Golden Tempo wins Kentucky Derby as trainer DeVaux makes history

Golden Tempo stormed from the very back of the pack to triumph in the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux a landmark victory as the first woman to saddle the winner of America’s most famous horse race.
Sent off ‌at 24-1, Golden Tempo broke slowly under Jose Ortiz and trailed the 18-horse field before threading through traffic and unleashing a late charge from the outside to claim the “Run for the Roses” by a neck on a brisk day in Louisville.
Renegade, the 5-1 co-favorite ridden by Ortiz’s brother Irad Ortiz Jr., finished second, while 70-1 longshot Ocelli was third in front of a crowd of 150,415.
DeVaux, nearly speechless after making history, said she hoped the victory would resonate beyond racing.
“I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said in a post-race interview.
Ortiz outduels brother
Ortiz, who won the Kentucky Derby for the first time, had to run down his older brother Irad in the stretch after Renegade also launched a late bid, following early traffic from the rail.
Ortiz became emotional as he reflected ‌on winning with his parents in attendance.
Ortiz said his brother should take pride in Renegade’s performance despite the defeat.
Irad Ortiz Jr. said he was impressed by the Todd Pletcher-trained Renegade’s fight.
Memorable Weekend
The victory capped a memorable weekend for Jose Ortiz, who also won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Always a Runner on Friday.
The victory was worth $3.1 million for Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s Golden Tempo, the Kentucky-bred son of Curlin.
Golden Tempo returned $48.24, $19.14, $11.90. Renegade returned $7.14 and $5.46 with Ocelli paying $36.34 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.
The Kentucky Derby is the opening leg of U.S. thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes is next up on May 16 before the series concludes with the Belmont Stakes on June 6.