- Golden Tempo tops NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll
- Kentucky Derby winner notched 29 first-place votes
- Commandment up to second after Belmont Stakes run
Derby hero Golden Tempo has strengthened his place at the top of the American three-year-old division after taking every first-place vote in the final NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll following his Belmont Stakes success.
Golden Tempo sweeps final three-year-old poll after Belmont Stakes win
Golden Tempo has turned a Triple Crown breakthrough into a clean sweep of the final NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll, underlining how firmly his Belmont Stakes win has shifted the American three-year-old picture.
The Cherie DeVaux-trained colt received all 29 first-place votes in the final poll, finishing on 290 points.
That left him clear of Commandment in second (214 points), who moved up from 6th after his Belmont Stakes silver.
With the Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade dropped back to third (205 points), having been second before the Belmont Stakes.
The Belmont settled the on-track argument at Saratoga, and the final poll shows how strongly that performance has landed with voters.
NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll
- 1 Golden Tempo (Colt) – 290
- 2 Commandment (Colt) – 214
- 3 Renegade (Colt) – 205
- 4 Englishman (Colt) – 202
- 5 Napoleon Solo (Colt) – 186
- 6 Further Ado (Colt) – 93
- 7 Stark Contrast (Colt) – 92
- 8 Crude Velocity (Colt) – 78
- 9 Chief Wallabee (Colt) – 77
- 10 Counting Stars (Filly) – 37
Biggest Movers This Week
Englishman jumped from 13th to 4th after his Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes victory at Saratoga.
Further Ado climbed from 11th to 6th following his Matt Winn Stakes success at Churchill Downs.
Commandment surged from 6th to 2nd after finishing runner-up in the Belmont Stakes.
Counting Stars was the week’s biggest riser, vaulting from 28th to 10th after winning the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes.
No. 1 Horse: Golden Tempo
Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo was a unanimous choice at the top of the poll, receiving all 29 first-place votes.
The Cherie DeVaux-trained colt heads into the summer campaign as the clear leader of the three-year-old division, with the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on August 1 expected to be his next start.
WATCH: Golden Tempo Winning The Kentucky Derby
Poll confirms post-Belmont pecking order
Golden Tempo had already been building a persuasive case before the Belmont, but his Grade 1 success at Saratoga gave the campaign a defining race.
On Tuesday the NYRA Belmont Stakes report recorded Golden Tempo winning the 1 1/4-mile race under Jose Ortiz for trainer Cherie DeVaux, with the performance giving his stable a first Belmont Stakes victory.
That remains the key form line behind the poll outcome.
The NTRA update placed Golden Tempo on top with a perfect first-place haul, while Pretty Boy Miah and Napoleon Solo held the next two positions after their Classic wins earlier in the spring.
WATCH: Golden Tempo Winning The Belmont Stakes
What’s Next for Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes Winner Golden Tempo?
After landing two of America’s biggest races—the Kentucky Derby on May 2 and the Belmont Stakes on June 6- Golden Tempo has established himself as the leading three-year-old colt in the United States.
Connections skipped the Preakness Stakes to give him extra recovery time, a decision that paid off with his second Triple Crown victory.
While trainer Cherie DeVaux has yet to officially confirm Golden Tempo’s next target, several major summer races look the most likely destinations.
Jim Dandy Stakes (July 25, 2026)
The Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is often used as a prep race for the Travers Stakes. Given that Golden Tempo has already enjoyed success at Saratoga, this appears a logical next step if connections want to give him a run before his late-summer target. The race is contested over 1 1/8 miles and has historically attracted the season’s top three-year-olds.
Travers Stakes (August 29, 2026)
The Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga is widely viewed as the most likely major target. Known as the “Midsummer Derby,” the Travers is America’s most prestigious race for three-year-olds outside of the Triple Crown events.
Reports emerging after the Belmont have already linked Golden Tempo with a potential Jim Dandy-Travers campaign, which would be a traditional route for a horse of his profile.
Haskell Stakes (July 18, 2026)
Another option is the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. The race often features Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes contenders and offers a lucrative purse. Should connections decide against running twice before autumn, the Haskell could serve as Golden Tempo’s sole midsummer outing before bigger targets later in the year.
Pennsylvania Derby (September 19, 2026)
If Golden Tempo bypasses either the Haskell or Travers, the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing could come into consideration. The race regularly attracts leading three-year-olds and sits nicely on the calendar before the Breeders’ Cup.
Breeders’ Cup Classic (November 7, 2026)
Looking further ahead, the ultimate objective could be the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. Victory there would cement Golden Tempo’s claim to the Eclipse Award as champion three-year-old and potentially Horse of the Year.
Having already won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, a Breeders’ Cup triumph would cap one of the most memorable seasons in recent racing history.
Possible Golden Tempo Next Races
- Jim Dandy Stakes July 25, 2026 Possible prep
- Haskell Stakes July 18, 2026 Possible alternative
- Travers Stakes August 29, 2026 Most likely major target
- Pennsylvania Derby September 19, 2026 Possible autumn target
- Breeders’ Cup Classic November 7, 2026 End-of-season goal
At this stage, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga appears the most logical next big target, especially given Golden Tempo’s Belmont success at the track and the traditional path followed by many elite three-year-olds.
