Kentucky Derby Winner Golden Tempo Receives Belmont Stakes Update After Skipping Preakness

Golden Tempo is officially back in the Triple Crown spotlight. After stunning the racing world with a Kentucky Derby win in early May, the Derby champion skipped the Preakness Stakes because of injury concerns, leaving fans waiting to see when he would return.

Now, Golden Tempo is set for the Belmont Stakes, and he has received his starting position for the big race. With Jose Ortiz expected to ride him again, all eyes will be on whether the Derby winner can pick up right where he left off.

The news was confirmed by the official Kentucky Derby page on Instagram saying, "Golden Tempo has drawn post 9 for Saturday's Belmont Stakes and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz."

Golden Tempo has drawn post 9 for Saturday's Belmont Stakes and will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) June 1, 2026

Golden Tempo's Belmont Stakes return gives this weekend's race one of its biggest storylines.

The decision to skip the Preakness Stakes ended any chance of a Triple Crown, but it may have put him in a better position for the final leg.

Now he is back, and the setup is interesting. The Belmont Stakes is being run at Saratoga Race Course because of renovations at Belmont Park, which means the race will not have the same traditional feel. The shorter distance makes it closer to a Derby-style test, and that could affect how trainers and jockeys approach the race.

Golden Tempo will start from post No. 9, with Jose Ortiz riding again. He is listed at 9-2, behind Renegade at 2-1 and Chief Wallabee at 3-1.

The challenge is simple: can he produce another big finish without the same crowded Derby setup? His Kentucky Derby win came from a late rally, but this field is smaller, so the pace and positioning could be very different.

Still, Golden Tempo has been consistent throughout his career and has never finished outside the top three. A Belmont victory would not give him the Triple Crown, but it would prove his Derby win was no fluke.

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 12:34 AM.