History was made on Saturday when Golden Tempo, a longshot from the back of the pack, stormed to victory at Churchill Downs, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Kentucky Derby win—and making her the first woman to ever saddle a Derby winner. But the celebration is already giving way to a bigger question: Can Golden Tempo capture the Triple Crown?
DeVaux, in a press conference Monday, laid out her plan for the colt's potential Triple Crown pursuit. While she stopped short of committing to the Preakness Stakes in two weeks, she made it clear that the door is wide open.
“We’re gonna give Golden Tempo a couple of days, and he’s going to dictate the Preakness decision,” DeVaux said of the son of Curlin. “There’s a lot of conversation right now, and we’re gonna do what’s best for him.”
The Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, is the shortest of the three races at 1 3/16 miles. Golden Tempo’s come-from-behind style, which saw him rally from last to first in the Derby, might not be as effective on a tighter track against fresher horses. Last year's Derby winner, Sovereignty, skipped the Preakness entirely, disappointing fans who hoped for a Triple Crown bid.
But DeVaux isn't ruling out a run at history. The field in this year's Derby lacked a clear favorite, and Golden Tempo's stamina suggests the Belmont Stakes—the longest race at 1 1/2 miles—could be his best stage. Many experts believe that skipping the Preakness and pointing toward the Belmont might be the smarter play for the long-term health and career of the horse.
“There’s a lot of conversation right now,” DeVaux repeated, emphasizing that the colt's well-being comes first. “We’re gonna do what’s best for him.”
The decision carries immense weight. If DeVaux pushes Golden Tempo too hard, she risks the scorn of fans and owners. But if she manages him correctly, he could become a superstar. The pressure is on, but DeVaux seems unfazed.
Fans who watched Golden Tempo’s last-to-first stunner are already dreaming of a Triple Crown. The buzz is palpable, and the horse's connections are weighing every option. The next few days will be critical.
DeVaux, who has been hailed as a trailblazer, is in a rare position. She has already cemented her legacy with the Derby win, but a Triple Crown would elevate her to legendary status. For now, she's taking it one day at a time.
“We’re gonna give him a couple of days,” she said. “We’ll see how he feels.”
