Golden Tempo won the 158th [1] Belmont Stakes on June 6, 2026 [2], at the Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York [3].
The victory solidifies Golden Tempo as a dominant force in the current racing season. While the win provides a significant financial boost and prestige, it also sparks a debate over the horse's consistency following previous performances in the Triple Crown series.
Golden Tempo crossed the finish line with a winning time of 2:28.0 [4]. The race featured a purse of $1.5 million [5]. Trainer Cherie DeVaux, whose strategy and preparation guided the horse to the finish, celebrated the result.
"I couldn't be more proud of Golden Tempo; this is a dream come true," DeVaux said.
Despite the victory, Golden Tempo did not secure the Triple Crown. Although the horse won the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, another horse won the Preakness Stakes [6]. This gap in the series means the horse fell short of the most prestigious achievement in U.S. horse racing.
DeVaux remained confident in her approach despite outside skepticism. "We did it. The horse gave everything out there and the team pulled together," DeVaux said.
Some critics have questioned the nature of the victory, suggesting the result may have been an anomaly. DeVaux addressed these claims following the race.
"Critics say the win was a fluke, but I stand by my training methods and the horse's talent," DeVaux said.
“"I couldn't be more proud of Golden Tempo; this is a dream come true."”
Golden Tempo's victory at the 158th Belmont Stakes cements the horse's status as an elite competitor, though the failure to win the Preakness prevents a Triple Crown sweep. The result highlights the high-stakes nature of the series, where a single race determines whether a horse enters the history books as a Triple Crown winner or remains a multi-race champion.
