Golden Tempo rallies to win historic Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The day before the Kentucky Derby each 12 months is thought as Ladies’ Day, with a number of stakes races for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Kentucky Oaks.

The next day, Derby Day, belongs to the boys.

Someone forgot to inform Cherie DeVaux.

The 44-year-old native of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., made historical past Saturday as the first feminine coach to win the Kentucky Derby when Golden Tempo rallied from far back to defeat Renegade by a neck.

“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said on NBC. “So, so, so happy for Golden Tempo. [Jockey] Jose [Ortiz] did a wonderful job, masterful job. He has had so much faith in this horse.

“I’m glad I could be representative of all women everywhere, that we can do anything we set our minds to.”

DeVaux was the 18th girl to saddle a Derby starter; the best end had been a second by Shelley Riley’s Casual Lies in 1992. The only other girl coach to win a Triple Crown race is Jena Antonucci, who captured the 2023 Belmont with Arcangelo.

It was also the first Derby win for Ortiz, whose older brother Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Renegade. Irad Ortiz Jr. remained winless in the Derby.

“I’m glad I get my lifetime dream achieved,” said Jose Ortiz, who also gained the Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Always a Runner. He is the ninth jockey to full the double — Brian Hernandez Jr. did it two years in the past.

Sent off at 23-1, Golden Tempo paid $48.24 for a $2 wager after operating 1 1/4 miles in 2 minutes, 2.27 seconds.

Ocelli was third at 70-1, adopted by Chief Wallabee, who was attempting to give jockey Junior Alvarado and coach Bill Mott consecutive Kentucky Derby wins. Danon Bourbon, a Japanese-trained horse who had a clear lead with about 300 yards remaining, was fifth.

Jockey Jose Ortiz celebrates after driving Golden Tempo to a Kentucky Derby win at Churchill Downs Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

Incredibolt was sixth, then Commandment, Wonder Dean, Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy, Emerging Market, favored Further Ado (5-1), Potente, Six Speed, Robusta, Albus, Intrepido, Litmus Test and Pavlovian. Five of the last seven horses are based in Southern California.

Great White was scratched just before the race after he bucked and rolled over on the ground at the beginning gate (he didn’t seem to be severely injured, but the observe veterinarian ruled him out). The Puma was withdrawn early Saturday morning because of a pores and skin infection. Three other horses had been scratched during the week.

That left a discipline of 18, two fewer than the utmost, but it still featured the standard assortment of bumping and bouncing, with Renegade predictably taking some of the worst of it from his inside post place. But being far back turned out to be the place to be as Six Speed blazed through the first half-mile in 46.44 seconds and six furlongs in 1:10.90.

Danon Bourbon and So Happy moved up to problem for the lead on the far flip, with the Japanese horse transferring better. He appeared on his approach to victory but rapidly drained. Ocelli, who has never gained a race, took the lead with about 100 yards remaining but Golden Tempo and Renegade flew past him just before the wire.

Golden Tempo’s group of house owners and help workers in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs on Saturday in Louisville, Ky.

(Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

It was the third win in 5 profession begins for Golden Tempo, a son of Curlin and the Bernardini mare Carrumba. He was bred by his house owners, Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito) & St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola, who also owns the NHL’s Florida Panthers).

Golden Tempo gained his first two races this past winter at the Fair Grounds, a maiden race and the Lecomte Stakes. He turned in a clunker in the Risen Star in February, then completed third in the Louisiana Derby. He had not raced for the past six weeks, since March 21.

DeVaux said Golden Tempo was dealing with cracked heels on his entrance ft but that she wasn’t frightened about how he would run. Saturday, everybody came upon why.