Video above: News and weather for Sunday, June 7, 2026 The year 2026 will be one to remember for Vincent Viola.Viola, the chairman and owner of the Florida Panthers, was successful in another sporting venture as the horse he co-owns, Golden Tempo, won the 158th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.Golden Tempo, which had 6-1 odds to win the race, rallied from the back of the nine-horse field in the backstretch to win the final race of the Triple Crown.According to the New York Racing Association, Golden Tempo’s victory earned its owners the winning share of $1.2 million.Golden Tempo, who had 23-1 odds to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, rallied from the back of the 18-horse field to win the first race of the Triple Crown on May 2.Golden Tempo’s owners and trainer decided to not race the horse at the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, the second race of the Triple Crown, on May 16 in Laurel, Maryland.The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 NewsAccording to the Associated Press, Viola dedicated the Belmont Stakes win to his late friend Dominic DiPrisco, who died Wednesday at age 70. Viola prayed to DiPrisco Saturday morning, hoping for an extra push in the Belmont Stakes.“I know you’re in heaven, and I love you, and this race is for you,” Viola said. “It means more than I can express in words right now.”Viola owns St. Elias Stable.Golden Tempo’s victory at the Belmont Stakes is the first for Viola as he won the 2017 Kentucky Derby as the owner of Always Dreaming.Golden Tempo is also owned by Daisy Phipps Pulito of Phipps Stable.Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie DeVaux, becomes the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winning horse as Jena Antonucci trained 2023 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo.DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner with Golden Tempo’s victory last month.Golden Tempo’s jockey, Jose Ortiz, rode the 3-year-old horse in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. —
Video above: News and weather for Sunday, June 7, 2026
The year 2026 will be one to remember for Vincent Viola.
Viola, the chairman and owner of the Florida Panthers, was successful in another sporting venture as the horse he co-owns, Golden Tempo, won the 158th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Golden Tempo, which had 6-1 odds to win the race, rallied from the back of the nine-horse field in the backstretch to win the final race of the Triple Crown.
According to the New York Racing Association, Golden Tempo’s victory earned its owners the winning share of $1.2 million.
Getty ImagesAl Bello
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK – JUNE 06: Jockey Jose Ortiz, trainer Cherie DeVaux, and part owner Vincent Viola, and part owner Daisy Phipps celebrates Golden Tempo winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Golden Tempo, who had 23-1 odds to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, rallied from the back of the 18-horse field to win the first race of the Triple Crown on May 2.
Golden Tempo’s owners and trainer decided to not race the horse at the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park, the second race of the Triple Crown, on May 16 in Laurel, Maryland.
The latest: Sports coverage from WPBF 25 News
Getty ImagesAl Bello
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK – JUNE 06: Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz up, wins the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes with with Commandment and John Velazquez up finishing second at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
According to the Associated Press, Viola dedicated the Belmont Stakes win to his late friend Dominic DiPrisco, who died Wednesday at age 70. Viola prayed to DiPrisco Saturday morning, hoping for an extra push in the Belmont Stakes.
“I know you’re in heaven, and I love you, and this race is for you,” Viola said. “It means more than I can express in words right now.”
Viola owns St. Elias Stable.
Golden Tempo’s victory at the Belmont Stakes is the first for Viola as he won the 2017 Kentucky Derby as the owner of Always Dreaming.
Golden Tempo is also owned by Daisy Phipps Pulito of Phipps Stable.
Get the latest sports updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie DeVaux, becomes the second woman to train a Belmont Stakes winning horse as Jena Antonucci trained 2023 Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo.
Getty ImagesAl Bello
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK – JUNE 04: Golden Tempo is handled by his trainer Cherie DeVaux prior to the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 04, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner with Golden Tempo’s victory last month.
Getty ImagesAl Bello
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK – JUNE 06: Jose Ortiz atop Golden Tempo celebrates winning the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Golden Tempo’s jockey, Jose Ortiz, rode the 3-year-old horse in the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.