The win was historic. Here’s who crossed the finish line first.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. β Golden Tempo crossed the finish line first at the 152ndΒ Kentucky Derby on Saturday.Β
The win is historic, marking Cherie DeVaux as the first woman to train the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown. It is also jockey Jose Ortiz’s first Kentucky Derby win after 11 tries.Β
Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, was at the back of the back early but charged down the stretch to make history for DeVaux in the 1 1/8-mile race, winning at odds of 23-1. Renegade was second, with brother Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, and long shot Ocelli was third.
DeVaux is just the second female trainer to win any Triple Crown race after Jena Antonucci with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. She won the Derby in her first opportunity, eight years since starting her own stable.
βIβm glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds do,β DeVaux said.
What happened to Great White?
Great White was scratched from the race mere minutes before it began after he flipped and threw his jockey.
Great White landed on his back, but not his jockey. It’s unclear if either of them were injured.Β
How much money do the top five finishers earn?
According to the Kentucky Derby, in 2024, the purse for the race was elevated to a guaranteed $5 million. That money is split between the top five finishers of the race. βThese record purse increases are a symbol of the health of horse racing in Kentucky,β said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated.
The $5 million purse remains the standard for the 2026 running of the race. Here is how it’s broken down between the top finishers.
- 1st place: $3.1 million
- 2nd place: $1 million
- 3rd place: $500,000
- 4th place: $250,000
- 5th place: $150,000
READ MORE: Here’s how much the winner of the Kentucky Derby will get
Who was scratched from the Kentucky Derby?
Five horses were scratchedΒ from the 2026 Kentucky Derby ahead of what is widely known as the “greatest two minutes in sports.”Β
- Great White was a last second scratch after flipping and throwing his jockey while loading.
- Right to Party
- The Puma
- Silent Tactic
- Fulleffort
READ MORE: What happens if a Kentucky Derby horse you bet on gets scratched?
The Associated Press contributed to this report.Β