Derby and Belmont Champion Golden Tempo Points Toward Travers Stakes After Minor Health Scare

After a spring campaign that saw him capture the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, three-year-old colt Golden Tempo is being pointed toward the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29. Trainer Cherie DeVaux has decided to skip major summer prep races, including the upcoming Haskell Stakes and Jim Dandy Stakes, to allow the horse to train directly into the “Mid-Summer Derby.”

Golden Tempo’s rise to the top of the three-year-old class included a 23-1 upset victory at the Kentucky Derby, followed by a dominant performance at the Belmont Stakes. By bypassing the Preakness Stakes and succeeding at Saratoga, DeVaux silenced critics who questioned the Derby result. However, a minor lung infection forced a change in strategy for the summer. The colt has returned to the training track, but the connection team opted to miss scheduled races to ensure full fitness for the Travers.

The racing calendar is now entering a critical stretch for the three-year-old division. With Golden Tempo training up to the Travers, contenders will likely emerge from the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 18 and the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on August 1. Those races will serve as key benchmarks for determining the competition field for the marquee event at the Spa.

Success at this level of racing drives significant engagement for the sport’s operators. Churchill Downs Incorporated, which operates live racing venues and online wagering platforms, benefits from high-handle days featuring star horses. As the Triple Crown winner continues his campaign, the betting and hospitality sectors associated with these events typically see increased activity. Currently, Churchill Downs Incorporated has a market capitalization of approximately $6.05 billion.

What to watch

• Golden Tempo is targeting the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29.
• Key prep races determining the Travers field include the Haskell Stakes (July 18) and the Jim Dandy Stakes (August 1).

Source: original release