In a thrilling finish at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo surged ahead to claim victory in the Kentucky Derby, marking a historic achievement for Cherie Devaux, who becomes the first female trainer to win this esteemed race, often referred to as ‘The Run for the Roses.’
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Despite starting with long odds at 23-1, Golden Tempo executed a remarkable late run, skillfully maneuvering from the outside to surpass the competition, including the morning favorite, Renegade. This unexpected triumph left spectators in awe as Golden Tempo galloped past the favorites to clinch the win.
Renegade’s second-place finish extends a notable trend, as the morning favorite has now failed to secure victory in this renowned American horse racing event for eight consecutive years. Meanwhile, Ocelli, a long shot at 70-1 odds, impressively claimed third place, with Chief Wallabee trailing in fourth.
The outcome was a significant disappointment for Renegade’s owner, Mike Repole. Known for his ventures in horse racing and sports investments, including his involvement with Vitamin Water, Bodyarmor, and St. John’s men’s basketball team, Repole has now faced defeat in the Kentucky Derby nine times.
Jockey Jose Ortiz, who had already tasted success by winning the Kentucky Oaks the previous evening aboard Always a Runner, delivered an extraordinary performance. Despite being in last place at the final turn, Ortiz expertly guided Golden Tempo to a stunning victory, notably overtaking his brother, Irad Ortiz, who was riding Renegade.
With this win, Cherie Devaux joins an elite group of female trainers to achieve success in Triple Crown races, following Jena Antonucci’s 2023 Belmont Stakes win with Arcangelo. Devaux’s triumph is a testament to her skill and determination in the male-dominated world of horse racing.
Golden Tempo made a late push down the stretch to come from dead last to take victory
The win makes Cherie Devaux the first woman trainer to ever win the ‘Run for the Roses’
‘I don’t even have any words right now,’ Devaux said in the moments after the victory.
‘I’m glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to.’
Speaking again at the winner’s circle, Devaux told NBC, ‘In the summer of 2017, I was kind of at a crossroads in life and [my husband] told me that I owed it to myself to at least try. And he had the faith in me and he saw what I didn’t see and believed in me.’
The 152nd edition of the historic race was run with only 18 horses instead of the maximum 20 after The Puma and Great White were scratched from the lineup at the last minute.
Churchill Downs officials announced on Saturday morning that The Puma was out because of a swollen leg from a skin infection.
Then, on the walk to the starting gate, Great White lost control and flipped over – throwing jockey Alex Achard from his saddle.
Great White – who entered the field after Silent Tactic was scratched – was examined on-track by veterinarians.
Eventually, the decision was made to take the saddle off the horse – denying Achard his Kentucky Derby debut.
Jockey Jose Ortiz rode his horse from the back of the pack to his first Kentucky Derby win
In order to take the garland of roses, he passed by his brother – Irad Ortiz – at the line
The scratching of Great White further delayed the start of the race. After initially setting a post time of 6:57pm ET, the gates did not open until 7:08pm ET.
It has yet to be determined if Golden Tempo will attempt to become the 14th horse to win the American Triple Crown. The thoroughbred Justify was the last to do so in 2018.
The next phase of that test will be on May 16 in the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes.
The Preakness will be run away from its traditional home of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore due to construction. Instead, the one-and-three-sixteenths mile race will be held at Laurel Park outside the city.
If Golden Tempo races and wins that, the final test of the Triple Crown will be the Belmont Stakes.
Just like the Preakness, the Belmont Stakes will be run away from its traditional home at Belmont Park just outside the limits of New York City.
Instead, for the third time in as many years, the Belmont Stakes will be run at the historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. Saratoga is widely considered to be the oldest major sporting venue in the United States, having opened in 1863.
