Jose Ortiz Wins 152nd Kentucky Derby by a Neck — Kentucky Derby Horse Race
Jose Ortiz won the kentucky derby horse race on Saturday, May 2, 2026, riding Golden Tempo from last place to a neck victory over his older brother, Irad Ortiz Jr. The 23-1 shot overcame a troubled start at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and delivered Cherie DeVaux the first Kentucky Derby win by a woman trainer.
Golden Tempo Rallies Late
Golden Tempo was bumped and bunched at the start, then Ortiz had to work through the field after dropping to last. By the finish, he had the winner in front by a neck, with Irad Ortiz Jr. second after coming flying late.
Ortiz said after the race, "We always knew this horse had a lot of ability," and added, "You could see early in his career we tried things because he’s a lazy horse. I knew always Golden Tempo would be my Derby mount. This is an incredible experience. I just won the Kentucky Derby."
Ortiz Brothers At Churchill Downs
The finish carried a family edge because Jose Ortiz beat his older brother in the race’s final stride. Irad Ortiz Jr. said, "We got squeezed at the start," and later added, "We came flying late, but the winner just got the jump on me. He ran very well."
The Derby win came less than 24 hours after Jose Ortiz rode Always a Runner to his first Kentucky Oaks victory on Friday night. That made him just the ninth rider to sweep horse racing’s two marquee events at Churchill Downs, a rare weekend double that reached its peak with the Derby finish.
Cherie DeVaux Makes History
DeVaux called Ortiz "the hero of the of the weekend" before heading to the winner’s circle, then said, "Jose has been a major part of our success. He has worked hard. He comes to the barn. He has a vested interest in everything that we do. And it’s just great to share this with him." Golden Tempo’s victory also gave her the first Kentucky Derby winner trained by a woman.
For Ortiz, the result completed a weekend that began with a Kentucky Oaks win and ended with a Derby upset over a sibling, a 23-1 long shot beating the favorite-facing pressure at Churchill Downs by a neck.
