Golden Tempo Surges from 23-1 to Win 152nd Kentucky Derby; Cherie DeVaux Becomes First Female Trainer Victor

In a stunning upset at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo exploded from the back of the pack down the stretch to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, with jockey Jose Ortiz piloting the 23-1 longshot past morning-line favorite Renegade in a thrilling finish. The victory made Cherie DeVaux the first female trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby—a watershed moment for women in thoroughbred racing. "He was so far out of it," DeVaux remarked in disbelief after the race, reflecting on her horse's improbable journey from also-ran to champion.

Ortiz's ride was masterful, timing his move perfectly as Golden Tempo surged past the field in the stretch. The jockey also claimed an impressive double, having won the Kentucky Oaks on Always a Runner the previous day, and notably defeated his own brother Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode the favored Renegade. Ocelli, a 70-1 longshot that squeaked into the field as an also-eligible entry, rounded out the podium in third place, continuing an unlikely story of long shots finding their moment.

The race itself was marked by an inauspicious start when Great White bucked his rider before the gate and had to be removed, forcing an about five-minute delay as the field re-entered the starting gate. Early leader So Happy, a trendy favorite, gave way to Six Speed and Danon Bourbon before Ocelli briefly took the lead midway down the stretch—only to be overwhelmed by Golden Tempo's devastating final kick.

DeVaux's victory carries profound significance for women in racing. She becomes only the second female trainer to win a Triple Crown race, following Jena Antonucci's 2023 Belmont Stakes triumph with Arcangelo. "I'm glad that I can be a representative of all women everywhere," DeVaux said on the NBC broadcast. "That we can do anything we set our minds to." The win also dealt another blow to billionaire owner Mike Repole, who remains winless in nine Derby attempts (not counting three scratches), with Renegade's runner-up finish marking yet another disappointment in racing's most prestigious race.

Despite uncharacteristically frigid weather—the high of 59 degrees marked one of the coldest Derby days since 1989—a crowd of 150,415 turned out to witness history.