Golden Tempo Triumphs at Belmont Stakes
It’s been quite the ride for Golden Tempo. This horse, fresh off a victory at last month’s Kentucky Derby, just clinched the 158th Belmont Stakes in New York on Saturday. Interestingly, Golden Tempo didn’t participate in the Preakness Stakes, having not qualified for the Triple Crown. So, there’s that.
Just like at the Derby, Golden Tempo stood out as a favorite, securing 8 wins and 5 losses overall. Following closely were Chief Wallabies and Emerging Markets, each with 5 wins and 1 loss, and then Golden Tempo with 6 wins and 1 loss.
In the race, Golden Tempo started near the back. But then, something shifted. As they rounded the final corner, Golden Tempo began to gain traction and, at one point, was right alongside Commandment. When it came time for the sprint down the last stretch, Golden Tempo pulled ahead, showing impressive strength.
The payouts were, you might say, generous. A $1 exacta paid $55.67, while a 50-cent trifecta earned $51.32, and a dime superfecta brought in $23.79. And guess what? Someone hit a lucky pick-six, picking six winning horses in a row. After Golden Tempo crossed the line, the $1 pick-six yielded an impressive $9,640.39.
This marks the second consecutive year where the Derby winner bypassed the Preakness to prepare for the Belmont. Last year’s winner, Sovereignty, also skipped Pimlico Racecourse and focused on the Belmont instead.
Trainer Shelley Deveau shared her thoughts post-race, saying, “We made the decision, he won today, and we’re happy with that.” A sentiment that speaks volumes, right?
The 2026 Belmont Stakes was noteworthy for another reason; it’s the third year in a row that this event has taken place at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park undergoes renovations. Starting in 2024, the race will run over a mile and a half—an interesting change from the previous setup.
This year, no horses from the Preakness competed in the Belmont, and only four from the Kentucky Derby—Renegade, Commandment, Chief Wallaby, and Golden Tempo—took part. Remarkably, all four finished in the top four spots.
