Category: Horse Racing

Belmont Stakes 158th race results: Golden Tempo wins second triple crown race after winning Kentucky Derby

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Jockey Jose Ortiz is fired up after crossing the finish line with Golden Tempo (9) at the 158th Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs NY Sat Jun 6, 2026. It was Golden Tempo’s second triple crown win winning the Kentucky Derby May 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Golden Tempo closed from the back of the pack once again, surging through the stretch Saturday to win the 158th Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course and add a second Triple Crown race victory to an already historic season.

Under jockey Jose Ortiz, the Kentucky Derby winner covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.49 over a fast track, overtaking Commandment in the final furlong to capture the final leg of the Triple Crown. Renegade, the race favorite, finished third.

The victory capped another milestone for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman to win multiple Triple Crown races after guiding Golden Tempo to victories in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. She is the second female trainer to win the Belmont, following Jena Antonucci’s triumph with Arcangelo in 2023.

Golden Tempo broke from the outside post in the nine-horse field and settled at the very rear during the early stages as the leaders set a moderate pace. Ortiz kept the colt relaxed before asking for his run around the far turn. Golden Tempo responded with the same powerful late kick that carried him to victory at Churchill Downs five weeks earlier.

Commandment appeared poised for an upset after taking command entering the stretch, but Golden Tempo steadily reeled him in and drew clear to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Renegade, who went off as the 8-5 betting favorite after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby, could not match the winner’s acceleration and settled for third.

The result further established Golden Tempo as the leading 3-year-old in the country and provided another memorable moment for DeVaux, who was born in Saratoga Springs and celebrated the victory at the historic upstate New York venue.

“He needed to do this to show that he was meant to win the Derby, and that he is a horse that belongs in that conversation of being in the top 3-year-olds,” DeVaux said after the race.

The victory also renewed discussion about the Triple Crown that never materialized. After winning the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness Stakes to rest, ending any possibility of a sweep of the series. Questions about that decision resurfaced immediately after the Belmont.

Asked whether Golden Tempo might have had a chance to complete the Triple Crown had he run in Baltimore, DeVaux declined to look backward.

“We made our decision, and he won today, and we’re going to be happy about that,” said DeVaux. “It’s not something I want to think about.”

Instead, the focus remained on what Golden Tempo accomplished. The colt became the 13th horse to complete the Kentucky Derby-Belmont Stakes double and delivered another signature moment in a season already filled with them.

For DeVaux, the victory added to a groundbreaking year. Following her historic Kentucky Derby triumph, she spoke about the significance of her accomplishments for women in racing, saying, “I’m glad I can be representative of women everywhere. We can do anything we set our minds to.”

Saturday’s Belmont marked the third and final scheduled running of the race at Saratoga before its planned return to a newly renovated Belmont Park in 2027. The historic venue delivered one last memorable Triple Crown event, highlighted by another dramatic rally from a colt who has made a habit of saving his best for last.

Belmont Stakes 2026 Finishing Order:

1. Golden Tempo
2. Commandment
3. Renegade
4. Chief Wallabee
5. Emerging Market
6. Growth Equity
7. Vitruvian Man
8. Ottinho
9. Powershift

Napoleon Solo wins 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park

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Jockey Poco Lopez atop Napoleon Solo in front of the pack at the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park is the winner of the horse race on Sat May 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Napoleon Solo returned to form Saturday evening, surging past the leaders around the far turn and holding off Iron Honor to win the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.

With the race temporarily moved from Pimlico Race Course because of ongoing renovations, the colt trained by Chad Summers handled the unfamiliar stage better than anyone in the 14-horse field. Ridden by Paco Lopez, Napoleon Solo finished the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:58.69 and paid $17.80 to win after going off at better than 7-1 odds.

Napoleon Solo tracked comfortably behind the early pace before Lopez guided him outside entering the stretch. Once clear, the colt steadily pulled away and had enough left to fend off Iron Honor’s late push near the wire.

“We’ve had everything go wrong,” said Summers on the NBC broadcast. “We’ve just kinda stayed the course and stayed the course. We had a lot of critics out there that told us to just shut up and we just kept with it and it worked out today.”

Owner Al Gold praised the trainer.

“He’s the best,” said Gold. “He wanted this. This is his dream. He loves the game. I’m really happy for him.”

Iron Honor finished second, 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner, while Chip Honcho placed third. Early favorite Taj Mahal set a sharp pace through the opening fractions but faded badly in the stretch and finished 10th.

