Golden Tempo stormed late to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, with Cherie DeVaux becoming the first female trainer to claim the Run for the Roses.
Golden Tempo pulled off a late, high-stakes surge to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby in a thrilling finish at Churchill Downs, completing a moment that will be remembered long after the roses are handed out.
The race swung toward the end as Golden Tempo. coming from off the pace. delivered its strongest run down the stretch to catch and overtake Renegade.. Renegade. the morning favorite. settled for second. extending a sharp trend that has seen the top-billed entrant fall short in the Derby for a string of consecutive years.. Ocelli finished third, while Chief Wallabee crossed fourth.
Misryoum notes that Golden Tempo’s timing was the difference. When the pace and positioning finally allowed a late outside run, the race opened up just enough for the winner to seize the moment.
For Cherie DeVaux, the victory carried historic weight.. DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. a landmark that adds a new chapter to one of American sport’s most storied contests.. Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the colt to victory. securing the win after being forced to navigate from the back of the pack. while also finishing ahead of Renegade in a dramatic final push.
The result also brought heartbreak for Renegade’s connections, with the Derby proving unforgiving again.. Ortiz’s win came after an eventful build-up to race day, including late setbacks to the field.. The Puma was scratched before the start due to a swollen leg issue tied to an infection. and Great White was also removed after an incident on the walk to the gate led to a decision that prevented the jockey from taking the mount.
Misryoum insight: Derby days like this show how quickly plans can shift. When the field changes at the last minute, it doesn’t just alter the lineup, it can reshape how contenders approach the trip.
Looking ahead, the next step in the Triple Crown picture moves to the Preakness Stakes on May 16.. The race will be held at Laurel Park rather than Pimlico Race Course due to construction. keeping the contest’s challenge intact while changing its setting.. If Golden Tempo continues on that path and wins. the final test would be the Belmont Stakes. which will also be staged away from its usual venue as Saratoga Race Course hosts the event.
For now, though, the focus remains on what happened at Churchill Downs: Golden Tempo’s determined finish and DeVaux’s breakthrough as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner. In a sport built on patience, preparation, and timing, this result delivered them all at once.