6Pre-AdvancedGeneralSports

Golden Tempo's Stunning Derby Win Makes Racing History

A 23-1 longshot named Golden Tempo charged from dead last to win the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Trainer Cherie DeVaux became the first woman ever to train the winner of America's most famous horse race, breaking a barrier that had stood for over 150 years.

2 min readLevel 6May 4, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

monumental

/ˌmɒnjʊˈmentəl/

adjective

Extremely great or important, often in a way that will be remembered for a long time

“The discovery of antibiotics was a monumental achievement in the history of medicine.”

prestigious

/preˈstɪdʒəs/

adjective

Highly respected and admired, usually because of a long history of excellence or importance

“She graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in the country.”

shattered

/ˈʃætəd/

verb

Broke something completely, often used figuratively to mean destroying a belief, record, or barrier

“The young athlete shattered the world record by nearly two seconds.”

decisive

/dɪˈsaɪsɪv/

adjective

Having the power to settle or determine an outcome clearly and without doubt

“Her decisive action during the emergency saved several lives.”

unleashing

/ʌnˈliːʃɪŋ/

verb

Releasing a powerful force or energy that had been held back

“The company is unleashing a new marketing campaign across all social media platforms.”

straightforward

/ˌstreɪtˈfɔːwəd/

adjective

Simple and easy to understand, or happening without complications or difficulties

“The instructions were straightforward, so everyone completed the task quickly.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

On May 2, 2026, the Kentucky Derby witnessed one of its most remarkable upsets in history. Golden Tempo, a three-year-old colt with 23-1 odds, surged from last place to win. Jockey Jose Ortiz guided the horse through a field of eighteen rivals at Churchill Downs. The stunning come-from-behind victory had been considered virtually impossible by most racing experts. Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who had been watching trackside, collapsed with joy as her horse crossed the line.

DeVaux's achievement represents a monumental milestone for women in professional horse racing. Before Saturday, only seventeen female trainers had ever saddled a horse in the Derby. None of them had managed to win the prestigious race until DeVaux shattered that barrier. She is just the second female trainer to have won any Triple Crown race. The 44-year-old had started her own stable in 2018 after working as an assistant trainer.

The race itself was nothing short of breathtaking. Golden Tempo sat in last position for most of the 1⅛-mile contest. With remarkable patience, Ortiz positioned the colt before unleashing a decisive charge down the stretch. Golden Tempo overtook the favorite, Renegade, by a neck in a thrilling photo finish. The winning time was recorded at 2:02.27, and the total purse amounted to five million dollars.

DeVaux's journey to this historic triumph had not been straightforward. She was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, and had once studied pre-med in college. After the race, she acknowledged her role as a representative for aspiring women in the sport. The racing world now wonders whether Golden Tempo will compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes. If DeVaux pursues the Triple Crown, she could rewrite even more history in the weeks ahead.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What were Golden Tempo's odds going into the Kentucky Derby?
2
What historic milestone did Cherie DeVaux achieve?
3
Where was Golden Tempo positioned for most of the race?
4
What was unique about the jockeys who finished first and second?
5
What was the total prize purse for the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What historic achievement did Cherie DeVaux accomplish at the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
2
How did Golden Tempo's position change during the race, and what made the victory so surprising?
3
What were Golden Tempo's odds before the race, and what does this tell us about expectations?
4
Who was the jockey that rode Golden Tempo, and what was significant about the second-place finisher's jockey?
5
Why is the Kentucky Derby considered particularly important in the world of horse racing?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
Have you ever witnessed or experienced an unexpected victory in sports that gave you strong emotions?
2
What do you think about the significance of being the first woman to achieve something in a traditionally male-dominated field?
3
Do you enjoy watching horse racing or other animal-related sports? Why or why not?
4
If you had been at Churchill Downs that day, how do you think you would have reacted to such a dramatic finish?
5
Can you think of a time in your own life when you succeeded despite being considered an underdog?