Golden Tempo Impresses in Final Tune-Up for the Belmont Stakes
- Turf Diario
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The Kentucky Derby (G1) hero has completed his preparations for a bid at the third jewel of the Triple Crown in Saratoga
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario).- One week away from attempting to prove that his spectacular victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) was no fluke, Golden Tempo (Curlin) completed his preparations for the Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday with a final workout that left his connections fully satisfied.
The Cherie DeVaux trainee, who stunned the racing world on May 2 when rallying from last to capture the roses at Churchill Downs, covered four furlongs in :48.20 over a fast track at the Keeneland Training Center, with José Ortizonce again aboard.
The move came at 7:30 a.m., following the first renovation break, with the son of Curlin working to the inside of stakes-winning 4-year-old So Sandy. He posted fractions of :23.80, :36.00, and :48.20, before galloping out five furlongs in 1:01 and six furlongs in 1:14.80.
It was Golden Tempo’s third and final breeze since his breakthrough Kentucky Derby triumph. Previously, he worked four furlongs in :48.60 on May 15 and five furlongs in 1:00.20 on May 23, moves that convinced DeVaux the colt has maintained his peak condition.
The homebred, campaigned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, is scheduled to ship to Saratoga Race Course on Sunday ahead of the June 6 running of the Belmont Stakes, the third and final jewel of the American Triple Crown.
Golden Tempo’s story has become one of the most compelling of the season.
With just five starts to his credit, he owns three victories and earnings of $3,433,000, a figure fueled largely by his Kentucky Derby success.
His campaign began at Fair Grounds, where he captured the Lecomte Stakes (G3) in January before finishing third in both the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2). Those efforts suggested he was a notch below the division’s elite.
Everything changed at Churchill Downs.
Producing a memorable last-to-first rally, he defeated Renegade (Into Mischief) by a neck, giving DeVaux her first Kentucky Derby victory while further enhancing the reputation of Curlin’s remarkable sire line.
In the Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo is expected to renew acquaintances with several familiar rivals, including Renegade, in a race that could go a long way toward determining leadership of the 3-year-old division.
Post positions will be drawn Monday, officially beginning the countdown toward a challenge that could elevate even further the profile of a colt who, in the span of a single month, has gone from promising prospect to one of the brightest stars in American racing.
