Golden Tempo closes last-to-first to win Belmont
Golden Tempo wins the Belmont (G1) at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
After rallying boldly to upset the Kentucky Derby (G1), Golden Tempo delivered another stirring finishing kick in the final leg of the 2026 Triple Crown, rallying last-to-first to win Saturday’s $2 million Belmont (G1) at Saratoga.
Golden Tempo outfinished Commandment and drove clear late, scoring by about 1 1/2 lengths under showery conditions. The fast-closing son of Curlin is trained by Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby, and Golden Tempo paid $14 to win the Belmont.
GOLDEN TEMPO! THE KENTUCKY DERBY WINNER IS THE BELMONT STAKES WINNER TOO! pic.twitter.com/tRfUWOoHaa
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 6, 2026
He was overlooked at 23-1 odds in the Kentucky Derby, and Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness (G1), training up to the Belmont off a five-week freshening. None of the Preakness runners contested the Belmont.
Jose Ortiz deftly saved ground in the nine-horse field while trailing during the opening stages and swung out wide for the stretch drive. Golden Tempo completed 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.49.
Commandment easily held second, bouncing back from a seventh in the Kentucky Derby. Renegade, bet down to 8-5 favoritism after a neck second in the Kentucky Derby, wound up a non-threatening third. Chief Wallabee came next in fourth.
Golden Tempo is owned by Daisy Phipps Pulito’s Phipps Stable and Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable. Winner of the Lecomte (G3) the second time out in his stakes debut, the Kentucky-bred bay colt recorded thirds in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds before winning the Kentucky Derby.
He’s now earned more than $5.6 million from a 6-4-0-2 record.
