Golden Tempo, the celebrated winner of the 2026 Kentucky Derby, added another feather to its cap by winning the 158th Belmont Stakes held in New York. This victory comes after the horse’s strategic decision to skip the Preakness Stakes, foregoing a chance at the Triple Crown but ensuring a strong performance at Belmont.

Race Dynamics

Despite not being the morningline favorite, Golden Tempo, with odds of 9-2, managed to outpace competitors Renegade and Chief Wallabee, who opened with 2-1 and 3-1 odds respectively. The race unfolded with Golden Tempo initially trailing but making a decisive move at the final turn, ultimately pulling ahead of Commandment in the final stretch.

This year’s Belmont Stakes was unique as it marked the third consecutive year the race was held at Saratoga Race Course due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park. The change in venue also meant a shorter race distance of 1 ¼ miles, compared to the traditional mile-and-a-half.

Trainer’s Insights

Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo’s trainer, expressed satisfaction with the decision to focus on the Belmont Stakes. “We made our decision, he won today, and we’re happy about that,” DeVaux commented post-race, reflecting on the strategic choice that paid off.

The race did not feature any horses from the Preakness Stakes and included only four from the Kentucky Derby: Renegade, Commandment, Chief Wallabee, and Golden Tempo, all of whom finished in the top four positions.

As the Belmont Stakes returns to its traditional location next year, the racing community looks forward to seeing how these strategic decisions will influence future Triple Crown pursuits.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.