Cherie DeVaux made history Saturday at Churchill Downs, becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby as her horse Golden Tempo surged from last place to capture the 152nd Run for the Roses by a neck. The 23-1 long shot, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, delivered a stunning last-to-first performance that etched DeVaux's name into the record books alongside the legendary names of American horse racing.
How Golden Tempo Pulled Off the Unthinkable at Churchill Downs
Golden Tempo entered the 152nd Kentucky Derby as a 23-1 long shot, but the colt by Curlin out of Carrumba had a trainer and jockey who believed. Jose Ortiz saved ground along the rail for much of the trip while Six Speed and other rivals set a blistering pace. Three-quarters of a mile into the race, Golden Tempo was dead last in the field of 18 horses. What followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Derby history.
Ortiz began weaving through horses around the far turn, but he and Golden Tempo still had 11 horses to pass at the top of the stretch. The jockey, who had gotten to know both the track and Golden Tempo intimately, charged past everyone to pull off a memorable victory in a final time of 2:02.31. "I don't even have any words right now. So, so happy for Golden Tempo. Jose did a wonderful, masterful job. He had so much faith in this horse," DeVaux said after the race.
Timeline: From Last Place to History Books
The 152nd Kentucky Derby unfolded in dramatic fashion on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Here's how the race developed:
- Pre-race: Golden Tempo entered with 23-1 odds as one of the longest shots in the field. No clear favorite emerged, leaving the race wide open.
- Start to three-quarters: Six Speed shot to the lead, setting a hot tempo. Golden Tempo lagged at the back of the 18-horse field, dead last as the pack rounded the first turns.
- Far turn: Jose Ortiz began threading Golden Tempo through traffic, saving ground along the rail and finding pockets of space as horses ahead began to tire.
- Top of the stretch: Golden Tempo still had 11 horses to pass. Ortiz swung the colt wide and asked for everything he had.
- Final furlongs: Golden Tempo unleashed a powerful kick, blowing past rivals one by one to hit the wire first by a neck.
Why Cherie DeVaux's Victory Changes Everything for Horse Racing
Cherie DeVaux, a 44-year-old native of Saratoga Springs, New York, arrived at the Kentucky Derby as a relative unknown to casual fans. But those in the horse racing world knew exactly who she was. A former pre-med student who chose horses over hospitals, DeVaux spent over a decade learning under some of the sport's top trainers before going out on her own in 2018.
"I didn't believe," DeVaux said. "I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed exercise rider. And I would not believe that I would be sitting up here today. Never in my life did I think I would."
Her first graded stakes win came in 2019, and she followed that with a victory on one of racing's biggest stages at the Breeders' Cup. Now, she's just the second woman to win any Triple Crown race, joining Jena Antonucci, who won the 2023 Belmont Stakes. "I'm glad I can be a representative for all women, that we can do anything we put our minds to," DeVaux added.
NBC broadcaster Britney Eurton put it succinctly: "Take gender out of it: She's a phenomenal trainer. For her, this is her life. Male or female, this is what she's wanted to do and she's very, very good at it."
Where Things Stand Now: The Celebration and What Comes Next
DeVaux's victory has been met with widespread celebration across the horse racing community and beyond. The $3.1 million winner's purse goes to Golden Tempo's connections, with DeVaux collecting a significant payday as trainer. For DeVaux, this was her first Kentucky Derby starter, making the achievement all the more remarkable.
"The only thing I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby," DeVaux had said before the race. "This is our first Derby starter, and we're one step closer." The 44-year-old credited her husband for inspiring her to give horse training a chance, reflecting on a career path that began when she was just an exercise rider at the track.
What Happens Next: The Road to the Preakness and Belmont
With the Kentucky Derby in the books, attention now turns to the remaining legs of the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course is set for May 16, where Golden Tempo could attempt to continue his winning run. If Golden Tempo skips the Preakness or fails, the Belmont Stakes on June 6 offers another opportunity for the colt to solidify his legacy.
Regardless of what happens next, Cherie DeVaux has already achieved what no woman in 152 years of the Kentucky Derby had done. "It would be irresponsible of me to not acknowledge that what I'm doing does inadvertently make a difference," DeVaux said. "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. You have to be willing to fail to be able to succeed."
Key Takeaways from the 152nd Kentucky Derby
- Winner: Golden Tempo (23-1 odds), trained by Cherie DeVaux, ridden by Jose Ortiz
- Time: 2:02.31 for the 1 1/4-mile race at Churchill Downs
- Historic first: Cherie DeVaux becomes the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in 152 runnings
- Comeback: Golden Tempo was last in the 18-horse field with three-quarters of a mile to go before storming to victory
- Prize: The winning purse was $3.1 million from the record $5 million total purse
- Triple Crown: The Preakness Stakes on May 16 looms as the next potential milestone for Golden Tempo
