In a stunning upset that will be remembered for generations, Golden Tempo charged down the Churchill Downs stretch to capture the 2026 Kentucky Derby, etching trainer Cherie DeVaux's name into the sport's history books. With jockey Jose Ortiz guiding him with precision, the 23-1 long shot surged to a neck victory in the $5 million Grade 1 classic, covering the classic 1¼ miles in 2:02.27 on a fast track.
DeVaux's triumph marked a watershed moment for horse racing, as she became the first female trainer ever to win the "Run for the Roses." "I'm glad that I could be a representative of all women everywhere," DeVaux said, her voice filled with emotion. "We can do whatever we put our mind to." The victory paid $48.24 for a $2 win bet, rewarding those who believed in the underdog.
Ortiz, who had already won the Kentucky Oaks the previous day aboard Always a Runner, described the feeling as surreal. "This is a dream come true," he said. "This is the biggest race in the world. I get to ride it almost every year, but to win is special." Golden Tempo, who entered the race off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, improved his record to three wins, no seconds, and two thirds in five career starts for owners Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable.
The race was a thriller from start to finish. Renegade overcame a slow break to rally for second, while 70-1 long shot Ocelli, trained by Whit Beckman, held on for third. Up front, Six Speed set blistering early fractions of 22.68 seconds for the quarter-mile and 46.44 for the half, with Danon Bourbon and So Happy tracking close behind. But as the field turned for home, Golden Tempo found another gear, weaving through traffic to seize the lead in the final strides.
The day also saw history slip away from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who remained tied with Ben Jones for the most Derby wins at six after Potente finished 12th and Litmus Test 17th. Meanwhile, 59-year-old jockey Mike Smith, seeking to become the oldest rider to win the Derby, saw his hopes fade as So Happy weakened to ninth, leaving Bill Shoemaker's record from 1986 intact.
In the days leading up to the race, six horses were scratched, including Great White, who unseated jockey Alex Achard just before entering the starting gate. That left a field of 18 to chase glory—and in the end, it was Golden Tempo who ran into the history books, carrying the hopes of a trailblazing trainer and a sport looking for its next great story.