Golden Tempo and Englishman Shine at Keeneland and Head into the Breeders' Cup in Peak Form

Cherie DeVaux's two standout contenders delivered in their Friday breezes. The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakeswinner covered 800 meters in 48.40, while the sprinter posted a blistering 47.20, the fastest time among 85 horses.Brilliant Berti also sparkled

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Cherie DeVaux has plenty of reasons to feel enthusiastic looking ahead to the Breeders' Cup. Two of her main stars, Golden Tempo and Englishman, turned in excellent breezes on Friday morning over the main track at Keeneland, confirming that they enter their respective commitments next weekend in peak condition.

The former will seek to add the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) to his classic triumphs in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Belmont Stakes (G1), while Englishman will attempt to confirm his standing as one of America's elite sprinters in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).

The morning got off to an early start for the DeVaux team. Around 5:30 a.m., Englishman covered 800 meters in 47.20, posting the bullet work among 85 horses breezing the distance.

Sired by Maxfield, the colt was guided by his regular exercise rider, Ameth Gonzalez, and once again displayed the effortless turn of foot that has made him one of the standout revelations of the season.

"It was a very typical work for him. He went the first quarter in 25 seconds and finished up with tremendous strength.He did it all without being asked for much," DeVaux explained.

The trainer acknowledged that the primary challenge with Englishman is not encouraging him to run, but rather keeping him from doing too much.

"If we let him decide, he'd want to go as fast as he does in his races. He has extraordinary natural talent. We're just trying to keep him happy, healthy, and in good physical shape," she added.

Owned by Lee Searing's C R K Stable, Englishman won his 2-year-old debut by 7 1/4 lengths and resurfaced this season with a 7 1/2-length victory.

His sole defeat came when finishing second to Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2). He subsequently responded with two dominant G1 victories: the Woody Stephens Stakes, by 5 3/4 lengths, and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes, by 3 3/4 lengths.

With those credentials, he figures to be a central figure in the Sprint.

Golden Tempo, Getting Stronger

A couple of hours later, at approximately 7:30 a.m., it was Golden Tempo's turn, covering the 800 meters in 48.40 with jockey José Ortiz in the saddle.

The son of Curlin, bred and owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, worked alongside Commentate, a son of Candy Ride who broke his maiden on October 3 right here at Keeneland.

DeVaux described the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes hero as "ultra-focused" and praised his physical development since his triumph at Churchill Downs.

"He's improved immensely physically. He looks much stronger, both in his body and mentally. He continues to progress all the time," she commented.

The trainer also noted that the colt continued his upward curve even in defeat.

"In the Travers, he couldn't get the win, but he still improved his speed figures," she noted.

Golden Tempo comes off a third-place finish behind Leading Change (Gun Runner) and Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) in the Travers Stakes (G1), where he earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure, topping the 95 he posted in the Kentucky Derby and the 98 in the Belmont Stakes.

The possibility of a rematch with Napoleon Solo remains open, although the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner is also pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

"The serious work is behind us. Now we're just maintaining them and making sure everything is in order. We couldn't be more pleased," summarized DeVaux.

Brilliant Berti Delivers as Well

The stable's morning activity was completed by Brilliant Berti, a contender for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) on the turf.

The 5-year-old son of Noble Mission, bred and owned by Klein Racing, covered 800 meters in 48.20 shortly after 7:30 a.m.

Brilliant Berti brings an extensive record of 20 starts, having finished in the top three on 12 occasions.

In 2025, he captured the Wise Dan Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs before finishing third in the Turf Mile Stakes(G1) at Keeneland.

This season, he won the Green River Island Stakes (L) at Ellis Park, though he has secured just one purse-earning finish across six group starts.

"He put in a maintenance work and looks fantastic. He's accomplished many good things over his career, though he's still seeking that signature triumph. He has the ability to run a big race," assured DeVaux.

With Golden Tempo in the Classic, Englishman in the Sprint, and Brilliant Berti in the Mile, the trainer faces three top-level challenges at Keeneland.

And judging by Friday's breezes, her main standard-bearers are responding exactly as expected with just one week to go before the big event.