Kentucky Derby 2026 live updates: Golden Tempo wins 152nd running with trainer Cherie Devaux

The horse entered with 23-1 odds and had a dramatic comeback to overtake the pack. Co-favorite Renegade finished in second.

Golden Tempo claimed Saturday’s Kentucky Derby and made history, as trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to ever prep the winner of America’s most famous horse race.

“I don’t have any words right now,” DeVaux said after the victory. “I’m just so, so happy for Golden Tempo. (Jockey) Jose (Ortiz) did a wonderful job, a magical job at getting him there. He’s was so far out of it, and he has had so much faith in this horse.”

The horse entered with 23-1 odds. Renegade (5-1) and Ocelli (70-1) took second and third, respectively.

Golden Tempo, the son of two-time horse of the year Curlin, had run well during show efforts in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes but wasn’t considered a serious contender in the Run of the Roses.

Ortiz, with tears streaming down his face, called the result a “dream come true.”

“This is a biggest race in the world,” he said. “For me, I’m just glad I get to ride it almost every year. Forget who the winner is, it’s just special. I have my mom and dad here today. It’s very special.”

Before DeVaux’s big win, the closest a female trainer had come to the winner’s circle came in 1992 with the place showing of Casual Lies, prepped by Shelley Riley.

“I’m glad I can be representative of women everywhere,” DeVaux said in a postrace interview on the broadcast. “We can do anything we set our minds to.”

Here are the final results from the Kentucky Derby.

Win: Golden Tempo (23-1 odds)

Place: Renegade (5-1)

Show: Ocelli (70-1)

Exacta: Golden Tempo, Renegade

Trifecta: Golden Tempo, Renegade, Ocelli

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/horse-racing/live-blog/kentucky-derby-2026-live-updates-rcna341955


Really impressive race. This horse was all the way in the back, and came charging up. Louisville is still my home town!