Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, may run in the 2026 Preakness Stakes. Trainer Cherie DeVaux celebrated her historic win and is now facing media attention.
Key points
Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby.
Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby.
DeVaux celebrated her win at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse.
She faced media attention the following morning at Churchill Downs.
Mentioned in this story
Cherie DeVauxChurchill Downs
Golden Tempo
Will Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo run in Preakness Stakes 2026?
“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.
Q&A
Is Golden Tempo confirmed to run in the Preakness Stakes 2026?
No, there is currently no confirmation on whether Golden Tempo will participate in the Preakness Stakes 2026.
Who is Cherie DeVaux and what is her significance in horse racing?
Cherie DeVaux is the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby, marking a historic achievement in horse racing.
What was the reaction of Cherie DeVaux after winning the Kentucky Derby?
Cherie DeVaux celebrated her win at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and expressed joy in seeing friends and supporters.
Where did the Kentucky Derby take place?
The Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs, a famous horse racing venue in Louisville, Kentucky.
Related Articles
Soccer·Recap
Mainoo's winner for Man Utd sees off Liverpool comeback
Kobbie Mainoo's late strike gives Manchester United a thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool!
Sky Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Feature
Barcelona watching Espanyol-Real Madrid before hoping to celebrate title win
Barcelona hopes to celebrate La Liga title as they watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, NBA Playoffs, Game 7: Live updates
Follow live updates as the Pistons face the Magic in a critical Game 7!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB
Why Bo Bichette is playing shortstop for Mets after previous position change
Bo Bichette is back at shortstop for the Mets after a position change.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Joel Embiid, Sixers vanquish demons in improbable Game 7 triumph in Boston
Sixers defeat Celtics 109-100 in historic Game 7 win!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Today in White Sox History: May 3
Remembering the White Sox's historic May 3 win and recent performances.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“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.
Golden Tempo (left), ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L Ortiz, wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
May 2, 2026
1 / 4
See Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux
Golden Tempo (left), ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
1 / 4
See Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux
Golden Tempo (left), ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
2 / 4
Who won the Kentucky Derby 2026? See race photos from Churchill Downs
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
3 / 4
See Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, trainer Cherie DeVaux
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, won the 152nd Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2026.
4 / 4
Who won the Kentucky Derby 2026? See race photos from Churchill Downs
Golden Tempo, ridden by Jose L Ortiz, wins the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
May 2, 2026
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.”
