Golden Tempo Shocks 2026 Kentucky Derby Field

When 8 horses lined up in the starting gate on May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs for the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby, it was thought that the race would go through 5 or 6 main contenders. That list included Commandment, Chief Wallabee, Further Ado, Potent, and Renegade. When the horses crossed the finish line, it was Golden Tempo that stood above the rest, with Renegade finishing 2nd with a valiant effort.

Golden Tempo opened at odds of 30-1, eventually settling in at 23-2. He paid $48.24 to win, bringing back a healthy exacta with Renegade at $278.86 for a $1 wager. The race was run in a slow time of 2:02.27 over a track listed as off. The 3-year-old bay colt won the race with a sustained rally from the back of the field. Both he and Renegade benefited from what was a fast pace over the first furlongs.

The victory ran Golden Tempo's race record to 5-3-0-2, with his only other major victory coming in the Leconte Stakes on Jan 17, 2026. The victory helped him earn enough Derby points to make the initial list of 24 entrants.

How History was Made

Golden Tempo is owned by Phipps Stable (Daisy Phipps Pulito), St. Elias Stable (Vincent Viola), also bred by Phipps Stable out of Curlin (sire) and Carrumba (dam). He was ridden to victory by top jockey Jose Ortiz.

As for his trainer, that honor goes to Cherie DeVaux. In training the Kentucky Derby winner, she became the first female trainer in Derby history to bring back the roses. It's a tremendous accomplishment for a top trainer who has certainly paid her dues in the game.

The 44-year-old DeVaux came from a long list of family members who have been involved to some extent in the equestrian industry. After learning her trade as an assistant trainer for Chuck Simon and Chad Brown, she finally went out on her own in 2018. Having the connection to top trainer Brown gave her immediate credibility in an industry that is typically difficult in which women to have success. With that said, success came quickly.

Starting with a small stable of 8 horses, DeVaux got her first victory as a trainer with her 29th starter. Over the next 8 years, she has gone on to success at the highest levels of the sport.

Her first major win came in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Mile with More Than Looks. She is also the trainer of record for the reigning 2025 American National Champion Female Turf Horse of the Year, She Fees Pretty. This extraordinary mare secured such honors with wins in top races like the E.P. Taylor Stakes.

Recently, it was announced that Golden Tempo would not be entered in the Preakness Stakes, forgoing an opportunity to win the Triple Crown. Instead, Golden Tempo is expected to be entered in the Belmont Stakes, to be run at Saratoga Race Course in June. Betors can hope to catch a decent price in that race on the long-winded colt.