The 152nd Kentucky Derby had plenty of drama and at the center of it was a horse nobody really saw coming. Golden Tempo walked into Churchill Downs as a long shot and left as the winner.
With Jose Ortiz in the saddle, the son of Curlin sat near the back of an 18-horse field for most of the 1 1/4-mile race before finding his lane in the stretch. He ran down race favorite Renegade and crossed the wire a neck in front, stopping the clock at 2:02.27. The win also made history for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby.
It was a result worth celebrating. But the Triple Crown conversation didn’t last long.
Jose Ortiz on Golden Tempo during the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.Frankie Steele/Special to Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Golden Tempo Skipping 2026 Preakness Stakes
On May 6, it was confirmed that Golden Tempo will not make the trip to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes. The decision reflects a wider shift in how connections handle Derby winners, with many now choosing a longer recovery over the demanding two-week turnaround the Triple Crown schedule requires.
DeVaux opened up about the call when she addressed the decision.
“We did not feel any pressure with running Golden Tempo in the Preakness.” she said, per WLKY. “We respect the history of the race. We respect that fans are excited about the prospect of a Triple Crown winner. However, we have to be the ambassador for Golden Tempo, and it takes a certain type of horse to be able to come back and run in two weeks. And he’s not that kind of a horse.”
Rather than pushing Golden Tempo through a quick turnaround, the connections are pointing him toward the Belmont Stakes instead.
2026 Preakness Stakes Field and What to Know
The Preakness is scheduled for Saturday May 16 with post time set for 6:50 p.m. ET. This year’s race moves to Laurel Park while major renovation work continues at Pimlico, the traditional home of the second leg.
The field looks noticeably different from what lined up at Churchill Downs. Only three horses from the Derby are returning for the Preakness: Ocelli, Robusta and Incredibolt.
Another name drawing attention is Great White, which scratched while being loaded into the gates at the Derby and never got to run. The horse is back now and set to take the track Saturday at Laurel Park.
Related: Kentucky Derby 2026 Results & Payouts After Golden Tempo’s Win
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
