Starting at 24-1 odds, Golden Tempo broke slowly under jockey Jose Ortiz and trailed the 18-horse field early. The colt then navigated through traffic before launching a powerful late run on the outside to win by a neck in front of a crowd of more than 150,000 in Louisville.
Renegade, ridden by Jose Ortiz’s brother Irad Ortiz Jr., finished second as the 5-1 co-favorite, while longshot Ocelli secured third place.
An emotional DeVaux said the victory carried significance beyond racing. She expressed hope that the achievement would inspire women, saying it demonstrated that barriers can be broken with determination and belief.
The trainer added she remained confident throughout the race despite Golden Tempo’s slow start, noting the horse’s running style typically involves closing strongly from behind. She said she sensed victory approaching in the final stretch before the finish.
For Jose Ortiz, the win marked his first Kentucky Derby triumph. He described it as a lifelong dream, made more meaningful with his parents present. Overcome with emotion, he reflected on achieving a career milestone and dedicated the moment to his family.
Ortiz also edged out his brother Irad in a competitive finish, with both jockeys launching late challenges. Irad acknowledged the strong performance of his mount but said the winner had gained the decisive advantage.
The victory capped a standout weekend for Jose Ortiz, who also won the Kentucky Oaks a day earlier, becoming one of the few riders to secure both major races in the same year.
Golden Tempo’s win earned $3.1 million for connections and marked the opening leg of the U.S. Triple Crown season, which continues with the Preakness Stakes on May 16 and concludes with the Belmont Stakes on June 6.
