Cherie DeVaux Makes History As First Female Trainer to Win the Kentucky Derby

The glass ceiling shattered at Churchill Downs on Saturday when Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, as her horse Golden Tempo (32) surged to victory from the back of the field under jockey Jose Ortiz.

Golden Tempo (32), a 3-year-old son of Curlin, closed relentlessly down the center of the stretch at 23-1 odds to claim his first Grade I victory in the 152nd running of the world's most famous horse race. The race unfolded with Six Speed (24) and So Happy (34) setting early fractions of :22.68 and :46.44, while Golden Tempo (32) bided his time near the back of the pack.

As the field approached the final furlong, Golden Tempo (32) made his decisive move on the outside, engaging Renegade (37) and the longshot maiden Ocelli (31), who were also making strong late runs. In a thrilling finish, all three horses battled for supremacy in the final strides, but it was DeVaux's charge who had the most left in the tank, crossing the wire first in 2:02.27 on a fast track.

Renegade (37) finished second, beaten a nose, with Ocelli (31) rounding out the trifecta, three-quarters of a length back from the runner-up.

For Jose Ortiz, Saturday's victory capped off a remarkable weekend. The accomplished jockey also rode Always A Runner (33) to victory in Friday's Grade I Kentucky Oaks, giving him both Derby and Oaks wins in the same weekend—a rare achievement in thoroughbred racing.

Golden Tempo (32) came into the Derby with strong credentials, and his pedigree suggested he had the ability to excel at the classic distance. Owned by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables, LLC, the colt improved his lifetime record to 5-3-0-2 while earning $3,433,000 and picking up his first Grade I victory with a commanding performance under pressure.

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