Golden Tempo, a remarkable racehorse trained by Cherie DeVaux, has captured the 158th Belmont Stakes, securing a significant victory in the Triple Crown series just five weeks after its triumph at the Kentucky Derby. The race took place at the Saratoga Race Course, where Golden Tempo, with jockey Jose Ortiz, showcased its prowess by charging down the stretch to win at odds of 6-1. Commandment finished second, while the favorite, Renegade, came in third.
Historic Achievement for Trainer Cherie DeVaux
Cherie DeVaux, who hails from Saratoga Springs, has made history by becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner and the first to win multiple Triple Crown races. Her success at the Belmont Stakes follows in the footsteps of Jena Antonucci, who won the race in 2023 with Arcangelo. DeVaux expressed her pride in Golden Tempo’s performance, stating, “Golden Tempo is amazing. Jose is amazing. 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 of being one of the top 3-year-olds.”
The Belmont Stakes, traditionally held at Belmont Park, took place at Saratoga for the third and final time due to renovations at its usual venue. The race is expected to return to its original location next year. DeVaux reflected on the significance of the event being held in Saratoga, saying, “It’s so meaningful. A lot of family here. Saratoga, it’s been wonderful to have such a historic race here. … It’s so meaningful because the town gets to have this and celebrate it along with us.”
Race Details and Payouts
The pace of the Belmont Stakes was notably slower than that of the Kentucky Derby, yet Golden Tempo managed to close the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:03.49, proving its dominance among the field of nine horses. Jockey Jose Ortiz acknowledged the challenge, noting, “He wasn’t going to get that setup as he did in the Derby. We all knew that, and I was a little worried about it. He needed some kind of setup. But today, there wasn’t one and he showed up today and won.”
Golden Tempo paid $14 to win, $7.32 to place, and $3.88 to show. Commandment paid $7.02 to show and $4.08 to place, while Renegade, the runner-up in the Derby, paid $2.52 to place.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
