Golden Tempo Ready for Travers Stakes

Season Highlights and Historic Wins

Golden Tempo burst onto the racing scene by capturing both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes earlier this year, cementing his place among the top three‑year‑olds. The colt, ridden by Jose Ortiz, secured the Derby at 23‑to‑1 odds with a dramatic stretch drive that still mesmerizes fans when replayed. His trainer, Cherie DeVaux, made history by becoming the first woman to condition a Kentucky Derby champion. Golden Tempo finished his season with three victories and two third‑place finishes in five starts, earning more than $4.6 million in prize money.

Training Adjustments Ahead of Saratoga

A brief lung infection sidelined Golden Tempo for a few weeks, prompting DeVaux to shift his preparation toward a single target. Rather than chasing additional prep races, the team decided to keep the colt on a steady training regimen leading up to the Travers Stakes on August 29 at Saratoga. DeVaux noted that the colt is now back on the track and feeling fine after the health hiccup. The focus for the trainer is simply to have Golden Tempo ready to repeat his dominant performance on race day.

Road to Travers: Key Prep Options

Other three‑year‑old colts will look to challenge Golden Tempo when the Spa’s marquee event arrives, but the colt’s current form leaves little doubt about his readiness. The Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 18 and the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on August 1 are both major stepping stones for competitors eyeing the Travers. DeVaux’s camp has not worried about the opposition, preferring to concentrate on ensuring Golden Tempo is at his peak for the summer showcase. The Travers, as the oldest stakes race for three‑year‑olds in the United States, carries significant weight in the sport’s calendar.

Iconic Moment Captured

Fans can relive the excitement of Golden Tempo’s Belmont Stakes triumph through this historic photograph, taken at Saratoga Springs in June 2026. The image preserves the moment when Jose Ortiz celebrated a victory that made Golden Tempo a household name in thoroughbred racing.

Looking ahead, a successful run in the Travers would likely cement Golden Tempo’s status as one of the elite three‑year‑olds of the 2026 cohort and reinforce DeVaux’s reputation as a trainer who can develop champions under pressure. The colt’s combination of speed, stamina, and a proven fighting spirit makes him a favorite for August’s premier three‑year‑old contest. If he can repeat the commanding stretch drive that defined his earlier victories, the Saratoga field may never see a more dominant performance.