates debates in political strategy, such as the planning analyzed in the discussions surrounding Harris’s 2028 ambitions.
Belmont Stakes 2026 Results and Payout Structure
The 158th Belmont Stakes yielded solid payouts for bettors who backed the Derby winner at his generous 6-1 starting odds. Below is the comprehensive finishing order and payout data for the historic event:
| Finish Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Post-Time Odds | Win Payout ($2.00) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Golden Tempo | Jose L. Ortiz | Cherie DeVaux | 6-1 | $14.00 |
| 2nd | Commandment | Tyler Gaffalione | Todd Pletcher | 5-1 | $7.02 (Place) |
| 3rd | Renegade | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd Pletcher | 8-5 (Fav) | $2.52 (Show) |
| 4th | Chief Wallabee | Luis Saez | Mark Casse | 5-1 | — |
| 5th | Emerging Market | Flavien Prat | Chad Brown | 5-1 | — |
According to official data posted by BloodHorse, the $1.00 Exacta (9/7) paid out $55.67, while the $0.50 Trifecta (9/7/4) returned $51.32. The $1.00 Superfecta (9/7/4/3) rewarded winning ticket holders with a handsome $237.98 payout.
Saratoga’s Turn in the Spotlight: A Unique Historic Venue
For the third and final time, the Belmont Stakes was held at the historic Saratoga Race Course while its traditional home, Belmont Park, undergoes a massive multi-million-dollar demolition and reconstruction project. Saratoga, known affectionately as “The Spa,” provided a magical backdrop for this historic afternoon of racing.
The temporary relocation of this classic American race brought a festive, high-society charm to upstate New York, drawing parallels to the glitz of major fashion events like the Met Gala 2026. The historic town celebrated the festival of racing with packed grandstands, cementing Saratoga’s legacy as a premier destination for world-class athletics.
What Lies Ahead for the Dynamic Three-Year-Old Division
With both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes trophies in his stable, Golden Tempo is the undisputed frontrunner for Three-Year-Old Male of the Year honors. His rivalry with Todd Pletcher’s duo of Commandment and Renegade is set to continue through the summer.
The sporting world thrives on such captivating narratives of elite competition, reminding fans of other monumental athletic events, such as the upcoming historic inter-Korean football match, which unites audiences across borders. All eyes now turn to the Travers Stakes later this summer at Saratoga, where Golden Tempo will look to defend his home-track turf and solidify his place among the all-time greats.
