Golden Tempo, a 23-1 long shot, surged to victory in the 152nd Kentucky Derby, etching trainer Cherie DeVaux into the annals of racing history. DeVaux, who started her own stable in 2018, has become the first female trainer to win the prestigious "Run for the Roses." The race saw jockey Jose Ortiz masterfully guide Golden Tempo past a competitive field, including his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the co-favorite Renegade.
DeVaux's groundbreaking win challenges the established order, showcasing a narrative of perseverance and skill in a sport historically dominated by men.
The win was not without its drama. The field was reduced to 18 horses after Great White was a late scratch. The horse reportedly flipped and dislodged its jockey during the pre-race preparations, leading veterinarians to remove it from the race. This incident, coupled with Silent Tactic being previously ruled out due to a foot injury, underscored the inherent unpredictability and inherent risks within the sport.
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Golden Tempo, owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, had not raced for six weeks prior to the Derby, last competing on March 21. The horse had previously secured victories in a maiden race and the Lecomte Stakes earlier in the winter at the Fair Grounds. DeVaux, a 44-year-old with a background that initially led her toward medicine before returning to racing, expressed her elation and her desire to be a symbol for women in sport.
"I'm glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds do," DeVaux stated.
The triumphant jockey, Jose Ortiz, was praised for his "wonderful job, a masterful job" in securing the win. He also secured a victory the previous night in the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner. The dramatic finish saw Golden Tempo coming from well off the pace, positioning itself to the outside of Renegade, with Ocelli, a 70-1 longshot, making a bid up the rail. Ocelli finished third, securing a $500,000 purse, while Renegade took home $1 million.
Read More: Golden Tempo Wins 152nd Kentucky Derby; Trainer Cherie DeVaux Makes History
The Kentucky Derby, held under partly cloudy skies with post-time temperatures around 54 degrees, saw an official attendance of 150,415. The track conditions were described as dry and fast. DeVaux acknowledged that Golden Tempo's condition would be the deciding factor in whether to pursue the Triple Crown, referencing Jena Antonucci's 2023 Belmont Stakes victory with Arcangelo, which marked the first Triple Crown race win by a female trainer.
A Different Path to History
DeVaux’s journey to the Derby winner's circle is marked by a pivot from an initial pursuit of a medical career. Raised in a horse racing family in Saratoga Springs, New York, she eventually left SUNY Albany to return to the racetrack. She honed her skills as an assistant trainer for notable figures like Chuck Simon and Chad Brown before establishing her own stable eight years ago. This foundation appears to have been instrumental in her historic achievement.
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