Derby Winner Golden Tempo Tops Horses Planning For Final Belmont At Saratoga
Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo appears set to headline what is shaping up as a deep and intriguing field for the 2026 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, with several familiar names from this year’s Triple Crown trail expected to reappear in the final jewel of the series.
After opting out of the Preakness Stakes to give the colt additional recovery time, trainer Cherie DeVaux has kept the Belmont firmly in focus for the son of Curlin. Golden Tempo stamped himself as one of the more memorable Derby winners in recent years when he rallied from the back of the pack beneath José Ortiz to edge Renegade in the final strides at Churchill Downs. The victory not only delivered Ortiz his first Derby triumph but also made DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.
With no Triple Crown bid on the line following his absence from the Preakness, Golden Tempo is expected to arrive at Saratoga as the horse to beat in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont, which will again be contested at Saratoga while renovations continue at Belmont Park.
Among the likely challengers is Renegade, who nearly wore down Golden Tempo in Louisville before settling for second by a neck. Todd Pletcher’s colt has continued to train forwardly since the Derby and remains one of the most accomplished runners in the division.
Ocelli, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and later returned in the Preakness, is also among the probable starters. Chief Wallabee, Further Ado, Potente, Emerging Market, and Commandment are other sophomores under consideration as horsemen begin to map out final Belmont preparations.
The Belmont field could still see additional movement in the coming days, particularly from horses exiting prep races such as the Peter Pan Stakes. That race traditionally serves as a launching point into the Belmont and once again has helped shape the probable lineup.
One notable absence is expected to be Preakness winner Napoleon Solo. After his victory at Laurel Park, connections indicated the colt is likely to bypass the Belmont rather than take on Golden Tempo in a highly anticipated showdown.
This year’s Belmont will mark the third consecutive running at Saratoga, with the historic race continuing to take on a different complexion at the Spa. The shorter configuration has altered both strategy and pace dynamics compared to the traditional 1 1/2-mile test at Belmont Park, creating a race that has favored tactical positioning as much as stamina.
Even so, Golden Tempo’s devastating late kick makes him a dangerous presence regardless of setup. His Derby performance showed a colt capable of overcoming adversity and traffic while still producing a powerful finishing run, and the extra spacing between races could make him even tougher in early June.
Final entries and post positions are expected to be drawn during Belmont week.
