Dead Last to First
Golden Tempo broke from post 19, settled into last, and produced a strong stretch run to make Kentucky Derby history. He swept past the entire field to edge Renegade at the wire and pay $48.24 to win. Final time: 2:02.27.
In doing so, Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. She is 44 years old, born in Saratoga Springs, and just two days ago she said she was "just trying not to think too much about it being my first time in the race." Now she's got plenty more to think about.
Jose Ortiz rode the winner. His brother Irad finished second on Renegade. The Ortiz brothers first and second in the Kentucky Derby. Renegade, from the rail — the post we spent an entire edition analyzing — ran huge. He nearly beat 40 years of history. He just couldn't beat Golden Tempo.
Ocelli, a late addition to the field after the Fulleffort defection, ran third at 70-1. Chief Wallabee, the workout buzz horse of Derby week and my pick, ran fourth. Didn't do anything for my win-place-show major but at least he ran OK.
The Order of Finish
1. Golden Tempo (23-1) — Jose Ortiz / Cherie DeVaux — $48.24 / $19.14 / $11.90
2. Renegade (5-1) — Irad Ortiz Jr. / Todd Pletcher
3. Ocelli (70-1) — Joseph Ramos / D. Whitworth Beckman
4. Chief Wallabee (7-1) — Junior Alvarado / Bill Mott
Six Speed set the pace. Great White flipped at the gate and was scratched by the veterinarians on site, causing an 11-minute delay while horses were pulled from the gate and reloaded. 150,415 fans attended.