DeVaux claims Kentucky Derby as first female trainer
Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt, ridden by jockey Jose L. Ortiz, charged down the stretch in the 1 1/8-mile race to secure victory for trainer Cherie DeVaux. DeVaux became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby and the second to win a Triple Crown race.
Ortiz claimed his first Derby triumph on his 11th attempt, edging out early favorite Renegade from the inside No. 1 post. Renegade, trained by Todd Pletcher, had threatened to become the first winner from that position in four decades before fading late. Pletcher had noted before the race of the post draw: "It’s not the one we would have chosen."
The field started at 19 horses after The Puma scratched early Saturday due to a skin infection, leaving Corona de Ora out past the replacement deadline. Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Right to Party had scratched in the prior four days but were replaced by Great White, Ocelli and Robusta. Great White then scratched just before post time after flipping in the gate, reducing the field to 18. Track conditions remained fast with good visibility and low precipitation, unlike the muddy surface of the previous year when Sovereignty prevailed. Temperatures hovered at 54 degrees, cooler than the Louisville average high of 74 for early May.
DeVaux, emotional after the win over Renegade, told the NBC broadcast: "I don't even have any words right now." Golden Tempo's victory marks DeVaux's first Triple Crown race success. Ortiz beat his brother Irad, who rode the Pletcher-trained contender.