Golden Tempo's Epic Rally Makes Louisville History at 152nd Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Golden Tempo surged from the back of the 19-horse field to capture the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs, passing heavy favorite Renegade in the final strides. The 1¼-mile classic unfolded before 100,000-plus spectators under clear skies, with jockey Jose Ortiz guiding the colt to victory in 2:02.27 at 23-1 odds. DeVaux, who launched her own stable eight years ago, claimed the win on her Derby debut, becoming just the second woman to train a Triple Crown race victor after Jena Antonucci's 2023 Belmont Stakes triumph with Arcangelo.

Cherie DeVaux's breakthrough shatters a 152-year barrier in the sport's marquee event, a milestone long awaited in Kentucky's horse racing heartland. Based in the Bluegrass State, DeVaux's operation has roots in Lexington's thoroughbred scene, where she honed her craft amid the industry's elite. 'This is for every woman who's ever dreamed of this,' DeVaux said post-race, her voice steady amid the confetti storm at Churchill Downs' fabled twin spires.

Ortiz, a two-time Eclipse Award winner, credited Golden Tempo's late kick for the dramatic finish, holding off Renegade by a nose in a photo that electrified Louisville. The win nets owners a $3.1 million purse from the $5 million total, boosting Kentucky's equine economy that pumps $6.5 billion annually into the state. As Golden Tempo eyes the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Pimlico, DeVaux's history-making run cements Louisville's Derby as racing's ultimate stage.