History was made at the 152nd Kentucky Derby, and trainer Cherie DeVaux was right in the middle of it all. As the first woman to train a Derby winner, her reaction to Golden Tempo's stunning stretch run is the stuff of sports legend.
At the top of the stretch, things looked bleak for the 23-1 longshot. Golden Tempo was trapped in traffic, and the dream seemed to be slipping away. But jockey Jose Ortiz had other plans. Guiding the horse to the outside, he found room to run, and DeVaux could feel the momentum shift. "Come on, Jose!" she screamed, her voice cutting through the roar of the Churchill Downs crowd.
What happened next was pure magic. Golden Tempo picked up the pace, surging past the leaders with every powerful stride. The impossible suddenly felt inevitable. By a neck, Golden Tempo edged out morning-line favorite Renegade, etching DeVaux's name into the history books.
DeVaux's emotional journey during those final furlongs was as gripping as the race itself. When the situation seemed dire, she buried her head in the railing, unable to watch. But as Ortiz made his move, she pulled herself forward, her feet lifting off the ground and kicking the podium in rhythm with Golden Tempo's gallops. It was a raw, unscripted moment of pure passion.
When Golden Tempo crossed the finish line, DeVaux broke down for just a moment before the hugs began—a celebration that will be remembered for generations.
Derby Day is always "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," but this year, it was also a milestone for equality and excellence. Golden Tempo's victory isn't just a win for the stable; it's a testament to the power of believing in the longshot, both on the track and in life.
