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 Double
Belmont 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.
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 fractions (23.96 opening quarter, 48.29 half mile) than he did in the Kentucky Derby, this son of Curlin was at the back, but much closer to the leaders in this nine-horse field. Rolling through traffic into the far turn the pace up front was not factor for a horse and jockey that moved as one. Unleashing his powerful closing kick down the lane, the Tempo turned out to be quite Golden as he flexed to the finish a length and a quarter ahead of a hard-trying Commandment. Cherie Devaux became the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes (Jena Antonucci 2023 Arcangelo) as she guided Golden Tempo to his third win in five starts this year and fourth victory in six career outings.
The Belmont Stakes score proved Golden Tempo is anything but a one-hit wonder that needs special circumstances to win. Crossing the finish at odds of 6-1, the Derby champ was a somewhat disrespected fourth choice by the speculating public. After that powerful performance, it is a safe bet this Thoroughbred will not be going off at odds of 23-1 or perhaps even 6-1 ever again. Heading into the Summer races for three-year-olds, Golden Tempo is proven as best in the division right now.
Summer Races For Three-Year-Olds Run Across The Country
The Triple Crown series is the most publicized, but the races restricted to three-year-olds are quite numerous as the summer unfolds. The biggest and most prestigious target for three-year-old horses is the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29. Carrying a purse of $1.25 million, the “Mid-Summer Derby” is the oldest Stakes race for three-year-olds in the United States as it was first run in 1864.
There are many races run prior to the Travers as “prep” events. The Haskell, the Jim Dandy and the “Dirt Road” Derbies (Ohio, Indiana, Iowa) come before and the Pennsylvania Derby is run after and carries a $1 million purse. These are just a sampling and as the summer unfolds there are plenty of races restricted to just three-year-olds and some of these horses will make the jump to open Stakes company races and take on older runners. The bottom line here is, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes are in the books, but there are plenty of races ahead to decide who is best in the three-year old division.
Who Can Challenge Golden Tempo For Three-Year-Old Honors
In winning both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo has placed himself firmly on the throne, for now. Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Another Brad Cox trainee, Further Ado, also looked good in winning the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs the day after the Belmont. Pat Day Mile winner Crude Velocity, trained by Bob Baffert, could be a challenger as he targets the Haskell after a second-place finish in the Woody Stephens Stakes on Belmont Day. Renegade, the Kentucky Derby runner-up and Belmont Stakes third place finisher is also one to be reckoned with.
The biggest challenger for superiority in the division may be a horse that has yet to race at three. Juvenile champion and unbeaten Ted Noffey had to be taken off the Triple Crown trail in February due to injury. On the mend and back in trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, this very impressive son of Into Mischief has three grade 1 wins in four starts and should be racing at Saratoga with eyes on the Travers.
