Golden Tempo takes Kentucky Derby as DeVaux becomes first woman to train its winner

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cherie DeVaux spent the week talking a lot about the possibility of becoming the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner as she got ready to be just the 18th to enter a horse in the crown jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown with Golden Tempo. Charging from the back of the pack and down the stretch to win the Derby, Golden Tempo made history for DeVaux, taking her breath away in the process and rendering her nearly speechless. “I don’t even have any words right now,” DeVaux said. “I just can’t.” DeVaux is just the second female trainer to win any Triple Crown race after Jena Antonucci won with Arcangelo in the 2023 Belmont Stakes. She won the Derby in her first opportunity, eight years after starting her own stable. “Being a woman or my gender has never really crossed my mind in this journey of mine,” DeVaux said. “I’m glad I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything we set our minds to.” During the week, DeVaux shifted from downplaying what it would mean to be the first woman to train a Derby winner to understanding she’s a