Cherie DeVaux made history again this weekend with Golden Tempo, becoming the first female trainer to win two of the Triple Crown races. Golden Tempo delivered another impressive late rally, charging from the back of the field to capturethe Belmont Stakes for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable. The victory further solidified DeVaux's status as one of the sport's rising stars and added another milestone to an already remarkable season.
The Belmont Stakes was not the only major success for St. Elias Stable during the festival. Deterministic, winner of the Manhattan Stakes (G1), also races under the St. Elias banner, giving the ownership group multiple Grade 1 victories onone of racing's biggest weekends. Dream Maker Racing partners have an added reason to celebrate, as St. Elias Stable is also among the ownership of Dormello. Seeing one of the industry's premier ownership groups enjoy success at the highest level is an exciting reminder of the caliber of horsemen involved in our sport.
Dream Maker Racing's trainer, Bill Mott, also enjoyed a successful Belmont Stakes Festival. Mott saddled Pass the Hat to victory in the Grade 3 Poker Stakes and Capitol Hill to second, adding another graded stakes win to his Hall of Fame résumé and his 5th win in the Poker Stakes. Mott continues to demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the most accomplished trainers in modern Thoroughbred racing, with success spanning decades at the sport's highest levels. For Dream Maker Racing partners, it is exciting to see our trainer competing and winning on racing's biggest stages.
The Belmont Stakes Festival once again showcased the strength of New York racing. Throughout the week, fans were treated to a packed schedule of graded stakes races featuring many of the nation's top horses, trainers, jockeys, and owners. The festival atmosphere brought together racing enthusiasts from across the country and highlighted Saratoga Race Course's unique ability to host championship-caliber events.
This was the final year the Belmont Stakes will be contested at Saratoga Race Course while Belmont Park on Long Island undergoes a historic renovation. During its stay at Saratoga, the race was run at 1¼ miles rather than its traditional 1½-mile distance. When Belmont Park reopens, the race will return to its historic distance and once again serve as the longest leg of the Triple Crown. The return of the 1½-mile distance will restore the unique challenge that has tested generations of champions and earned the Belmont Stakes its reputation as the "Test of the Champion."
The redevelopment of Belmont Park represents one of the most significant investments in New York racing history. The project is expected to modernize the facility while preserving the tradition and prestige that have made Belmont Park one of the sport's most iconic venues. Horsemen, owners, and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the return of championship racing to Long Island.
As New York racing looks ahead to the reopening of Belmont Park, excitement is already building for Saratoga's summer meet, which begins July 3 and will feature many of the nation's top horses, trainers, and owners. The meet is expected to provide another summer of world-class racing and memorable performances, continuing Saratoga's long-standing tradition as the centerpiece of the New York racing season.