The roar at Churchill Downs was deafening as a 23-1 longshot named Golden Tempo pulled off a last-to-first masterpiece to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby. In a race that saw early drama and a late surge, the colt trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by Jose Ortiz turned the Run for the Roses into a historic spectacle.
Before the gates even opened, chaos struck. Number 21, Great White, bucked his jockey and nearly crushed him, forcing a late scratch that trimmed the field to 18 horses. But once the delay settled, the real show began.
Six Speed set a blistering pace out front, leading the pack through the first half-mile. Meanwhile, Golden Tempo was dead last, trailing the field by more than a dozen lengths. As the horses rounded the far turn, morning-line favorite Renegade finally broke free from traffic and looked poised to strike. But from the back, Golden Tempo was making a move that would rewrite history.
With Ortiz urging him on, Golden Tempo swung wide, circled the entire field, and collared Renegade at the wire, winning by a nose. The finish was so close that the crowd held its breath before the photo confirmed the upset. It was the third career win for Golden Tempo in five starts, and it completed a career Triple Crown for Ortiz, who had previously won the Belmont Stakes in 2017 and the Preakness in 2022.
For DeVaux, the victory was even more groundbreaking. She became the first woman in history to train a Kentucky Derby winner, shattering a barrier that had stood for 151 years. “This is for every woman who ever dreamed of being here,” she said after the race.
Now the question on everyone’s mind: Can Golden Tempo do it again? The Preakness Stakes at Pimlico is just two weeks away, and the connections face a tough decision. Last year’s Derby winner, Sovereignty, skipped the Preakness and later won the Belmont, but the Triple Crown remains the rarest prize in American sports. With the excitement of the Derby still buzzing, fans are already dreaming of a Triple Crown run.
The quick turnaround is brutal, but Golden Tempo’s late-closing style and fresh legs could be an asset. The colt’s owner said they’ll evaluate his recovery before making a decision. “We’ll do what’s best for the horse,” they added. “But we’re not ruling anything out.”
With the pre-race scratch of favorite The Puma still fresh in memory, and a field that saw three horses scratched before post time, this Derby was already one for the ages. Golden Tempo’s improbable victory only adds to the lore.
As the sun set on Churchill Downs, the racing world turned its eyes to Baltimore. Will Golden Tempo chase history? Or will he rest on his laurels? One thing is certain: the Triple Crown dream is alive and well.
