Golden Tempo causes major upset as history made in Kentucky Derby
Golden Tempo has delivered one of the most remarkable Kentucky Derby victories in recent memory, charging from last to win the 1¼-mile classic at Churchill Downs and hand trainer Cherie DeVaux a historic breakthrough.
The 23-1 chance sat at the tail of the 18-horse field for much of the running in the Kentucky Derby, as a strong early tempo set up the race for closers. Despite recent trends at the track favouring on-speed runners, jockey Jose Ortiz remained patient, saving ground early before launching a sweeping run around the field.
Still well back approaching the home turn, Golden Tempo began to pick off rivals one by one before producing a powerful surge down the outside in the straight. He collared race favourite Renegade in the final strides to score by a neck in a time of 2:02.27, with Ocelli finishing third at long odds.
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Ortiz said the victory was a lifelong dream for him and a career highlight, with it the eleventh attempt at winning the fabled race.
“I get to ride it almost every year, but to get to win it, it’s just special,” said Ortiz, who also won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday aboard Always a Runner. “I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know he’s looking from heaven. Just very happy that I get my goal, my life dream goal achieved.”
The win marked a career-defining moment for DeVaux, who became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, and just the second to prepare a Triple Crown race winner. It also delivered Ortiz his maiden Derby success after multiple previous attempts.
“It really is an honor to be able to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to,” DeVaux said. “You can dream big, and you can pivot. You can come from one place and make yourself a part of history.”
“I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed exercise rider. And I would not believe that I would be sitting up here today. Never in my life did I think I would.”
Golden Tempo’s victory, coming off a fast-run race and from an impossible position, shapes as one of the more memorable editions of the Run for the Roses in recent years.
The next leg of the Triple Crown — the Preakness Stakes — will be raced on May 16, before it concludes with the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
