Kentucky Derby And Belmont Wins Have Golden Tempo As Top 3-Year-Old

BusinessSportsMoneyKentucky Derby And Belmont Wins Have Golden Tempo As Top 3-Year-OldByDanny Brewer,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Danny Brewer has been covering Thoroughbred/horse racing since 2006.Follow AuthorJun 07, 2026, 09:39pm EDTJun 07, 2026, 09:40pm EDTSARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz up, wins the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes with with Commandment and John Velazquez up finishing second at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Getty Images The thrilling Belmont Stakes win at Saratoga by Golden Tempo has placed the Kentucky Derby champion firmly atop Thoroughbred racing’s most publicized division. The Triple Crown series for three-year-olds garners more attention than other races, but as the sport builds towards the Breeders’ Cup in late October, there will be plenty of action throughout the summer as others look to take a shot at the horse that became the 13th runner to pull off the Derby-Belmont DoubleBelmont Stakes Win Solidifies Golden Tempo As Tops In Division Entering the Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo had plenty of doubters. His dream worst-to-first trip in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1 was thought to be a fluke that could not be duplicated against a smaller field. As a deep closer, trainer Cherie DeVaux’s darling was considered as too pace dependent to pull off another victory in a race that lacked early speed.LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates with the Garland of Roses after winning the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Getty Images Breaking from his outside post, that was said to be an obstacle by some, jockey Jose Ortiz calmly guided his mount over to the rail for another ground-saving trip in this mile and a quarter journey. Chasing much softer early fr...