History was made at Churchill Downs on Saturday, and the racing world is still buzzing. Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, guiding long shot Golden Tempo (23-1) to a thrilling neck victory over Renegade in the 152nd Run for the Roses. The win was a masterclass in patience, as Golden Tempo rallied from dead last to snatch glory at the wire.

But now, the question on every racing fan's mind is: will we see Golden Tempo in the Preakness Stakes on May 16? DeVaux, 44, addressed the media Sunday morning at her Barn 37, still running on just four hours of sleep and no coffee. "The Preakness is on the table," she said, "but it's really up to the horse."

The decision won't be rushed. DeVaux explained that Golden Tempo will ship back to her home base at Keeneland, where she'll monitor his recovery closely. "He's a horse with a lot of constitution," she noted. "He can handle something like that. But if one day he just doesn't look tip-top, we'll pivot and come up with another plan."

It's a cautious approach that's become increasingly common in recent years. Two of the last four Derby winners—Rich Strike in 2022 and Sovereignty in 2025—skipped the Preakness entirely, as trainers grow more protective of their horses after the demanding Run for the Roses. The debate over whether the gap between the Derby and Preakness should be extended to three or four weeks only adds to the pressure on DeVaux's decision.

For now, the Kentucky Derby champion is enjoying his moment. DeVaux, who received over 800 messages of congratulations, celebrated Saturday night at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse before facing a whirlwind of media appearances. "I can't wait to go home and get back to my normal routine," she said with a smile. "I guess I'm going to have to take a little detour."

Whether that detour includes a trip to Baltimore for the Preakness remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Golden Tempo's grit and DeVaux's historic achievement have already cemented their place in racing lore. Stay tuned for updates as we track this champion's next move.