Golden Tempo rallies to win historic Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The day before the Kentucky Derby each year is known as Ladies’ Day, with several stakes races for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Kentucky Oaks.

The next day, Derby Day, belongs to the boys.

Someone forgot to tell Cherie DeVaux.

The 44-year-old native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., made history Saturday as the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby when Golden Tempo rallied from far back to defeat Renegade by a neck.

“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said on NBC. “So, so, so happy for Golden Tempo. [Jockey] Jose [Ortiz] did a wonderful job, masterful job. He has had so much faith in this horse.

“I’m glad I could be representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to.”

DeVaux was the 18th woman to saddle a Derby starter; the best finish had been a second by Shelley Riley’s Casual Lies in 1992. The only other woman trainer to win a Triple Crown race is Jena Antonucci, who captured the 2023 Belmont with Arcangelo.

It was also the first Derby win for Ortiz, whose older brother Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Renegade. Irad Ortiz Jr. remained winless in the Derby.

“I’m glad I get my lifetime dream achieved,” said Jose Ortiz, who also won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Always a Runner. He is the ninth jockey to complete the double — Brian Hernandez Jr. did it two years ago.

Sent off at 23-1, Golden Tempo paid $48.24 for a $2 bet after running 1 1/4 miles in 2 minutes, 2.27 seconds.

Ocelli was third at 70-1, followed by Chief Wallabee, who was trying to give jockey Junior Alvarado and trainer Bill Mott consecutive Kentucky Derby wins. Danon Bourbon, a Japanese-trained horse who had a clear lead with about 300 yards remaining, was fifth.

Jockey Jose Ortiz celebrates after riding Golden Tempo to a Kentucky Derby win at Churchill Downs Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

Incredibolt was sixth, then Commandment, Wonder Dean, Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy, Emerging Market, favored Further Ado (5-1), Potente, Six Speed, Robusta, Albus, Intrepido, Litmus Test and Pavlovian. Five of the last seven horses are based in Southern California.

Great White was scratched just before the race after he bucked and rolled over on the ground at the starting gate (he did not appear to be seriously injured, but the track veterinarian ruled him out). The Puma was withdrawn early Saturday morning because of a skin infection. Three other horses had been scratched during the week.

That left a field of 18, two fewer than the maximum, but it still featured the usual assortment of bumping and bouncing, with Renegade predictably taking some of the worst of it from his inside post position. But being far back turned out to be the place to be as Six Speed blazed through the first half-mile in 46.44 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.90.

Danon Bourbon and So Happy moved up to challenge for the lead on the far turn, with the Japanese horse moving better. He appeared on his way to victory but quickly tired. Ocelli, who has never won a race, took the lead with about 100 yards remaining but Golden Tempo and Renegade flew past him just before the wire.

Golden Tempo’s team of owners and support staff in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs on Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

(Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

It was the third win in five career starts for Golden Tempo, a son of Curlin and the Bernardini mare Carrumba. He was bred by his owners, Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola, who also owns the NHL’s Florida Panthers).

Golden Tempo won his first two races this past winter at the Fair Grounds, a maiden race and the Lecomte Stakes. He turned in a clunker in the Risen Star in February, then finished third in the Louisiana Derby. He had not raced for the past six weeks, since March 21.

DeVaux said Golden Tempo was dealing with cracked heels on his front feet but that she wasn’t worried about how he would run. Saturday, everyone found out why.