Napoleon Solo entered the race with questions surrounding his recent form after back-to-back fifth-place finishes earlier this spring. The colt showed promise as a 2-year-old, including a victory in the Champagne Stakes, though he failed to carry that momentum into the Kentucky Derby trail. Saturday’s performance marked his first win of the year and the biggest victory yet for Summers, who was making his debut in a Triple Crown race.

The race unfolded without the possibility of a Triple Crown champion after Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo skipped the Preakness to rest for the Belmont Stakes. That decision helped create one of the more open fields in recent years, and bettors spread support across several contenders throughout the week.

Saturday also marked a rare change in scenery for one of horse racing’s most recognizable events. Laurel Park hosted the Preakness for the first time while renovations continue at Pimlico, the race’s longtime home in Baltimore.

Attendance was significantly smaller than a traditional Preakness crowd, with Laurel’s limited capacity creating a quieter atmosphere than the packed grandstands usually associated with the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

The victory immediately places Napoleon Solo among the leading contenders for next month’s Belmont Stakes, though no official decision on his next start has been announced.

The final race of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, takes place on June 6.

Preakness Stakes 2026 running order:

  1. Napoleon Solo
  2. Iron Honor
  3. Chip Honcho
  4. Ocelli
  5. Incredibolt
  6. Bull By The Horns
  7. The Hell We Did
  8. Great White
  9. Robusta
  10. Taj Mahal
  11. Corona De Oro
  12. Talkin
  13. Crupper
  14. Pretty Boy Miah

152nd Kentucky Derby 2026: Golden Tempo comes back from last to win in the final strides

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Jockey Jose L Ortiz celebrates a come from behind win after riding Golden Tempo (19) in the 152nd Kentucky Derby horse race Churchill Downs Sat May 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Golden Tempo rallied from last place to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, surging past the field in the final strides to edge favorite Renegade at Churchill Downs Saturday.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo went off at 23-1 and trailed the field entering the final turn after an unhurried start. A fast early pace, set by multiple front-runners, created the conditions for a late charge.

“There was a lot of speed on paper, and it showed early,” said DeVaux. “When I saw Jose get into position around the final turn, I felt like we had a real chance.”

Ortiz kept Golden Tempo along the rail for much of the race, conserving ground before angling out in the stretch. As the leaders began to tire, Golden Tempo accelerated through traffic and closed rapidly on Renegade, who had taken command at the top of the stretch.

“I knew my horse was a deep closer, so I didn’t want to be involved early,” said Ortiz. “I stayed inside, saved ground, and just waited for a chance late. With that kind of pace, I thought we’d have a shot.”

Golden Tempo drew even with Renegade in the final yards and edged ahead at the wire, winning by a nose. The official time for the mile and a quarter was 2:02.27.

“It’s a dream come true,” Ortiz said after his first Kentucky Derby victory.

Ocelli, a 70-1 longshot, finished third after tracking mid-pack for much of the race.

DeVaux said the closing stages were difficult to fully process as they unfolded.

“I don’t even have any words right now. I just can’t,” she said. “Jose did a masterful job getting him there. He was so far out of it.”

Asked afterward about becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, DeVaux deflected.

“I’m just glad I don’t have to answer that question anymore,” she said.

The upset result led to sizable payouts. Golden Tempo returned $48.24 to win, while Renegade paid $7.14 to place and Ocelli returned $36.34 to show. The $2 exacta paid $278.86.

Focus now shifts to the next race in the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16, where Golden Tempo will try to build on its late-running Derby win against a fresh and potentially reshuffled field.

Kentucky Derby 2026 finishing order:
1st: Golden Tempo
2nd: Renegade
3rd: Ocelli
4th: Silver Comet

157th Belmont Stakes: Sovereignty captures victory over Journalism at Saratoga

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Sovereignty (2) with jockey Junior Alvarado races to the finish line first ahead of Journalism (7) with Jockey Umberto Rispoli, and Baeza (6) with jockey Flavien Prat at the 157th Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs New York on Sat Jun 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The Kentucky Derby champion, Sovereignty, beat the Preakness Stakes winner to claim the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday evening.

Sovereignty won the first and third legs of the Triple Crown, leaving in second place both of those times Journalism, who won the second leg three weeks ago.

