Golden Tempo Wins 158th Belmont Stakes to Complete Historic Kentucky Derby-Belmont Double
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo solidified his status as the premier three-year-old of the 2026 season by capturing the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6, at Saratoga Race Course. Coming from off the pace in a thrilling stretch-long rally, the 6-1 colt held off Commandment to secure a historic victory.1
With the win, trainer Cherie DeVaux carved her name into the history books, becoming the first female trainer to win two Triple Crown races. She is also the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes in three years, following Jena Antonucci's historic 2023 triumph with Arcangelo.
The victory completed a rare Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes double. Just like Sovereignty in 2025, Golden Tempo bypassed the Preakness Stakes in mid-May to rest at Keeneland before returning to dominate the final jewel of the Triple Crown.23 Preakness winner Napoleon Solo skipped the Belmont, leaving the stage set for Golden Tempo to prove his Churchill Downs victory was no fluke.
The Winning Move
Jockey Jose Ortiz navigated a patient race on the fast Saratoga track, tracking rival Renegade before launching a decisive charge. Golden Tempo finished the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:03.49, holding off Commandment by a slim margin, while Derby runner-up and race favorite Renegade finished third. Chief Wallabee rounded out the top four.
This year's race marked the third and final Belmont Stakes held at Saratoga Race Course; the event is scheduled to return to a newly reconstructed Belmont Park in 2027.
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An instance of A champion's campaign is built on the tactical patience of striking late. — Golden Tempo triumphed of elite favorites by pacing behind the leaders and striking decisively in the final stretch. ↩︎
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An instance of Peak championship glory requires withholding superstars from secondary contests. — Golden Tempo was systematically withheld from the middle jewel of the Triple Crown to preserve his physical health and peak for the Belmont Stakes. ↩︎
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An instance of Championship operations must bench superstars to preserve their physical health for ultimate prizes. — The premier colt systematically skipped an intermediate classic race to rest and optimize his physical readiness for peak glory in the Belmont Stakes. ↩︎