Colt has second of three works here before New York race

Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s homebred Golden Tempo, the Keeneland-based winner of the May 2, $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve, on Saturday turned in his second of three works here in preparation for the $2 million Belmont (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course. With jockey Jose Ortiz aboard for trainer Cherie DeVaux, the colt covered 5 furlongs on a good track in 1:00.20.

The workout originally was planned for Friday but was postponed due to wet track conditions after steady rains in the area.

Breezing in company with stakes-placed 4-year-old So Sandy at 9 a.m. ET — after the second morning renovation period, Golden Tempo produced fractions of :12, :23.40, :35.20, :47.80, 1:00.20 and out three-quarters in 1:13.40 and seven-eighths in 1:27.40.

“Really pleased with his work this morning,” DeVaux said. “Jose was aboard, and from both what he felt and what I saw, Golden Tempo looks to be in good shape to have another big race and take another step forward.

“We’re hoping to breeze back next week with a maintenance work on Friday and then ship to New York on Saturday.” 

The day after his last-to-first performance to win the Kentucky Derby by a neck, Golden Tempo returned to DeVaux’s barn at the Keeneland Training Center — commonly called “Rice Road” after the road that runs from Versailles Road through the west side of Keeneland’s property to Van Meter Road.

Golden Tempo was back on the work tab Friday, May 15 with a time of :48.60 for 4 furlongs. 

Golden Tempo, a son of Curlin, has won three races in five starts and has earned $3,433,000. At the beginning of 2026, he was stabled at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, where he won the Jan. 17 Lecomte (G3) and was third in both the Feb. 14 Risen Star (G2) and the March 21 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).