Golden Tempo confirmed at Saratoga what he had already suggested a month earlier at Churchill Downs: he is the standout 3-year-old of this racing season. The Kentucky Derby winner returned to competition after a five-week break and delivered another composed performance to capture the 2026 Belmont Stakes, the final leg of American horse racing’s Triple Crown.
Run for a third consecutive year at Saratoga Race Course, the Belmont unfolded as one of the most competitive editions in recent memory. With no Triple Crown on the line and no horse having competed in all three classics, the race arrived without a dominant storyline. Instead, it offered a field packed with contenders, led by Derby winner Golden Tempo and betting favorite Renegade.
Golden Tempo settled comfortably just behind the early leaders before producing his strongest run when the race entered its decisive stages. Renegade, who had been backed heavily after his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby, remained within striking distance throughout much of the contest but could not match the winner’s finishing kick when the pressure intensified down the stretch.
The victory carried special significance for trainer Cherie DeVaux. A native of Saratoga Springs, DeVaux returned to the city where her racing journey began and watched her stable star deliver one of the most important wins of her career. After guiding Golden Tempo to victory in the Kentucky Derby, she added a second Triple Crown race to her résumé in the same season, further strengthening her standing among the sport’s most respected trainers.
Golden Tempo’s campaign was shaped by a decision that sparked debate throughout the racing community. Rather than run in the Preakness Stakes, his connections chose to give him additional recovery time and focus on the Belmont. The strategy ultimately proved successful. Just as Sovereignty had done a year earlier, Golden Tempo arrived at Saratoga fresh, prepared and ready to deliver his best performance when it mattered most.
Saratoga once again served as the temporary home of a race traditionally associated with Belmont Park. The shorter 1¼-mile distance changed some of the dynamics of the contest, but not its importance within the sport. When the race was over, the lasting image was clear: Golden Tempo crossing the finish line first and cementing his place among the defining horses of the 2026 Triple Crown season.
| Horse | Final Position | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Tempo | 1 | - |
| Commandment | 2 | - |
| Renegade | 3 | - |
| Chief Wallabe | 4 | - |
Golden Tempo’s return adds another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s race. The Kentucky Derby winner has not raced since Churchill Downs and arrives at Saratoga following a five-week break, a strategy that mirrors the path taken by Sovereignty a year ago before winning the Belmont Stakes.
The decision to skip the Preakness generated discussion throughout the racing community, but trainer Cherie DeVaux remained committed to prioritizing the horse’s long-term development. Saturday’s race will provide the first indication of whether that approach pays off.
Renegade, meanwhile, has built his reputation on consistency. His second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby reinforced the belief that he belongs among the elite of this crop, and it explains why oddsmakers have installed him as the horse to beat.
Chief Wallabee, Emerging Market and Commandment also enter the race with legitimate credentials and could play major roles in what appears to be one of the most competitive Belmont fields in recent years.
The post-position draw held on June 1 determined the starting gates for the nine-horse field.
| Post | Horse | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitruvian Man | Antonio Fresu |
| 2 | Powershift | Luis Saez |
| 3 | Chief Wallabee | Junior Alvarado |
| 4 | Renegade | Irad Ortiz Jr. |
| 5 | Ottinho | Dylan Davis |
| 6 | Growth Equity | Manuel Franco |
| 7 | Commandment | John Velazquez |
| 8 | Emerging Market | Flavien Prat |
| 9 | Golden Tempo | José Ortiz |
Renegade enters the race as the morning-line favorite, though the gap between the leading contenders is narrow enough to leave room for surprises.
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Renegade | 2-1 |
| Golden Tempo | 9-2 |
| Commandment | 5-1 |
| Emerging Market | 5-1 |
| Chief Wallabee | 6-1 |
| Powershift | 11-1 |
| Growth Equity | 11-1 |
| Vitruvian Man | 17-1 |
| Ottinho | 19-1 |
Saturday could mark another significant milestone for trainer Cherie DeVaux. After guiding Golden Tempo to victory in the Kentucky Derby, she now has an opportunity to capture a second Triple Crown race in the same season.
In a sport where historic achievements are often measured across decades, another major victory would further cement DeVaux’s emergence as one of the most respected and influential trainers in American racing.
The Belmont Stakes will distribute a total purse of $2 million among the top finishers.
| Finish Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,200,000 |
| 2nd | $360,000 |
| 3rd | $200,000 |
| 4th | $100,000 |
| 5th | $60,000 |
| 6th | $40,000 |
| 7th | $20,000 |
| 8th | $20,000 |
The official winner and full results will be added to this page immediately after the race concludes.
The race is scheduled for 7:04 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 6.
Renegade enters as the betting favorite at 2-1 odds.
Yes. Golden Tempo returns to competition after winning the Kentucky Derby.
Belmont Park remains under renovation, prompting organizers to stage the race at Saratoga Race Course for a third consecutive year.
As Belmont Park continues its transformation, Saratoga once again serves as the temporary home of one of American racing’s most historic events. The distance may be shorter and there is no Triple Crown on the line, but the race remains one of the defining moments of the season.
Golden Tempo seeks to strengthen his Derby-winning legacy. Renegade looks to validate his status as the favorite. Behind them stands a field eager to disrupt expectations on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
As always, the answers will come when the gates open on Saturday evening. This page will be updated with the official results, winning time and complete order of finish as soon as the Belmont Stakes 2026 concludes.
Contenido GEC