Kentucky Derby hero Golden Tempo, Renegade get rematch in Belmont Stakes

Jun 01, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Golden Tempo edged Renegade in the Kentucky Derby (G1) (Photo by Coady Media)

Only a neck separated Golden Tempo and Renegade as they fought out the finish of the Kentucky Derby (G1), and the duo will resume their budding rivalry in Saturday’s $2 million Belmont (G1).

For the third straight year, Saratoga is hosting the third jewel of the Triple Crown while Belmont Park undergoes redevelopment. Because of the change in venue, the Belmont is contested at 1 1/4 miles, the same distance as the Derby, instead of its customary 1 1/2 miles. With the new Belmont Park scheduled to open this fall, the classic will return home in 2027.

The last time that the “Test of the Champion” was held at Belmont Park, in 2023, witnessed history. Arcangelo prevailed, making Jena Antonucci the first woman to train a Belmont winner.

Golden Tempo has made history for Cherie DeVaux, the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. DeVaux would break new ground if she can win two Triple Crown races.

A blueblood son of Curlin, Golden Tempo went off as a 23-1 shot at Churchill Downs. The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable homebred had rallied for third in his final prep in the Louisiana Derby (G2), and he improved in the Run for the Roses to score a thrilling last-to-first victory.

The Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade was among the headliners going into the Derby, after resounding wins in the Sam F. Davis S. and the Arkansas Derby (G1). But his rail draw at Churchill Downs resulted in a rough passage in the opening strides. Although the Into Mischief colt recovered and offered a bold challenge, it’s arguable that the early trouble affected him.

Renegade has been installed as the 2-1 favorite in their Belmont rematch, with Golden Tempo pegged as a 9-2 chance on the morning line.

Two factors can help Renegade turn the tables at Saratoga: the draw and the pace scenario. Renegade projects a smoother trip from post 4. There’s also not as much early speed signed on here as in the Derby, where a pace meltdown boosted Golden Tempo’s deep-closing style. The tactically flexible Renegade isn’t such a hostage to the pace, and stablemate Powershift can ensure they don’t crawl too much up front.

Yet Renegade isn’t the only Derby alum who can benefit from a different set-up in the Belmont. Derby fourth Chief Wallabee, seventh Commandment, and 10th Emerging Market all have claims to fare better.

Chief Wallabee came close to Commandment in his preps at Gulfstream Park, finishing a near-miss second in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and third in the Florida Derby (G1). The Bill Mott pupil added blinkers for the Kentucky Derby, where he closed well for fourth despite trouble down the stretch. With the benefit of that experience, and the prospect of a cleaner trip, Chief Wallabee is listed as the 3-1 second choice in the Belmont.

Commandment thrived with patient handling in his Gulfstream wins, but he was perhaps taken out of his game when ridden more forwardly in the Derby. The Brad Cox colt picks up a new rider in Hall of Famer John Velazquez for the Belmont, and reverting to his former tactics could make all the difference.

Emerging Market likewise found himself too close to the demanding Derby pace. The Chad Brown pupil already owns a win over Golden Tempo in the Louisiana Derby, and a more typical race shape would suit him better.

Brown has a grand total of three entrants, including Growth Equity and Ottinho. Growth Equity captured New York’s traditional stepping stone to the Belmont, the Peter Pan (G3), in his stakes debut. Ottinho, a half-brother to Hall of Famer Gun Runner, was last seen placing a distant second in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.

Rounding out the nine-horse field is Vitruvian Man, the third-placer in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) for Doug O’Neill.

The Belmont is scheduled as the 13th race with a post time of 7:04 p.m. ET, and you can watch and wager at TwinSpires.com.