After skipping the Preakness Stakes, Sovereignty emerged well rested at the Saratoga Race Course, where the event has been held for the second year in a row.

To start, Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez took the lead with Crudo close behind around the first two turns. Meanwhile Sovereignty and Journalism, who was the pre-race favorite, battled for third.

Journalism surged forward to lead and seemed to be dashing towards victory, when Sovereignty passed him on the right side and overtook him by about two lengths. Sovereignty charged for the finish line and won. Baeza took third place, and the top three spots were a repeat of the Kentucky Derby in early May.

Jockey Junior Alvarado said that the race was “about two great horses, adding that Journalism “didn’t make it easy for my horse”.

“I just think today, he was great today,” Alvarado said of Sovereignty.

Alvarado admitted that winning the Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby was “surreal”, noting that there was a time in his career when he saw the chances for winning just one Triple Crown race seeming to slip.

“I could see everything fading away to be honest, you know, and here I am,” he said.

Sovereignty’s trainer Bill Mott, who faced criticism for withdrawing his horse from the Preakness Stakes and eliminating the possibility of a 2025 Triple Crown winner, said he had no regrets about his decision.

“It turned out good,” said Mott after the race. “If we didn’t win today, we would’ve taken a lot of criticism.”

Sovereignty’s owners took home $1.2 million, Journalism’s $350,000 and Baeza’s $200,000.

While celebrated, Sovereignty’s victory also raises the question of whether he would be the 14th Triple Crown winner in history, if he had been left to run the Preakness Stakes.

Belmont Stakes 2025 final results and odds:

  1. Sovereignty (5-2)
  2. Journalism (2-1)
  3. Baeza (7-2)
  4. Rodriguez (7-1)

150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico: Journalism was the favorite going into Preakness

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Jockey Umberto Rispoli rides Journalism is all fired up as he edges out Jockey Luis Saez riding Gosger in the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

After taking second place in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism charged to the finish line and won the 150th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday evening.

Journalism came down the stretch from behind for a thrilling finish over eight other horses in the second leg of the Triple Crown. The three-year-old colt passed Gosger, who finished as the runner-up a half-length behind. Journalism entered with 8-5 odds and won the $2 million race in 1:55:37, while Sandman took third.

It was jockey Umberto Rispoli’s first victory in a Triple Crown race and he became the first from Italy to achieve the feat.

“I couldn’t sleep for four nights after the Derby. But today, I had faith in my horse. I waited 20 years for a moment like this, and it was worth every second,’ said Rispoli. “I wish everybody over there (in Italy) are proud of me.”

Rispoli fully credited Journalism for the victory.

“I still can’t realize what this horse did,” he said. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and privilege to ride a horse like him.”

Journalism delivered the second Preakness win for his trainer, Michael McCarthy, who last won with Rombauer in 2021.

“A lot of bouncing around there. When I saw that, I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short,” said McCarthy. “But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Journalism’s co-owner, Aron Wellman, called the horse, Rispoli and McCarthy all champions.

Though Journalism came up short in the Derby, he was still the favorite for the Preakness.

The Derby winner, Sovereignty, did not run in the Preakness after his trainer withdrew him due to the two-week turnaround between the races. It marked the fifth time in seven years that there was no chance for a true Triple Crown winner.

However, there will be a possible rematch between Journalism and Sovereignty in the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, which will take place on June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

Preakness Stakes 2025 finishing order:

1. Journalism (EVEN) – 1:55.47

2. Gosger (15-1) – ½ lengths behind

3. Sandman (6-1) – 2¾

4. Goal Oriented (8-1) – 6¾

5. Heart of Honor (20-1) – 8¾

6. River Thames (9-1) – 11½

7. Pay Billy (11-1) – 16½

8. American Promise (9-1) – 18¼

Preakness Pimlico Race Course A Big Come Back For Journalism

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Umberto Rispoli jockeys Journalism (2) to victory at the 150th Preakness Stakes Baltimore (AP News photo)

By Michael Villanueva

On May 17, 2025, at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Journalism won the 150th Preakness Stakes in an exciting demonstration of willpower and planning. Journalism, ridden by Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli and trained by Michael McCarthy, overcame early obstacles to secure the victory in the closing stages, completing the 1 3/16-mile race in 1:55.37.

Journalism started the race in the middle of the pack, where he was bumped and pushed by rivals. However, Journalism stormed ahead and defeated longshot Gosger by half a length as Rispoli maneuvered a tiny gap down the barrier. Sandman completed the top three finishers with third place.

