Golden Tempo horse, trainer, jockey for 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic

Golden Tempo, a three-year-old bay horse bred in Kentucky, is set to compete in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic on October 31 at Keeneland. The post-position draw for the prestigious event is scheduled for Monday, October 26, while the race begins at 6:16 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. The horse will enter the race following a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Travers on August 29 at Saratoga.

Golden Tempo is owned by Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) and St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), and trained by Cherie DeVaux. In his seven starts, he boasts a 4-0-3 record with career earnings of $4,783,000. At Keeneland, Golden Tempo has only made its first appearance. Prior to this, the horse did not participate in any Breeders' Cup races.

DeVaux aims to become the second female trainer to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, following Kathy Ritvo's victory with Mucho Macho Man in 2013. Golden Tempo will also strive to become the fifth horse to win the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year, joining Authentic (2020), American Pharoah (2015), Unbridled (1990) and Sunday Silence (1989).

DeVaux believes Golden Tempo can maintain his momentum, citing his consistent performance and speed figures despite defeat in the Travers. She emphasizes that the horse has not regressed in speed and is on a trajectory to continue improving. Jason Frakes can be reached at (502) 582-4046 or jfrakes@courier-journal.com.