In an exhilarating finish, Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, triumphed in the 2026 Kentucky Derby. The race took place at Churchill Downs, where Golden Tempo edged out the competition with a neck victory. This remarkable win made DeVaux the first female trainer in Kentucky Derby history.
Golden Tempo’s Victory and Historical Significance
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, completed the 1¼ miles on a fast dirt track in a time of 2:02.27. The victory came with a payout of $48.24 on a $2 win bet. DeVaux expressed her pride, saying, “I’m glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere and we can do whatever we put our mind to.”
Key Race Details
- Winner: Golden Tempo
- Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Finish Time: 2:02.27
- Payout: $48.24 on a $2 wager
Renegade finished in second place after overcoming a slow start. Meanwhile, Ocelli, a 70-1 long shot trained by Whit Beckman, secured third place. The early race fractions were set by Six Speed, clocking in at 22.68 seconds for the quarter-mile, 46.44 seconds for the half-mile, and 1:10.90 for three-quarters of a mile.
Notable Mentions
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert aimed to break the record for the most Derby wins but finished with Potente in 12th and Litmus Test in 17th place. Baffert remains tied with Ben Jones, both holding six Derby victories.
Additionally, veteran jockey Mike Smith, at 59 years old, sought to become the oldest jockey to win the Derby. He ended up in ninth place aboard So Happy, falling short of breaking the record held by Bill Shoemaker since 1986.
Race Background and Upcoming Events
Golden Tempo improved his career record to 3-0-2 over five starts, having previously placed third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 21. In the week leading up to the Derby, six horses were scratched due to various issues, with a total of eighteen competing.
The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, is scheduled for May 16 at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland, as renovations continue at Pimlico Race Course.
