Golden Tempo proved his Kentucky Derby conquest was no fluke, as he came from behind to win the 158th Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Track.
Just as his Kentucky Derby conquest five weeks back, the Jose Ortiz-ridden Golden Tempo spent the early part of the race at the back of the pack, 12 lengths behind early pacer Powershift.
And when they reached the home stretch, Ortiz brought his horse wide and started chomping down on his rivals to move in front with just a few metres to spare.
Golden Tempo checked in at two minutes and 3.49 seconds, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Commandment, ridden by John Velasquez, and 8-5 favorite and Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade finishing third.
Jose’s brother, Irad, rode Renegade just like in Churchill Downs.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Volleyball news: Ukraine beat Germany to secure first-ever VNL win
Cherie DeVaux makes history again
More than a month after training Golden Tempo to a Kentucky Derby victory, trainer Cherie DeVaux made history once again, becoming the first woman to win two Triple Crown races in the same year.
The achievement was sweeter for DeVaux, as she emerged victorious in the area where she was born.
Though she was born in Saratoga Springs and began her training at the racetrack, she spends more time in Kentucky and claims she grew up in southern Florida.
But when the town embraced her like a native – even calling her “the hometown girl – she appreciated the gesture.
“So that’s kind of fun. I’m going to miss our appetizer (at) Saratoga, as we call it, the ‘Bellatoga,'” DeVaux said.
The trainer noted that the experience was overwhelming and deflected the praise to her horse and Ortiz, whom she said performed the work that made the feat possible.
“I’m just so fortunate to be in this position. It’s history-making, and I’ve kind of shied away from it, but I’m really grateful that I am that person,” she added.
The 44-year-old became the second trainer to saddle a Belmont winner after Jena Antonucci won it with Archangelo in 2023.
Golden Tempo also became the third Belmont Stakes winner at Saratoga Race Track.
He will be the last Belmont Stakes champion on the track – for now – as the race is set to return to Belmont Park next year and will be run back to the 1 1/2-mile distance from 1 1/4 miles.
Jose Ortiz won the Belmont Stakes for the second time, nine years after his first aboard Tapwrit in 2017.
READ NEXT: WWE news: Brock Lesnar exacts revenge against rising star Oba Femi
Anna Ferraz 
Lucia Caporalini 
Andre Alfonso R. Gutierrez