Golden Tempo wins the 152nd Kentucky Derby
Golden Tempo — the horse who entered the Kentucky Derby with 23-1 odds to win — won the 152nd edition of the historic race on Saturday, making Cherie DeVaux the first woman to train the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
The horse charged down the stretch to make history for DeVaux in the 1 1/8-mile race. Fan favorite Renegade was second and long shot Ocelli third.
Jockey Jose Ortiz showed off the riding prowess that has made him so successful at Churchill Downs in recent days to win the Derby for the first time in his 11th try. He beat brother Irad, who rode Renegade, to that accomplishment.
DeVaux is just the second female trainer to win any Triple Crown race after Jena Antonucci with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. She won the Derby in her first opportunity, eight years since starting her own stable.
The race featured 18 thoroughbreds, down two from its intended 20. Great White was scratched from the race moments after entering the starting gate, when the horse bucked up and flipped over. The Puma was ruled out less than 12 hours before post time due to a swollen leg from a skin infection.
Golden tempo will take home $3.1 million, followed by $1 million to Renegade and $500,000 to Ocelli. Fourth place took home $250,000 and fifth place $150,000. Here’s a full breakdown of the Kentucky Derby prize money.
DeVaux was nearly speechless after her win.
“I’m glad I can be representative of women everywhere,” DeVaux said in a postrace interview on the broadcast. “We can do anything we set our minds to.”
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