The 2026 edition of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve was an unforgettable one, as Golden Tempo rallied from near the back of the pack and prevailed in a thrilling finish over fast-closing Renegade by a neck. Ocelli, a maiden longshot at 70-1 odds, was only a length behind in third in front of an on-track crowd of 150,415 at Churchill Downs.

Read the post-race quotes from the trainers and jockeys who competed in the first jewel of the 2026 Triple Crown as they commented on how their horses fared.

Jose Ortiz (Jockey, Golden Tempo, winner) – “We always knew this horse had a lot of ability. You could see early in his career we tried things because he’s a lazy horse. I knew always Golden Tempo would be my Derby mount. This is an incredible experience. I just won the Kentucky Derby!”

Trainer Cherie DeVaux (red jacket) helps raise the Derby trophy. (Carlos Calo/Eclipse Sportswire)

Cherie DeVaux (Trainer, Golden Tempo, winner) – “He’s a dead closer and the Louisiana Derby really solidified he was getting there from the eighth pole home. If he had extra ground he was going to make it. We had to have faith in the process, faith in the horse, faith in Jose (Ortiz). That was an incredible experience. I’m so proud of this horse”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (Jockey, Renegade, second) – “We got squeezed at the start. We came flying late, but the winner just got the jump on me. He ran very well.”

Todd Pletcher (Trainer, Renegade, second) – “He got a little roughed and got pushed out of his position. But he kept on going and made his run. He just didn’t get there today.”

Tyler Gaffalione (Jockey, Ocelli, third) – “He gave me a really good run and proud of his effort. We were just not able to get the job done but hats off to the winner and runner-up. They ran huge races.”

Golden Tempo crosses the finish line. (Scott Serio/Eclipse Sportswire)

Whit Beckman (Trainer, Ocelli, third) – “As he was coming down the stretch and I saw him with a chance to win – my mind went blank. Then I snapped back in and saw him finish. I’m so proud of him and he showed he belongs with all these good horses.”

Junior Alvarado (Jockey, Chief Wallabee, fourth) – “I had a good trip, I thought I was in the position I wanted to be. I was following Further Ado, and at the eighth pole, things got a little tight and we lost a little momentum. But he ran a pretty good race, nothing to be ashamed of. He gave me what he had today.”

Bill Mott (Trainer, Chief Wallabee, fourth) – “He got jostled and he got squeezed. But he kept on coming and I’m very proud of his run.”

Jaime Torres (Jockey, Incredibolt, sixth) – “It went great, we were able to relax early and he gave me a really good run. I am very proud of him.”

The official 2026 Kentucky Derby jockey photo. (Coady Media)

Luis Saez (Jockey, Commandment, seventh) – “It was a rough trip, everybody was all over the place. He ran pretty well and made a nice move, but it was just a tough race.”

Mike Smith (Jockey, So Happy, eighth) – “He just did too much early on and we went too fast.”

Flavien Prat (Jockey, Emerging Marrket, 10th) – “I didn’t watch the replay but I thought I had a decent trip. I just came up empty. I just couldn’t make any move when it was time to go. A gap did open, but at that point I just did not have enough horse to go through.”

John Velazquez (Jockey, Further Ado, 11th) – "I had a great trip. He didn’t have any fight and I didn’t have enough to fight on with.”

Juan Hernandez (Jockey, Potente, 12th) – “I had a good trip, my horse broke beautifully and I was saving ground. We were able to drop down on the first turn, and he relaxed beautifully on the backside. I honestly thought when I asked him he was really going to pick it up, but he was a little one paced from there. He tried hard; we just didn’t have it today. He’s a nice colt.”

Jose Ortiz kisses the winner. (Charles Toler/Eclipse Sportswire)

Brian Hernandez Jr. (Jockey, Six Speed, 13th) – “We made it to the lead, and he was a little aggressive the first time under the wire, but I got him to turn off and relax a little on the backside. I think the distance was maybe just a little much for him.”

Cristian Torres (Jockey, Robusta, 14th) – “I was trying to be closer, but they were going too fast and I got caught wide into the first turn. We could not make up ground on them late. Riding in the Derby was an amazing experience that I didn’t want to end.”

Manny Franco (Jockey, Albus, 15th) – “I got squeezed out of the gate and then I stayed in the back. I was hoping then that the horses in front of me would come back and they did but my horse was just flat today.”

Martin Garcia (Jockey, Litmus Test, 17th) – “He broke good and sat behind the early pace. I had the rail open for a time but my horses just didn’t keep going. I guess he didn’t like it inside."

Edwin Maldonado (Jockey, Pavlovian, 18th) – “He broke good. There are a few horses that got sent to the lead in front us so there was no point of us rushing up on the first turn. I just settled in fifth but he didn’t have it today. We hit the three-eighths pole and that was it.”