It was a second Triple Crown race win for the Claiborne-raised Golden Tempo on Saturday when he added the Belmont S. (G1) to his resume.
Last seen winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), the colt trained by Cherie DeVaux broke from the widest gate of all in the 1 ¼ mile race and took up his regular place at the back of the pack.
Jose Ortiz wasn’t worried, letting the Kentucky Derby winner hang out where he was most comfortable before moving him slightly closer as the field moved into the turn. Racing to the inside of Commandment, Golden Tempo was just a few lengths behind the leaders coming into the stretch.
It was a huge battle down the stretch with Golden Tempo battling with Renegade and Commandment early before Renegade dropped back and Commandment was the only rival left. Golden Tempo started to separate himself near the line, winning by 1 ¼ lengths with the third placed horse 5 1/4 lengths behind the winner.
“He’s taken a lot of steps forward, physically and mentally, and it really showed today,” said DeVaux. “Jose found himself at the back of the pack, but he was going to be wide if he didn’t tuck in, which I was pleased with that. Jose just rode him super confidently. He knew he had a lot of horse under him, and at the top of the stretch, he had him in a position to make that run, and Golden Tempo did the rest.”
Racing for breeders Phipps Stables and St. Elias Stables, Golden Tempo is now the winner of four of his six starts with a win in the Lecomte S. (G3) as well as a pair of thirds in the Risen Star S. (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2).
“It’s been a hot minute since we won the Belmont Stakes, [nearly] 40 years, but what my great grandmother, grandfather and father built, Ogden and I, and the Violas, got the rewards from. I mean, he’s a phenomenal horse; he’s got a fantastic pedigree,” said Daisy Phipps Pulito.
The colt’s dam Carrumba still resides at Claiborne after a racing career that saw her win a Grade 3 with seven graded stakes placings including a third in the Ogden Phipps (G1). Carrumba was also raised on the farm as a fifth generation Phipps-bred.
The mare also has a 2-year-old colt by Nyquist and a Liam’s Map yearling filly.
Golden Tempo is just the latest classic winner raised at Claiborne Farm. In all, 11 Kentucky Derby winners have been raised/foaled at Claiborne Farm.