SPORTS

Golden Tempo's Closing Rush Secures Historic Derby Victory

PUBLISHED May 2, 2026, 11:24 PM ET

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Louisville, Ky. On Saturday at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby, with jockey Jose Ortiz guiding the 23-1 long shot to a neck victory over Renegade and securing trainer Cherie DeVaux’s distinction as the first woman to train a Derby winner. The immediate responses included celebratory postrace interviews from DeVaux and Ortiz and official race statistics showing early fractions of 22.68 seconds for the quarter-mile and 46.44 seconds for the half-mile; Ortiz had won the Kentucky Oaks the previous night, and racing officials posted final placings and odds late Saturday.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

1875: The Kentucky Derby is inaugurated, establishing the annual event.
2018 (approx): Cherie DeVaux starts her own training stable (eight years before this Derby).
2023: Jena Antonucci becomes the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race (Belmont Stakes).
Friday (race week): Jose Ortiz wins the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner.
Saturday (Derby day): Golden Tempo wins the 152nd Kentucky Derby; DeVaux becomes the first female trainer to win the Derby.

News Intelligence

Golden Tempo's historic win is a milestone for gender equality in sports. It's proof that women, like Cherie DeVaux, can excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. If you're a fan of horse racing, or equality, this is a victory worth celebrating.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 11

Who Benefited

Cherie DeVaux, her training operation, and female professionals in horse racing gained historic recognition and increased visibility that may attract sponsorships, owners, and aspiring trainees looking to enter the sport.

Who Impacted

Connections of beaten favorites and some bettors faced disappointment and financial losses, while narratives about the effectiveness of closers at Churchill Downs were challenged by the race outcome.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 11
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Who Impacted

Connections of beaten favorites and some bettors faced disappointment and financial losses, while narratives about the effectiveness of closers at Churchill Downs were challenged by the race outcome.