The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby delivered a finish for the ages on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as Golden Tempo surged from the back of the pack to secure a stunning victory at Churchill Downs. In a race defined by resilience and a dramatic shift in momentum, the 23-1 long shot defied the odds to claim one of the most prestigious titles in global horse racing.
The victory was not only a triumph for the horse and jockey but a landmark moment for the sport. By guiding Golden Tempo to the winner’s circle, trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby in its 152-year history, breaking a long-standing glass ceiling in the industry.
For jockey Jose Ortiz, the win marked a career milestone. After a whirlwind weekend that included a victory in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday aboard Always a Runner, Ortiz cemented his place in the history books with a masterful ride that saw Golden Tempo thunder past the field in the final stretch to hold off the morning-line favorite.
A Historic Milestone for Cherie DeVaux
The victory of Golden Tempo represents a systemic shift in the landscape of American thoroughbred racing. Cherie DeVaux’s achievement as the first female trainer to claim the Kentucky Derby title is a historic milestone that resonates far beyond the track at Churchill Downs. Her success underscores the growing influence and capability of women in the highest echelons of equine training and management.
Speaking after the race during an NBC broadcast, DeVaux expressed her gratitude and admiration for the partnership between the horse and the rider. “I’m just so, so, so happy for Golden Tempo,” DeVaux stated. She praised Jose Ortiz for his patience and skill, noting that he performed a “masterful job” in navigating the horse from a disadvantaged position to the front of the pack, adding that Ortiz “had so much faith in this horse.”
The Race: Golden Tempo’s Last-to-First Surge
The dynamics of the race were unexpected from the start. Golden Tempo entered the gate as a 23-1 long shot, a position that typically suggests a low probability of victory. Throughout the early and middle stages of the race, the horse remained well off the lead, positioned at the back of the pack as the leaders set the pace.
The turning point occurred at the top of the stretch. As the field entered the final phase of the race, Jose Ortiz urged Golden Tempo forward. In a powerful display of closing speed, Golden Tempo thundered past the competition, catching the leaders in a frantic dash for the finish line. This “last-to-first” trajectory is rare in the Kentucky Derby, where positioning is often critical to success.
The battle for the lead came down to a duel between Golden Tempo and Renegade, the morning-line favorite. While Renegade mounted a strong challenge, Golden Tempo maintained the lead to secure the win. Ocelli, an also-eligible horse who entered the field during the week and went off at 70-1, finished in third place, adding to the unpredictable nature of the 152nd running.
The Ortiz Family Duel
One of the most compelling narratives of the race was the sibling rivalry between Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. In a rare occurrence, the two brothers found themselves battling for the top spot in the world’s most famous horse race, with Jose aboard Golden Tempo and Irad riding the favorite, Renegade.
The victory provided Jose Ortiz with his first Kentucky Derby win, a crowning achievement for the jockey. Reflecting on the race and his brother’s performance, Jose admitted he had respected the quality of Renegade. “I thought (Renegade) was going to drop a little bit to the back. But I also knew he was a very nice horse,” Jose Ortiz said. He noted that while he expected Renegade to run a strong race, he did not anticipate the specific outcome. “I didn’t know he was going to be second. It’s a good time for him to be second,” he added with a chuckle, expressing hope that his brother would one day claim the victory himself.
The Financial Impact and José Luis Ortiz Kentucky Derby Winnings
While the exact figures of the payout for the jockey are not typically disclosed in immediate post-race reports, the financial windfall from a Kentucky Derby victory is substantial. In professional horse racing, jockeys typically earn a percentage of the total purse awarded to the winning owner. Given the massive scale of the Kentucky Derby purse, a victory of this magnitude represents a significant financial gain for Jose Ortiz.
Beyond the immediate check, the prestige of winning the Derby significantly increases a jockey’s marketability and demand for future high-stakes races. For Ortiz, this win, coupled with his success in the Kentucky Oaks, establishes him as one of the premier riders of the 2026 season.
Triple Crown Strategy: Skipping the Preakness
Despite the momentum of the win, the path toward the Triple Crown will take an unconventional turn. It has been confirmed that Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. This decision effectively ends any possibility of a Triple Crown sweep for the 2026 season.
The decision to bypass the Preakness is a strategic move by trainer Cherie DeVaux to preserve the horse’s health and peak performance for the final leg of the series. Golden Tempo is now aiming for the Belmont Stakes, which will be held in Saratoga. This shift in strategy suggests a focus on quality over quantity, prioritizing a second major victory over the grueling schedule of the full Triple Crown trail.
By targeting the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga, the team hopes to capitalize on Golden Tempo’s stamina and closing speed, which were so evident at Churchill Downs. The horse’s ability to recover and surge from the back of the pack makes him a formidable contender for the “Test of the Champion.”
The next confirmed checkpoint for Golden Tempo and the team of Jose Ortiz and Cherie DeVaux will be their preparation and eventual entry into the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if the 23-1 long shot can once again defy expectations on the grandest stage of racing.
What are your thoughts on Cherie DeVaux’s historic win? Do you think skipping the Preakness is the right move for Golden Tempo? Share your thoughts in the comments below and share this story with fellow racing enthusiasts.