This win was an unforgettable turning point for the jockey and the horse. Rispoli became the first jockey born in Italy to win a Triple Crown race, and it was his first victory overall. In addition to his remarkable career achievements, trainer Michael McCarthy celebrated winning his second Preakness title.

Since Sovereignty, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, chose not to enter the Preakness, there was no chance of a Triple Crown winner this year. Journalism, who had placed second in the Derby, took advantage of the situation and became just the fourth Derby runner-up to win the Preakness since 1961.

Given it being the last race carried out at the legendary Pimlico Race Course before the course’s scheduled $400 million renovation, the 2025 Preakness Stakes also had historical significance. The venue’s rich history in horse racing was honored with heartfelt farewells from pros and fans. It is believed that the newly renovated Pimlico Race Course will be finished by 2027, and the Preakness Stakes and other well-known races will return at the restored course.”

151st Kentucky Derby: Sovereignty wins 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

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Sovereignty ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado crosses the finish line to win the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Sat May 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Sovereignty reigned supreme as the winner of the 151st Kentucky Derby on a muddy and chilly day at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday evening.

The three-year-old colt pulled ahead of Journalism, who was the favorite, in the final stretch of the first leg of the Triple Crown and crossed the finish line in 2:02.31. Journalism started off smoothly but soon fell 10 lengths off the lead, and regained the spot at the head of the pack in the last stretch only to be overtaken by Sovereignty.

Sovereignty, who entered with 7-1 odds, left Journalism in second place, followed by Baeza in third, on the running that had unfavorable conditions with showers all day. It was not raining during the race. Sovereignty netted $17.96 for the victory, $7.50 for place and $5.58 for show.

It was the second victory for trainer Bill Mott, who won in 2019 with Country Horse. The colt came in second but was crowned after Maximum Security was disqualified due to interference.

“This one got there the right way,” Mott said of Sovereignty. “He’s done well; he’s a great horse. He comes from a great organization.”

Mott added that the Derby wins “were both exciting” and “we were thrilled with the last one and this one was equally or more special”.

Jockey Junior Alvarado notched his first win and took home $3.1 million. He and Sovereignty received a standing ovation from spectators in the grandstands.

“It’s more than even a dream come true,” he said. “It means the world to me. My family’s here. I thought I had a great chance. I’m pretty sure they’re way over the moon right now.”

Alvarado praised Sovereignty’s loyalty to him, mentioning that the colt stuck with him even though he was injured for five weeks and could not ride. The injury set Alvarado back three weeks.

Controversial trainer Bob Baffert returned to the Derby after a three-year suspension and had Citizen Bull in the running, but his best chance, Rodriguez, scratched.

The crowd numbered 147,406, which was just short of the record that was set in 2015.

A total of $5 million was shared among the winners.

The next leg of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Here are the top five finishers of the Kentucky Derby 2025:

1. Sovereignty (7-1)

2. Journalism (3-1)

3. Baeza (13-1)

4. Final Gambit (17-1)

5. Owen Almighty (40-1)

Jessica Kwong is covering the Triple Crown Horse races for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

156th Belmont Stakes: Dornoch gets an upset victory; Beats the 17-1 odds

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Dornoch (6) with jockey Luis Saez crosses the finish line ahead of Mindframe (10) to win the 156th annual Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Springs NY on Sat Jun 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

A World Series champion’s colt, Dornoch, pulled off an upset victory in the 156th Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Race Course on Saturday evening.

Co-owned by former MLB All-Star Jayson Werth, Dornoch entered the final leg of the Triple Crown with 17-1 odds.

Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey took an early lead over Dornoch and Mindframe, one of the favorites in the race, heading to the backstretch.

Dornoch broke at a good pace from the gate and was head-to-head with Seize the Grey at the end of the backstretch.

But Seize the Grey could not sustain the pace and Dornoch took the lead, with Mindframe and fellow favorite Sierra Leone making charges that fell short.

Dornoch crossed the finish line by a half length ahead of his competitors.

“I never lost faith in him,” said Dornoch’s jockey Luis Saez, who notched his second Belmont Stakes victory after winning with Essential Quality three years ago.

“When I rode this horse last year here in Saratoga for the first time, I told Danny, ‘You have a Derby winner.’ But unfortunately, you know, the Derby is a crazy race and we drew that No. 1 hole. Today we had pretty good confidence that we could win this race. Thank God we got it.”

