Golden Tempo wins 152nd Kentucky Derby as Cherie DeVaux makes history
At 23-1 odds, Golden Tempo entered the 152nd Kentucky Derby as a distant outsider in a field of 18 runners. Yet, as the 1 1/4-mile race reached its climax on Saturday, May 2, 2026, that statistical improbability vanished. Golden Tempo charged from the back of the pack, surging down the stretch to pass the favorite, Renegade, just before the wire.
The victory was a significant event in the history of the sport. When the dust settled, Cherie DeVaux stood as the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby. This achievement marks a milestone for women in Thoroughbred racing, coming in her first opportunity since starting her own stable eight years ago.
A historic first for female trainers
The victory for DeVaux is a rare occurrence in the context of the Triple Crown. According to reporting by the Anchorage Daily News, DeVaux is only the second female trainer to win any of the three Triple Crown races, following Jena Antonucci, who won the Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo in 2023. The disparity in representation is stark: DeVaux is just the 18th woman to ever saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby.
Throughout the week leading up to the race, DeVaux had been cautious about the weight of the moment. However, as the reality of the win set in before a crowd of more than 100,000, her perspective shifted toward the broader implications for the next generation of trainers.
“I’m glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds do,” Cherie DeVaux, Trainer
Following the race, DeVaux spent the afternoon celebrating with Golden Tempo and expressed a sense of disbelief at the result during the post-race festivities.
“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “I just can’t. Just so, so, so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful job, a masterful job of getting him there. He was so far out of it.” Cherie DeVaux, Trainer
Ortiz dominance and the jockey spectrum
Alongside the trainer’s historic win, the ride was executed by Jose L. Ortiz. For Ortiz, the win was the culmination of a persistent effort, marking his first Derby victory in 11 attempts. The triumph was also part of a rare, high-intensity weekend; Ortiz had won the Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies, less than 24 hours before the Derby.
The race also highlighted a familial rivalry at the top of the standings. While Jose L. Ortiz took the win, his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., was aboard the favorite, Renegade, who finished second. A third-place finish went to the long shot Ocelli.
“I get to ride it almost every year, but to get to win it, it’s just special,” Ortiz said. “I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know he’s looking from heaven. Just very happy that I get my goal, my life dream goal achieved.” Jose L. Ortiz, Jockey
The 2026 field represented a wide range of experience levels. As noted by NBC News, the jockey roster spanned from debutants to legends. Mike Smith, 59, entered the race as the elder statesman, attempting his 29th Derby ride with a history of wins in 2005 and 2018. Similarly, 54-year-old John Velazquez made his 27th appearance. This mix of veteran presence and new success highlights the competitive nature of the Derby, where a horse’s performance can lead to unexpected results regardless of a rider’s tenure.
The Preakness outlook and the Triple Crown gap
With the first leg of the Triple Crown secured, the focus now shifts to the Preakness Stakes, scheduled in two weeks. However, a victory in the Derby no longer guarantees a bid for the sweep. According to Yahoo Sports, there has been a noticeable shift in modern training strategies that prioritize the long-term health of the horse over the immediate prestige of the Triple Crown.
Since 2019, four Kentucky Derby winners have opted to skip the Preakness Stakes entirely. This trend was evident as recently as last year, when the winner, Sovereignty, bypassed the Preakness. Trainer Bill Mott cited the horse’s long-term interests in that decision—a move that was eventually validated when Sovereignty won the Belmont Stakes and earned Horse of the Year honors.
The decision by Mott to prioritize the horse’s health has deepened the debate about whether the Triple Crown format needs to change for the modern Thoroughbred. Seven consecutive Derby winners since 2018 have failed to complete the sweep, with four of those horses skipping the second leg entirely.
Whether Golden Tempo’s connections will follow the traditional path or the more conservative strategy employed by trainers like Mott is currently the primary question facing the sport. The decision will determine if Golden Tempo is merely a historic Derby winner or a legitimate contender to end the longest Triple Crown drought in nearly a decade.
What to watch
The next two weeks will be critical for Golden Tempo’s camp as they evaluate the horse’s recovery from the 2:02.27 sprint. Observers should look for official confirmation regarding a Preakness Stakes entry, as well as any indications of how the horse is handling the post-race scrutiny. The racing community will continue to follow the career of Cherie DeVaux as she manages Golden Tempo through the remainder of the season’s high-profile stakes events.