Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

Jena Antonucci became the first woman to train the winner of a Triple Crown race when she conditioned Arcangelo to victory in the 2023 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. But the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve — the most famous horse race in North American racing and the opening leg of the Triple Crown — had proven elusive for females in the male-dominated profession of training Thoroughbred racehorses.

Not anymore. On May 2 at Churchill Downs before 105,415 fans and with about 20 million people watching on television, Cherie DeVaux made history when her late-running 23-1 longshot Golden Tempo, her first career starter in the Derby, unleashed a furious rally from last to defeat Renegade by a neck in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby.

The colt’s victory in the $5 million race set off a celebration, first from DeVaux and her family, and in the stands, with fans savoring her defining moment. The crowd roared in approval as she raised her hands in triumph from the winner’s circle after Golden Tempo’s victory.

“There was a joke that I’m going to be a one-and-done, but now I think I’m going to have to do this again,” DeVaux quipped later.

The Derby was as dramatic as it was historic. Following a precautionary prerace scratch moments before the scheduled start when Great White flipped in the post parade when awaiting to be loaded, the 18 competitors threw down from the break.

UAE Derby runner-up Six Speed shot to the lead through fast quarter-mile fractions of :22.68, :46.44, and 1:10.90 in the 1 1/4-mile Derby, chased by Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy and unbeaten Japanese shipper Danon Bourbon, with most of the favorites far off the pace. Golden Tempo, meanwhile, was last of 18, trailing the leaders by more than 17 lengths.

Midway on the second of two turns, it was time for a new leader. Danon Bourbon struck the front, taking command with a mile in 1:36.45. He then extended his advantage, opening up a two-length lead in early stretch. But the energy he and other front-runners expended early caught up to him late. He hit a wall in the final furlong and one closer after another began to reel him in.

The maiden Ocelli, a 70-1 outsider who only drew into the race as an also-eligible, was first to strike, closing from the back of the pack in a bid for a monumental upset. But as strongly as he was finishing, it was not enough. Renegade and later Golden Tempo caught him, with jockey Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo having just a bit more punch on his mount than his brother, Irad Ortiz Jr., had aboard Renegade, the morning-line favorite.

With Golden Tempo gaining ground with three-sixteenths of a mile remaining, “I thought we’re probably going to win this. And then, I really kind of blacked out after that,” DeVaux said.

Golden Tempo, rallying widest down the lane, crossed the finish line in 2:02.27. He paid $48.24 to win in the 18-horse field.

A jubilant Ortiz celebrated passing the finish line in winning the Derby in his 11th ride. In his best prior finish, he was second in 2018 aboard reigning 2-year-old champion male Good Magic, losing to eventual Triple Crown winner Justify.

Arkansas Derby winner Renegade settled for the runner-up position, three-quarters of a length ahead of Wood Memorial Stakes third-place finisher Ocelli in third. Chief Wallabee was fourth, and Danon Bourbon faded to fifth.

Incredibolt, Commandment, Wonder Dean, So Happy, Emerging Market, favored Further Ado, Potente, Six Speed, Robusta, Albus, Intrepido, Litmus Test, and Pavlovian completed the order of finish.