Cherie DeVaux Makes History Now: Longshot Golden Tempo Wins 152nd Kentucky Derby
On a bitterly cold Saturday at Churchill Downs, trainer Cherie DeVaux watched her 23-1 longshot Golden Tempo storm from last place to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby by a neck. The victory gave DeVaux her first Derby win in her very first entry as a trainer.
Jockey Jose Ortiz, winless in 10 prior Derby attempts, piloted the dark bay filly to a breathtaking finish. The temperature at post time was 39°F (4°C), making it the coldest Derby since 1989, but the chill did nothing to cool the excitement as Golden Tempo crossed the wire.
A Last-to-First Thriller at Churchill Downs
Golden Tempo broke slowly from the gate and trailed the 19-horse field for the first mile. While the betting favorites battled up front, Ortiz saved ground along the rail, biding his time. Turning for home, he swung the filly to the outside, found a clear lane, and unleashed a furious charge.
Weaving between tiring horses, Golden Tempo caught the leader, Noble Honor, inside the final sixteenth of a mile. She won by a neck in a final time of 2:01.87. The crowd, bundled against the rare May cold, erupted as the longshot hit the wire first.
“It felt like she was just waiting for me to ask,” Ortiz said in the winner’s circle, his voice shaking. “When I asked, she gave me everything.”
Who Is Cherie DeVaux? A Trainer’s Unlikely Path
Cherie DeVaux, 44, grew up in Saratoga Springs, New York, the daughter of a trainer. She spent her mornings on the backstretch before school, but initially chose a different path, enrolling at SUNY Albany as a pre-med student.
After two years, she left college to return to racing. She worked as an assistant for nearly a decade before opening her own stable in 2018. By 2026, she had built a reputation for developing young horses, but few expected her first Derby starter to win it all.
“This is unreal,” DeVaux said, holding the garland of roses. “This horse has heart. Jose gave her the perfect trip. I’m just so proud of everyone on this team.”
Golden Tempo is owned by a partnership that includes DeVaux herself, along with Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable.
Racing World Reacts to the Upset
The victory sent shockwaves through the sport. Fellow trainers and racing fans alike took to social media to celebrate the longshot victory.
Bob Baffert (Hall of Fame trainer, finished 5th): “Cherie had that horse ready. She’s been grinding for years, and today it all came together.”
Jose Ortiz (winning jockey): “She told me this morning, ‘Just sit cold and let her run at the end.’ That’s exactly what we did.”
Social media: Within an hour, #CherieDeVaux and #GoldenTempo were trending worldwide, with fans hailing the upset as one of the greatest in Derby history.
What’s Next for Golden Tempo and Cherie DeVaux?
With the win, Golden Tempo has earned an automatic berth in the Preakness Stakes on May 16, 2026, at Pimlico Race Course. DeVaux said she would evaluate the filly over the coming days before making a decision.
“I’m not going to rush anything,” DeVaux said. “She just ran the race of her life. If she tells us she’s ready for Baltimore, we’ll go. But her welfare comes first.”
Regardless of what happens next, Cherie DeVaux has already secured her place in Derby lore. On a cold Saturday in May, a 23-1 longshot and its determined trainer pulled off one of the biggest surprises in recent racing memory.
