Presenting the 2026 Triple Crown Prospect Profiles – now updated following the initial leg of the Triple Crown from its previous designation as Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles – where each week we will examine a recent victor along the Triple Crown journey.
The subject of this week’s feature is, naturally, Golden Tempo, who secured a neck victory in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2 at Churchill Downs. His triumph marked Cherie DeVaux as the first female trainer in history to win the Kentucky Derby.
Competitive Record: My assessment of Golden Tempo from January 20, after he extended his perfect record to 2-for-2 with a win in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 17, concluded: “Considering his lineage, top-tier connections, and flawless record after two starts, Golden Tempo shows potential as a serious Kentucky Derby contender, though he must demonstrate significantly greater speed to continue succeeding as the competition intensifies.”
I also noted then that a racehorse’s development seldom follows a direct path, and Golden Tempo subsequently delivered somewhat underwhelming third-place finishes in both the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes and the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. This illustrates that a 3-year-old thoroughbred is still mastering its craft while undergoing physical and mental maturation.
One consistent trait Golden Tempo always exhibited was an impressive closing speed. In the Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo blazed through the final furlong in :12.37 and covered his last three-eighths of a mile in :37.19, a finishing burst that proved crucial in the Kentucky Derby.
Golden Tempo surged from the back of the field to the lead, overcoming being compelled to run 10 or more paths wide as he entered the Derby stretch, powered by a dominant final quarter-mile in :24.52 and a concluding eighth of a mile in :12.08. Both represent remarkable closing fractions for a 3-year-old in a 1 ¼-mile race.
“I recognized my horse was a deep finisher, so I had no ambition to be in front early,” stated winning jockey Jose Ortiz, who has ridden Golden Tempo in all five of his races. “You can observe how I broke, heading to the rail to conserve ground. So, I executed that strategy and anticipated a strong late drive. I was hoping for a brisk pace, and I’m pleased we had it.”
Golden Tempo has achieved three victories in five starts and demonstrates high consistency, having placed among the top three in every race to date.
Performance Metrics: The primary critique against Golden Tempo has been – and will likely persist – that he doesn’t achieve the same speed figures as the premier 3-year-olds. His peak Equibase Speed Figure before the Derby was 95, and his highest Beyer Speed Figure was 88, both considered subpar for the caliber of the field. Golden Tempo registered a 100 Equibase Speed Figure for his Derby triumph and a 95 Beyer Speed Figure. The latter was the lowest winning Beyer mark for a Derby champion in the past decade, with only Rich Strike’s 97 winning Equibase Speed Figure in 2022 being slower since 1992. I’ve always believed that deep closers face a disadvantage in accumulating consistently high speed figures because their performance is so contingent on the pace. This is also why, in recent years, my Derby analysis has increasingly focused on how contenders complete their final three-eighths, quarter-mile, and eighth of a mile. I apply this methodology, alongside pace shape, when evaluating turf races. From a closing speed perspective, Golden Tempo is indeed quite swift.
Running Style: Golden Tempo’s racing strategy has been detailed previously; he is a profound closer who executes a sustained late surge over the last half-mile to three-eighths of a mile. This approach relies on other competitors to set a robust pace, which Golden Tempo capitalized on in the Derby. This style also frequently leads to encountering traffic and navigating wide trips, the latter of which he successfully overcame on Saturday at Churchill.
Considering the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets as potential subsequent races for Golden Tempo, it is challenging to forecast if closers might be at a disadvantage. Pimlico historically favored horses with tactical speed in the Preakness, but Laurel Park will host the race for the first time in 2026 while the new Pimlico is under construction. Saratoga Race Course will stage the Belmont Stakes for the third consecutive year; the two prior editions were claimed by horses running just off the pace (Dornoch, 2024) and from a stalking position (Sovereignty, 2025).
Lineage Information: Golden Tempo’s pedigree showcases an excellent blend of class and endurance. He is sired by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, a potent source of stamina, and out of Carrumba, a Grade 3 winner at 1 1/8 miles by 2006 Preakness victor Bernardini. He was bred with the expectation of becoming a two-turn champion and fulfilled that promise beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill on American racing’s grandest stage.
Preakness-Belmont Stakes Prospects: For a deep closer like Golden Tempo to achieve the Triple Crown, it would necessitate considerable racing fortune in three consecutive races. He would require a rapid (or at least solid) pace in all three classic events and to avoid any interference after initiating his rally.
I anticipate that most handicappers will likely view him as a horse to wager against in his next outing. Nevertheless, regardless of whether his next start is the Preakness or Belmont, I believe it would be unwise to dismiss him entirely. He will undoubtedly be accelerating powerfully and passing rivals in the stretch, and Golden Tempo should, at minimum, be a crucial inclusion for any exacta or trifecta wager. Trainer DeVaux will ensure this gifted 3-year-old is prepared for wherever he competes next, and he is expected to be charging down the stretch with a legitimate chance at triumph… assuming he possesses sufficient speed.
