Female Trainer Makes Kentucky Derby History in Stunning Churchill Downs Upset

Clear Facts

• Golden Tempo won the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, giving trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Triple Crown race victory
• DeVaux became the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby and just the second woman to win any Triple Crown race
• The race featured 18 horses after multiple scratches, including Great White who flipped over during loading

Golden Tempo captured the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, marking a historic first for female trainers. The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt charged down the final stretch in the 1 1/8-mile race to give trainer Cherie DeVaux her first Triple Crown race victory.

She became the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby and just the second ever to win a Triple Crown race.

“I don’t even have any words right now,” an emotional DeVaux said on the NBC broadcast after upset the race to overcome early favorite Renegade.

The field was reduced to 19 instead of the maximum 20 early Saturday morning after The Puma was scratched due to a skin infection. He was ruled out past the deadline for a replacement, leaving Corona de Ora out of the field.

Silent Tactic, Fulleffort and Right to Party were all scratched in the last four days, but were replaced by Great White, Ocelli and Robusta.

But just before race time, the field was further reduced to 18 after Great White was scratched after flipping over as the others were loading up.

Track conditions were much better this year as opposed to last year when Sovereignty crossed the finish line covered in mud after rain poured down at Churchill Downs. According to the historic race venue, the track conditions were fast with good visibility and low precipitation just an hour before post time.

But the weather was much chillier than years past at 54 degrees just an hour before race time. According to the FOX Forecast Center, the average high in Louisville this time of year is 74 degrees.

According to data from the National Weather Service in Louisville, the coldest Derby Day on record was on May 4, 1940, and May 4, 1957, when temps reached 36 degrees and were accompanied by 20 to 25 mph winds.

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