SouthernWorldwide.com – Golden Tempo has achieved a remarkable double, securing victory in the 158th Belmont Stakes held in New York on Saturday.
This triumph follows Golden Tempo’s win in the Kentucky Derby last month. The horse notably sat out the Preakness Stakes, thereby forgoing a chance at the coveted Triple Crown.
Leading up to the race, Renegade was the morningline favorite at 2-1, mirroring the odds from the Derby. Chief Wallabee followed at 3-1, with Golden Tempo positioned at 9-2.
The 158th Belmont Stakes marked the third consecutive year the race was held at Saratoga Race Course in Upstate New York. This temporary relocation is due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park.
Consequently, the race distance was adjusted to 1 ¼ miles, deviating from its traditional mile-and-a-half. Saratoga Race Course is a familiar venue, hosting prestigious races such as the Whitney, Travers, and Jim Dandy Stakes annually.
This year’s Belmont Stakes featured no participants from the Preakness Stakes held three weeks prior. From the Kentucky Derby in early May, only four horses competed: Renegade, Commandment, Chief Wallabee, and the eventual winner, Golden Tempo.
This strategy of the Kentucky Derby winner skipping the Preakness to prepare for the Belmont has now occurred for the second consecutive year. Last year, Sovereignty, after winning the Kentucky Derby, did not race at Pimlico Race Course but went on to win the Belmont Stakes.
“We made our decision, he won today, and we’re happy about that,” stated trainer Cherie DeVaux following the race, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.
