Golden Tempo captured the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse on June 6, 2026, completing a historic weekend for trainer Cherie DeVaux [1, 2, 3]. The Curlin colt, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, executed a last-to-first strategy to win the race, which was shortened to 2000 meters from the traditional 2400 meters due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park [1, 2, 3, 4].

DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby earlier this year when Golden Tempo took the May 2 Derby at 2000 meters, the same distance contested again in the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga [1, 2, 3, 4]. The decision to skip the Preakness Stakes on May 16, won by Napoleon Solo, was made by DeVaux and the horse’s owners to allow Golden Tempo to recover from a "tremendous effort" in the Derby [1, 2, 3].

The Belmont field featured nine horses including Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade, who had finished just a neck behind Golden Tempo in May[s4–s12]. Trainer Chad Brown entered three runners: Growth Equity, Ottinho, and Emerging Market. Todd Pletcher’s Powershift likely set the early pace [5, 6, 7, 8].

Golden Tempo settled in last place early as the pace ran slower than in the Derby. Ortiz timed his charge perfectly, and Golden Tempo accelerated through the stretch for the victory [1, 2, 3, 4]. "It’s all about him. We just want him to get better and keep winning these kind of races," Ortiz said [1]. DeVaux praised both horse and jockey: "Golden Tempo is amazing. Jose is amazing. The town gets to have this and celebrate it along with all of us," she said [1].

DeVaux added the win confirmed Golden Tempo’s status among the top three-year-olds. "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," she said [1].

The Belmont Stakes purse was $2 million (S$2.58 million) [1, 2, 3]. Golden Tempo has now earned $3,433,000 in five career starts with three wins and two thirds, improving his Beyer Speed Figures each start, peaking at 95 in the Derby [4]. Earlier on race day, the post time was moved up due to an approaching storm, with rain beginning as the horses assembled [1, 2, 3].

Golden Tempo’s next start has not been announced.