Cherie DeVaux shares Golden Tempo update day after Kentucky Derby 2026
Cherie DeVaux, trainer of Golden Tempo, said the horse is doing “fine” the morning after his winning run in Kentucky Derby 152.
- Golden Tempo and jockey Jose Ortiz rallied from last place to beat Renegade by a neck in Kentucky Derby 2026.
- Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
After becoming the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, Cherie DeVaux got the first taste of her new celebrity status during a post-race celebration Saturday night at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse.
“Got to see a lot of friends there and celebrate with many — many that I know and many that I don’t,” DeVaux said.
After four hours of sleep and “no coffee yet,” DeVaux was greeted by a gaggle of media Sunday morning at her Barn 37 on the Churchill Downs backside.
They were there to see DeVaux and Golden Tempo, the 23-1 long shot who rallied from last place to beat Renegade by a neck in Saturday’s 152nd Run for the Roses.
Golden Tempo was slated to ship back to Keeneland — DeVaux’s home base — later Sunday morning, and DeVaux was set to fly to New York for an appearance on a TV morning show Monday.
DeVaux, 44, said she’d received more than 800 messages via text and social media.
“I can’t wait to go home and get back to my normal routine,” she said. “I guess I’m going to have to take a little detour.”
Of course, the biggest question DeVaux now faces is whether she will pursue the Triple Crown. The second leg, the Preakness, is set for May 16 at Laurel Park. The Preakness draw is set for Monday, May 11.
Two of the past four Kentucky Derby winners — Rich Strike in 2022 and Sovereignty in 2025 — skipped the Preakness, as trainers have become more wary about running horses back two weeks after such a strenuous race.
“We’ll assess how he’s doing,” DeVaux said. “As long as he’s in tip-top shape, we’ll talk about (the Preakness), and it is on the table. But it’s really up to (the horse). …
“He’s a horse that has a lot of constitution to him, so he can handle something like that. But if one day he just doesn’t look like he’s in tip-top shape, we’ll pivot and come up with another plan.”
DeVaux’s decision will come in the middle of debate about whether the period between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness should be stretched to three or four weeks in future years.
“The Triple Crown is hard to win for a reason,” DeVaux said. “I appreciate the history of it. Horses are definitely different. They’re not built the same. They’re not trained the same as back then. But current times have shown that it can be done with the right horse.”
Whether Golden Tempo is that horse remains to be seen, but he was plenty good enough Saturday night.
Jockey Jose Ortiz guided him from the No. 16 post position in the starting gate toward the rail, saving ground and keeping an eye on morning-line favorite Renegade.
Still in last entering the final turn, Ortiz began to pick off horses. He raced down the stretch in the middle of the track and ultimately caught Renegade in the final strides to win by a neck.
“Golden Tempo doesn’t really give Jose any help by just falling back so far,” DeVaux said. “Jose gets all the credit for the win. He got him in position around the turn and pushed him out and got a clear path.”
DeVaux has downplayed her role as a trailblazer for female trainers but also said she’s appreciative of the history she made.
“I’m grateful,” DeVaux said. “It’s amazing that I get to be that person and I never have to answer the question about what it would be to be the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. I did. It’s amazing. I am proud to be that person for the sport.”
Trainers for second-place Renegade and third-place Ocelli both said they’ll skip the Preakness.
Renegade trainer Todd Pletcher said Renegade will target the Belmont, set for June 6 at Saratoga.
Ocelli trainer Whit Beckman said his horse likely will skip the Preakness and Belmont and target the Grade 3 Matt Winn on June 7 at Churchill Downs.
“I’d rather keep him around here and use the surface and where he’s training the best to our advantage,” Beckman said. “Maybe break his maiden in a Grade 3.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
