Golden Tempo claims Triple Crown at Saratoga as DeVaux makes history
Trainer Cherie DeVaux becomes the first woman to win multiple Triple Crown races as Golden Tempo holds off Commandment and favourite Renegade at the 158th Belmont Stakes.
Golden Tempo has secured the third leg of the Triple Crown, winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday. The victory comes five weeks after the horse claimed the Kentucky Derby, cementing a dominant start to the three-year-old racing season.
Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz and trained by Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo finished first at odds of 6-1. The horse held off second-place finisher Commandment and third-place favourite Renegade to complete the series. The win marks a significant milestone for DeVaux, who becomes the first woman to win multiple Triple Crown races, following her historic Kentucky Derby triumph.
The race was contested over 1 1/4 miles, with Golden Tempo completing the course in a time of 2:03.49. Although the pace was notably slower than that of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, the horse managed to close strongly in the final stretch. Ortiz noted that the lack of a specific pace setup was a concern prior to the race, but the horse responded effectively to the conditions.
This event marks the third and final time the Belmont Stakes has been hosted at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. The traditional home of the race, Belmont Park, is currently undergoing demolition and rebuilding. The event is scheduled to return to its original venue next year.
DeVaux, who was born in Saratoga Springs, described the victory as meaningful for the local community. She became the second female trainer to win the Belmont in four years, following Jena Antonucci’s victory with Arcangelo in 2023. The payouts for the winner were $14 to win, $7.32 to place, and $3.88 to show.
