Golden Tempo arrives in Saratoga ahead of 2026 Belmont Stakes

Golden Tempo arrived at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track on Monday morning, shipping in from Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. The 3-year-old colt has been based at trainer Cherie DeVaux’s home base since shortly after his victory in the Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

A Historic Quest at Saratoga

DeVaux, a native of Saratoga Springs, is looking to further her place in racing history this weekend. Having already become the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, she now seeks to become the first woman to win two different Triple Crown races.

Currently, only one other woman has saddled a winner in a Triple Crown event: Jena Antonucci, who won the 2023 Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo.

Did You Know? The Belmont Stakes is being contested at Saratoga for the third consecutive year due to a massive multiyear renovation project currently underway at Belmont Park on Long Island.

Strategic Path to the Belmont

In a calculated move, DeVaux and the colt’s owners—Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable—opted to skip the Preakness Stakes. This decision allowed Golden Tempo to train specifically for the Belmont without the fatigue of a second Triple Crown race.

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This strategy mirrors the path taken by last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty. Trainer Bill Mott similarly bypassed the Preakness before Sovereignty achieved a sweep of the Belmont, Jim Dandy, and Travers at Saratoga last summer.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the decision to skip the Preakness is a high-stakes trade-off. By avoiding the second leg, the team is prioritizing peak condition for the Belmont, effectively betting that a fresh horse is more likely to succeed against a diverse field than one that has endured the grueling Triple Crown schedule.

The Competition and Field Outlook

While last year featured a clash between the Derby and Preakness winners, this year will be different. Preakness winner Napoleon Solo will skip the Belmont as trainer Chad Summers prepares the horse for the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth in mid-July.

Despite that absence, Golden Tempo faces a formidable field. Todd Pletcher has entered both Powershift and Renegade—the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby—while Mechanicville native Chad Brown has Ottinho, Growth Equity, and Emerging Market in contention. The field is also expected to include Chief Wallabee, who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby.

Race Schedule and Logistics

Post Positions: Drawn Monday at 5 p.m. At Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs.
Post Time: Saturday at 7:04 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby?

Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby when her horse, Golden Tempo, won the race on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Race Schedule and Logistics — Golden Tempo Saratoga training track

Why is the Belmont Stakes being held in Saratoga?

The race is being held at Saratoga due to a massive multiyear renovation project taking place at Belmont Park on Long Island.

Which horses are expected to challenge Golden Tempo in the Belmont Stakes?

Expected competitors include Renegade, Powershift, Emerging Market, Growth Equity, Ottinho, and Chief Wallabee.

Do you think skipping the Preakness is the best strategy for a Kentucky Derby winner aiming for the Belmont?

Kentucky Derby Workout: Golden Tempo