By Staff
In an era when favorites often dictate the narrative, a 23-1 longshot named Golden Tempo reminded everyone why horse racing still has the power to stop a nation in its tracks. With a dramatic, last-to-first charge in the Kentucky Derby, the son of Curlin didn’t just win America’s most famous race, he captured hearts. Then, after a bold decision to skip the Preakness, he returned to prove his Derby triumph was no fluke by dominating the Belmont Stakes. Now, with a minor health setback behind him, the colt is training toward the Travers Stakes at Saratoga, carrying with him a story of patience, belief, and one trainer’s extraordinary journey.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be remembered for many things, but above all for Golden Tempo’s unforgettable stretch run. Breaking from mid-pack and settling near the back of the field, the colt and jockey Jose Ortiz bided their time as the leaders dueled up front. When the real running began, Golden Tempo unleashed a powerful, ground-devouring kick that carried him past the morning-line favorite Renegade in the final strides. The margin was a neck, but the impression was lasting. In that moment, a horse few outside his connections believed in became a national sensation.
Trainer Cherie DeVaux and the ownership team of Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable had always planned to let the horse tell them what came next. After the Derby, they chose not to rush into the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. Instead, they gave Golden Tempo the gift of time. “We are incredibly appreciative of the excitement and support surrounding the possibility of a Triple Crown run,”
DeVaux said. “Golden gave us the race of a lifetime in the Kentucky Derby, and we believe the best decision for him moving forward is to give him a little more time following such a tremendous effort. His health, happiness and long-term future will always remain our top priority.” That decision reflected both modern racing realities and DeVaux’s deep respect for her horse. The two-week turnaround between the Derby and Preakness has become increasingly difficult for top-class three-year-olds, and Golden Tempo’s connections were unwilling to compromise his well-being for the sake of chasing history. By pointing instead to the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, they aligned the colt’s schedule with both his needs and a track that would soon feel like home.
DeVaux’s own story made the choice even more meaningful. A Saratoga Springs native, she grew up immersed in racing through a harness-racing family. She briefly pursued pre-med studies before returning to the track, channeling her energy and horsemanship into a career that began in earnest as an assistant trainer. Eight years ago she struck out on her own. Her stable quickly earned a reputation for sound, well-prepared horses and thoughtful management. On the first Saturday in May 2026, she became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner—an achievement that resonated far beyond the winner’s circle. She has always been quick to frame her success in simple terms: she is a horse trainer who happens to be a woman, and her results speak for themselves.
The Belmont’s temporary home at Saratoga only deepened the personal significance of the moment. Golden Tempo rewarded that patience and faith. In the Belmont he once again settled off the early pace before delivering a commanding performance, powering clear to win by a length and a quarter. The victory removed any lingering doubt about his class and confirmed that the Derby had been no lucky fluke. It also made DeVaux the second woman to train a Belmont winner, adding another historic line to a résumé that continues to inspire.
With the three-year-old division now firmly in his grasp, the summer calendar pointed toward the Travers Stakes, the “Mid-Summer Derby” on August 29 at Saratoga. Plans initially called for a prep race or two, most likely the Haskell or the Jim Dandy, to keep the colt sharp. Then came a small but important setback. Golden Tempo showed early signs of a lung infection and missed several days of training.
Rather than force him into a race while still recovering, DeVaux and the team made the same kind of measured call they had made after the Derby.
DeVaux explained, “Golden Tempo had the beginning of a lung infection and he had to miss some training. He is doing just fine now and is back on the training track, but it was enough we thought it was best to just train up to the Travers.”
The decision keeps the focus squarely on having Golden Tempo at his best for Saratoga’s signature three-year-old event. Entering the summer with three wins and two thirds from five starts and earnings exceeding $4.6 million, the colt has already far exceeded expectations.
“I followed them closely in the second turn. They started to pick it up, so I did as well. I was just waiting for the right time to go all-in. When I asked him to go, my horse responded” ~ Jose Ortiz
His stretch-running style, combined with Ortiz’s confident handling, has turned him into a fan favorite wherever he goes.
As Saratoga’s summer meeting unfolds, Golden Tempo will carry more than just the hopes of his connections. He represents something larger: the enduring appeal of the longshot who refuses to be overlooked, the trainer who trusts her instincts and her horse, and the quiet power of patience in a sport that often rewards the bold and the patient in equal measure. Whether he adds the Travers to his growing résumé or simply continues to compete at the highest level, Golden Tempo has already etched his name into racing lore.
The image of him after the Belmont—sweat-streaked, victorious, with a brilliant rainbow arching across the Saratoga sky—felt almost too perfect, as if the sport itself were offering a quiet blessing.
For a colt who began as a 23-1 outsider and ended up captivating an entire country, it was a fitting final frame.
Read the article in the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of Rounder Magazine
Lead image: Golden Tempo ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz (2nd L) comes down the home stretch to win the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. Credit: Pat Benic/UPI/Alamy Live News. Trainer Cherie DeVaux celebrates with friends and family in the winners circle at Churchill Downs after her horse Golden Tempo won the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. Credit: John Sommers II/UPI/Alamy Live News. Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose Ortiz, Passes Commandment, John Velazques up, as he wins the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY on June 6, 2026. Credit: Mark Abraham/UPI/Alamy Live News. Jose Ortiz, aboard Golden Tempo, celebrates after winning the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY on June 6, 2026. Credit: Mark Abraham/UPI/Alamy Live News. Golden Tempo leaves the winners circle with a rainbow behind him after winning the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, NY on June 6, 2026. Credit: Mark Abraham/UPI/Alamy Live News.
