The 2026 Kentucky Derby turned into an exciting upset, with Golden Tempo charging from behind under jockey José Ortiz. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the win was historic—she became the first woman ever to win the Kentucky Derby.
Golden Tempo got off to a clean start but stayed in the middle of the pack during the early stages. The early pace was fast, which wore down the frontrunners. Taking advantage of that, Golden Tempo made a strong move around the final turn and then surged down the stretch to win by about a length.
The muddy, sloppy track played a big role in the race. Several favorites struggled with the conditions, but Golden Tempo handled it confidently and used it to his advantage. The result was a surprising victory that shook up the betting odds.
Overall, the race was a great example of how smart strategy and adapting to conditions can beat raw speed. Horses that save energy early and respond well to the track often have the edge—especially in a competitive and unpredictable race like the Derby.