Cherie DeVaux Wins Second Triple Crown Race at Belmont

A horse racing barrier just shattered for the second time in three months, and this time it came with an exclamation point.

Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to train two Triple Crown race winners Saturday when her horse Golden Tempo captured the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York. The victory came just weeks after DeVaux made history by becoming only the third woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

The win itself was a masterclass in strategy and trust. DeVaux skipped the Preakness Stakes to give her horse extra rest, a decision that raised eyebrows but ultimately paid off in spectacular fashion.

Golden Tempo and jockey José Ortiz delivered exactly the perfect race DeVaux said they would need. Trailing in dead last on the backstretch, a full 12 lengths behind the leader, the horse began his charge halfway through the race.

What happened next thrilled the crowd at Saratoga Springs. Golden Tempo powered from the outside, passing eight horses before overtaking favorite Commandment in a neck-and-neck sprint to the finish. He crossed the line more than a length ahead with a winning time of 2:03.49.

"It's overwhelming," DeVaux told Fox Sports after the race. "All the credit goes to Golden Tempo, who won the race, and José did a wonderful job of making it happen."

Why This Inspires

DeVaux's journey represents more than personal achievement. She joins Jena Antonucci as only the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes, a feat Antonucci accomplished in 2023 with Arcangelo.

But DeVaux's back-to-back Triple Crown victories in a single season mark entirely new territory. In a sport where women make up just 15 percent of trainers, her success opens doors and proves what's possible when talent meets opportunity.

"I've kind of shied away from it, but I'm really gracious that I am that person," DeVaux said about making history.

Her strategic decision to rest Golden Tempo instead of chasing the Triple Crown sweep showed confidence in her instincts over tradition. That calculated risk gave her horse the edge needed for another dramatic finish.

The win caps a remarkable season for DeVaux and Golden Tempo, a partnership built on patience, skill, and the kind of thrilling finishes that remind everyone why they love horse racing.

#