It was trainer Danny Gargan’s first Belmont Stakes win, as it was for Werth, who is co-owner of West Paces Racing.

Gargan called Dornoch “one of the top three horses in the country”.

“We’ve always thought it,” he said. “Today we let him run his race and he won. If he gets to run, he’s always gonna be tough to beat.”

With the victory, Werth takes home $2 million.

“I would put it right up there with winning on the biggest stage. Horse racing is the most underrated sport in the world, bar none,” said Werth, who won the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.

“It’s the biggest game: You get the Derby, the Preakness, the Belmont. We just won the Belmont. This is as good as it gets in horse racing. It’s as good as it gets in sports.”

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan posed no threat in the race.

Three different horses won the three races of the Triple Crown this year.

Here is the finishing order for the 156th Belmont Stakes:

1. Dornoch

2. Mindframe

3. Sierra Leone

4. Honor Marie

5. Antiquarian

6. Protective

7. Seize the Grey

8. Mystik Dan

9. The Wine Steward

10. Resilience

Golden Gate Fields is closing for good podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Race track shutting down June 9th

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A look at Golden Gate Fields which opened in 1941 and will close Jun 9, 2024 an East Bay race track and part of the sport’s tradition for decades (file photo San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Golden Gate Fields is closing for good podcast with Augie:

#1 Time has come to it’s end for Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley as the horse track will see it’s last race on June 9th. Attendance has been sparse averaging 2,000 a race at a track that seats over 20,000. What would you say is one of the big reasons for the track’s closing?

#2 The fans who showed up at the track some continued wearing Derby attire where women dressed in summer gowns and fancy hats and the men with their straw hats. That tradition amongst racing fans will be a thing of the past after the 9th of June.

#3 Golden Gate Fields is a part of a long gone history built in 1941 and built at a time when baseball and horse racing were the top sports in America.

#4 The saddest part of the closing of Golden Gate Fields is the employees who will lose their jobs, 500 track workers, jockeys, hotwalkers, exercise riders, grooms, stall muckers, valets, trainer, clerks, security, concession and engineers now all looking for work elsewhere. Some of the track workers might get work someplace like Santa Anita.

#5 Golden Fields was a East Bay institution and now it will be part of history just like the Oakland A’s will be when they leave the East Bay after this season.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI News Radio Honolulu

Preakness: Seize the Grey beats out Mystic Dan for top prize at Preakness

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Jockey Jaime Torres rides Seize the Grey is thrilled to win the Preakness Stakes ahead of second place finisher Mystic Dan who had won the Kentucky Derby in the previous race. (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Seize the Grey held off the Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan to win the 2024 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Sunday.

Mystik Dan and Imagination both had good starts. Mystik Dan made a late push in the quest to win the second Triple Crown but could not overtake Seize the Grey.

Seize the Grey made it a lucky day for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who notched his seventh Preakness win. Lukas now ties Robert Wyndham Walden for second all-time. Lukas, at 88 years old, also became the oldest trainer to win the Triple Crown.

“It never gets old at this level,” said Lukas. “I love the competition. I love to get in here with the rest of them. There were a bunch of good guys in this race. It’s a shame we can’t all win.”

Lukas joked that his Preakness win would prompt some of his colleagues to tell him to quit and consider it a career.

“I think they’re trying to get rid of me,” Lukas said. “I think they want me to retire. That’ll never happen.”

Mystik Dan’s trainer Kenny McPeek was said that his horse couldn’t pull through, but congratulated Lukas.

“Wayne’s a great guy,” said McPeek. “He’s a guy I’ve always idolized. If I’m gonna get beat, it’s fine to get beat by him. In fact, over the years, I’ve been beaten by him plenty of times.”

The top three finishers, with Catching Freedom coming in third, all ran at Churchill Downs a couple weeks ago.

A $2 bet on Seize the Grey paid out $21.60. A $2 exacta bet on Seize the Grey finishing first and Mystik Dan finishing second paid out $119.40. And a $1 trifecta bet with Seize the Grey, Mystik Dan and Catching Freedom paid out $183.70.

Preakness Stakes 2024 finishing order:

1. Seize the Grey

2. Mystik Dan

3. Catching Freedom

4. Tuscan Gold

5. Just Steel

6. Uncle Heavy

7. Imagination

8. Mugatu