The Belmont Stakes concluded the 2026 Triple Crown series with a thrilling race at Saratoga Springs, New York. Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, triumphed again, defeating eight competitors, including Commandment and Renegade, who finished second and third, respectively. This victory marked Golden Tempo as the 13th horse to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo’s trainer, made history as the first woman to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner and the second to train a Belmont winner. The Belmont Stakes, traditionally the longest of the Triple Crown races, was shortened to 1 1/4 miles due to the track configuration at Saratoga. The race is expected to return to Belmont Park in 2027 after renovations. Renegade, who had a strong season with wins in the Arkansas Derby and Sam F. Davis Stakes, was the morning-line favorite but ultimately finished third. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode Renegade, was aiming for his third Belmont victory.
QUESTION: How might the achievements of trainers like Cherie DeVaux inspire future generations in the horse racing industry?
Meet the horses that ran in the 2026 Belmont Stakes
