Is Golden Tempo the Real Deal? Inside the Rise of 2026’s Unlikely Triple Crown Threat
From overlooked longshot to history-making champion, Golden Tempo has silenced every doubter with two classic victories that have reshaped the conversation around one of the most exciting three-year-olds in recent memory.
Entering the 2026 Kentucky Derby as a 23-1 longshot, Golden Tempo faced heavy skepticism. He had two third-place finishes in key preps, a deep-closing style many experts believed couldn’t win America’s biggest race, and the weight of his sire Curlin’s frustrating Derby record. Starting from the back of the massive 18-horse field, the colt unleashed a powerful late surge to storm home and give trainer Cherie DeVaux a historic milestone — the first female trainer to saddle a Kentucky Derby winner.
Critics were quick to dismiss the win as a fluke born from a brutally fast early pace that collapsed the leaders. But Golden Tempo’s connections had other plans. Skipping the Preakness to avoid the grueling Triple Crown grind, they targeted the Belmont Stakes five weeks later at Saratoga. Once again, the big bay delivered a breathtaking closing kick, powering to victory and proving his Derby triumph was no accident.
Bred by the prestigious Phipps Stable as a homebred son of Curlin out of the stamina influence Carumba, Golden Tempo blends classic bloodlines with elite late acceleration. Trainer Cherie DeVaux’s patient approach — allowing him to settle early and unleash in the stretch — has been key to his success under jockey Jose Ortiz.
With his longest stride in the field and untapped potential, Golden Tempo is now a major player heading into the rest of the 2026 season, including possible Breeders’ Cup ambitions. He’s more than just a feel-good story — he’s a legitimate elite talent rewriting expectations in American Thoroughbred racing.
