The 2026 Belmont Stakes delivered another chapter of thoroughbred history on Saturday night as Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to claim the 158th running of the "Test of the Champion" at Saratoga Race Course. The Kentucky Derby winner replicated his signature last-to-first move, defeating a nine-horse field in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown to secure his place among racing's elite.
With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo powered down the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Commandment, stopping the clock at 2:03.49 for the 1 1/4-mile distance. The victory made Golden Tempo the 13th horse in history to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, and secured trainer Cherie DeVaux's place in the record books once more.
How Golden Tempo Stamped His Legacy on the Triple Crown
Sent off at 6-1 final odds after a 9-2 morning line, Golden Tempo broke cleanly from post position No. 9 but was content to settle at the back of the field as Powershift and Ottinho battled for the early lead through fractions of 23.96 for the quarter-mile and 48.29 for the half. The bay colt by Curlin was 12 lengths off the lead at one point, a familiar position for a horse who had pulled off the same tactics in Louisville five weeks earlier.
As the field rounded the far turn, Ortiz asked Golden Tempo for run and the response was immediate. The colt circled the field four-wide and collared the favorite Renegade, who had set the pace, before drawing clear. Commandment, ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, mounted a challenge but could not match Golden Tempo's acceleration. Renegade, the 2-1 morning-line favorite trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., held on for third, 5 1/4 lengths back.
"He's a very special horse," said Ortiz, who now has two Belmont Stakes victories to his name. "He's been trained and brought along right. He showed his class again tonight."
Timeline: Golden Tempo's Journey to the Belmont Stakes
Golden Tempo's path to the Belmont Stakes began long before the gates opened at Saratoga. Here's a look at the key moments that led the colt to glory:
- January 2026 — Golden Tempo wins the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, setting the stage for his Triple Crown campaign.
- February 2026 — Finishes third in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
- March 2026 — Takes third in the Louisiana Derby, won by fellow Belmont contender Emerging Market.
- May 2, 2026 — Wins the Kentucky Derby at 23-1 odds with a dramatic last-to-first surge, making Cherie DeVaux the first female trainer to win the Run for the Roses.
- May 16, 2026 — Connections opt to bypass the Preakness Stakes, giving Golden Tempo extra time to recover and prepare for the Belmont.
- June 1, 2026 — Draws post position No. 9 in the nine-horse Belmont field, installed as the 9-2 third choice behind Renegade (2-1) and Chief Wallabee (3-1).
- June 6, 2026 — Golden Tempo wins the 158th Belmont Stakes in 2:03.49, becoming the 13th horse to win both the Derby and the Belmont.
Cherie DeVaux's Impact: A Historic Season for Women Trainers
Cherie DeVaux, who grew up in Saratoga Springs, etched her name in the sport's history books once again. After becoming the first woman to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner in May, she joined Jena Antonucci as one of only two female trainers to win the Belmont Stakes. Antonucci won with Arcangelo in 2023.
"It's incredible to come back to Saratoga, where I grew up, and win this race," DeVaux said post-race. "Golden Tempo is a horse of a lifetime. He deserves all the credit."
Owned by Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola, who also owns the NHL's Florida Panthers), Golden Tempo has now earned over $4.6 million in his career with a record of 4-0-2 from six starts.
Where the Belmont Stakes Stands: The End of a Saratoga Era
The 2026 Belmont Stakes marked the third and final time the race was held at Saratoga Race Course. Due to a major redevelopment project at Belmont Park, the race has called Saratoga home since 2024. New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that this year's running was the last at the historic Saratoga Springs track.
The shortened 1 1/4-mile distance — a departure from the traditional 1 1/2 miles — was necessitated by Saratoga's smaller main track configuration. The race's post time was moved up three minutes to 7:01 p.m. ET due to impending weather, and a rainbow appeared over the stretch after a brief downpour, creating a memorable visual backdrop for the historic race.
Belmont Park, undergoing a $455 million transformation, is scheduled to reopen in the fall of 2026. The Belmont Stakes will return to its Long Island home in 2027, with pre-sales already underway.
What's Next: The Road Ahead for Golden Tempo
With two Triple Crown jewels secured, speculation has already turned to Golden Tempo's next campaign. While no official announcement has been made from the Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable connections, the colt could target summer and fall races such as the Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August or the Breeders' Cup Classic later in the year.
"We'll see how he comes out of this race and then make plans," DeVaux said. "He's given us everything, and we want to do right by him."
Golden Tempo's victory also reignited the debate over the Triple Crown format. By skipping the Preakness and winning both the Derby and Belmont, he followed a similar path to horses like Big Brown (2008) and California Chrome (2014) before him — horses who won two jewels but could not complete the sweep due to the grueling five-week Triple Crown schedule.
Key Takeaways from the 2026 Belmont Stakes
- Winner: Golden Tempo (6-1 final odds), ridden by Jose Ortiz, trained by Cherie DeVaux, owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
- Winning Time: 2:03.49 for 1 1/4 miles on a fast track
- Order of Finish: Golden Tempo, Commandment, Renegade, Chief Wallabee, Emerging Market, Growth Equity, Vitruvian Man, Ottinho, Powershift
- Payout: Golden Tempo paid $14.00 to win, $7.32 to place, $3.88 to show
- Historical Note: Golden Tempo became the 13th horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes
- Venue Note: Third and final Belmont Stakes at Saratoga; race returns to Belmont Park in 2027
