The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby lived up to the hype of the best two minutes in sports. From horses falling over to the first female trainer to ever win the derby to two brothers coming in first and second, the derby was one not to forget.
Golden tempo, a horse with 23-1 odds, was the winner in a quite incredible race. Golden Tempo was in 13th going into the final stretch when they made a late surge to beat the co-favorite renegade by a neck. Through the final stretch there were many lead changes with the most significant one being Golden Tempo’s who emerged from way behind the pack at 13th to win at the last second. Golden Tempo managed to maneuver around a couple of horses before finding a lane on the outside where it made a remarkable run to the front of the pack just before the finish line.
Golden Tempo’s trainer, Cherie Devaux, was the first ever female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby. Only 17 female trainers had ever entered the derby before that and none had won it until Golden Tempo. This is a major milestone for female horse trainers all over the world because of how it might change the industry opening the doors for more female horse trainers in the future.
Not only did the first ever female trainer win the derby, but two brothers placed first and second for the first time in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Irad Ortiz Jr., the jockey of Renegade, and his brother Jose Ortiz, the jockey of Golden Tempo, placed first and second in the race. The two brothers grew up in Puerto Rico and were both trained by their father and uncle who were former jockeys. This led the Ortiz’s to become great jockeys and ultimately win their first ever Kentucky Derby.
Before the start of the race, Great white (50-1) flipped over its jockey and fell over. The horse then scratched from the race and may never race again due to injuries.
Overall, the race was very exciting with many different and exciting milestones and events throughout it. Golden Tempo, a longshot and a horse trained by a female and rode by a jockey who had never won the race before won. Also, Great white flipped over and scratched at the last second, while Renegade the co-favorite lost by only a neck to Golden Tempo who made a phenomenal comeback for the ages. The 152nd Kentucky Derby was a close one and it will be remembered for many years to come.
