(Golden Tempo, with rider Jose Ortiz and trainer Cherrie DeVaux, celebrate the 152nd Kentucky Derby / All Photos by Holly M Smith)

 

From the Churchill Downs Media Team / Darren Rogers:

GOLDEN TEMPO SCORES 23-1 SHOCKER IN 152ND KENTUCKY DERBY; DEVAUX FIRST FEMALE TRAINER TO WIN RUN FOR THE ROSES

 

LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, May 2, 2026) – Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Golden Tempo rallied from far back to pass Renegade in the final yards to win by a neck in the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (GI) presented by Woodford Reserve for 3-year-olds on a brisk Saturday at Churchill Downs before a crowd of 150,415 and make Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner.

DeVaux became the 19th female trainer to start a runner in the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Golden Tempo completed the mile and a quarter on a fast main track in 2:02.27 and made Ortiz the ninth rider to sweep the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year. Brian Hernandez Jr. was the most recent rider to do that in 2024 with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan.

Six Speed set a blistering pace of :22.68 and :46.44 while being hounded by So Happy and Danon Bourbon while Golden Tempo raced far back in last place. The top three remained unchanged through six furlongs in 1:10.90 and Golden Tempo was still last but starting to gather momentum.

On the far turn, Ortiz began to thread his way through horses as was second choice Renegade who also was far back early. At the top of the stretch, Golden Tempo had only five horses beaten.

Up front, Danon Bourbon had put his head in front and by the eighth pole had surged to a 2-length lead. But the closers were coming with Ocelli, the longest shot in the race at 70-1, putting his head in front at the sixteenth pole.

Renegade hit the front 50 yards from the wire only to have Golden Tempo rocket by in the shadow of the wire to claim the roses.

The victory was worth $3.1 million for the Kentucky-bred son of Curlin out of the Bernardini mare Carrumba. Now a two-time graded stakes winner with a record of 5-3-0-2, Golden Tempo increased his earnings to $3,433,000.

Golden Tempo returned $48.24, $19.14, $11.90. Renegade, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. returned $7.14 and $5.46 with Ocelli paying $36.34 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.

Following in order were Chief Wallabee, Danon Bourbon, Incredibolt, Commandment, Wonder Dean (JPN), So Happy, Emerging Market, Further Ado,Potente, Six Speed, Robusta, Albus, Intrepido, Litmus Test and Pavlovian. Great Whitewas scratched at the gate.

TRAINER QUOTES

Cherie DeVaux (Golden Tempo) – “He’s a dead closer and the Louisiana Derby really solidified he was getting there from the eighth pole home. If he had extra ground he was going to make it. We had to have faith in the process, faith in the horse, faith in Jose (Ortiz). That was an incredible experience. I’m so proud of this horse

 

Todd Pletcher (Renegade) – “He got a little roughed and got pushed out of his position. But he kept on going and made his run. He just didn’t get there today.”

 

Whit Beckman (Ocelli) – “As he was coming down the stretch and I saw him with a chance to win – my mind went blank. Then I snapped back in and saw him finish. I’m so proud of him and he showed he belongs with all these good horses.”

 

Bill Mott (Chief Wallabee) – “He got jostled and he got squeezed. But he kept on coming and I’m very proud of his run.”