“I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed training rider. And I couldn’t believe I’d be sitting here today. Never in my life did I think I would.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – After being asked all week about the possibility of becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, Cherie DeVaux was nearly speechless when Golden Tempo charged from the back of the pack Saturday to make history for her.
“I’m glad I don’t have to answer that question anymore,” DeVaux said to rousing applause.
DeVaux joined Jena Antonucci, with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont, as the only women to train a Triple Crown winner. She was only the 18th woman to saddle a horse in the Derby in its 152-year history and the gravity of the situation was brought into focus for her days ago when she saw a young girl on her back and realized the impact she is making.
“It’s really an honor to be able to be that person for other women or other little girls to look up to,” DeVaux said. “You can dream big and you can roll. You can come from a place and make yourself part of history.”
DeVaux credits growing up with seven brothers and two sisters for her toughness. After winning the Derby at her first trial, eight years after starting her stable, she thanked her husband for inspiring her to give it a shot.
“I didn’t believe it,” DeVaux said. “I started my career here 22 years ago as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed training rider. And I couldn’t believe I’d be sitting here today. Never in my life did I think I would.”
It came with a lot of work. DeVaux fielded questions this week about Golden Tempo’s cracked heels, and she downplayed the concerns. She spent a lot of time getting the colt into shape, trying pulses and other things to get Curlin’s son to focus.
Jockey Jose Ortiz even described Golden Tempo as lazy. But Ortiz showed what he and the horse could do Saturday, winning the Derby for the first time in his 11th attempt — and doing so in impressive fashion.
Ortiz sailed past 17 other horses around the final turn and made a strong charge down the stretch. With a crowd of more than 100,000 watching and roaring at Churchill Downs, Golden Tempo passed morning line favorite Renegade — ridden by brother Irad — just short of the wire to win the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:02.27 at odds of 23-1.
Their parents were there to witness it.
“I can ride her almost every year, but to win her, it’s just special,” said Ortiz, who also won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday aboard Always a Runner. “I just wish my grandpa was here, but I know he’s watching from heaven. Just so happy to achieve my goal, the goal of my life’s dream.”
Golden Tempo paid $48.24 to win, $19.14 to place and $11.90 to show. Renegade paid $7.14 to place and $5.46 to show. Ocelli – who did not enter the field until Thursday when Brad Cox’s Fullefort was sent off – paid $36.34 to appear after going 70-1.
“He gave me a really good run and proud of his effort,” said Ocelli rider Tyler Gaffalione. “We just weren’t able to get the job done, but hats off to the winners and runners-up. They ran big races.”
The 152nd Kentucky Derby continued with just 18 horses after a scary incident before the race. Great White was a late scratch by track vets after turning and throwing his rider.
Great White’s trainer John Ennis confirmed to The Associated Press that the great gray gelding and rider Alex Achard were fine.
Great White became the fifth horse scratched this week and the second on Saturday. Silent Tactic was ruled out on Wednesday, Fulleffort on Thursday and Right to Party on Friday, with Great White, Ocelli and Robusta coming in. Puma was out less than 12 hours before post time with a leg swollen from a skin infection, but it was too late to replace him.
After Golden Tempo’s win in the $5 million Run for the Roses, the immediate question was whether he would bounce back in two weeks in the May 16 Preakness Stakes. With two of the previous four Derby winners not participating in the Preakness, DeVaux said that will be determined in the coming days.
“We’ll let him decide that,” DeVaux said. “We’re going to have to let him tell us, because the horse comes first. We’re not here for ourselves. We’re not here for our egos. We’re here for the horse.” By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer
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