Trained by Cherie DeVaux and a 23/1 underdog prior to race start, Golden Tempo claimed victory at the 152nd Kentucky Derby on May 2, representing the first-ever female trainer to a Kentucky Derby winner.
Golden Tempo is owned and bred by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable, while jockey Jose Ortiz rode the thoroughbred to victory for a second time – having also won at the Kentucky Oaks.
“We commend the connections of Golden Tempo on an exceptional victory in the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby,” Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said.
“This year’s Kentucky Derby Week was a remarkable celebration of racing.”
Churchill Downs reported all-sources handle for Derby Week rose 3% to $487m, equating to a new record for the event. Wagering from all sources on the Kentucky Derby program fell 2.6% to $340m, however, while all-sources wagering on the Kentucky Derby race decreased 3.8% to $225m.
TwinSpires, which serves as the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby, also managed to generate an all-time high in Kentucky Derby Week handle after the figure rose 6% to $129m. The operator also reported a record $89m in wagers for the Kentucky Derby Day program, having increased 1%, while handle for the Kentucky Derby race remained stagnant at $57m.
As a result of the 2026 event, Churchill Downs projects “record-setting” adjusted EBITDA for Churchill Downs Racetrack on Derby Week, including $15-18m in year-over-year growth.
The operator also reported record first-quarter net revenue of $663m, equating to 3% growth, on April 22, as gains in live and historical racing helped offset a softer showing across its gaming division.
Live and historical racing was the strongest contributor to Churchill Downs’ all-time quarterly results, as revenue from the segment rose 9% to $301m and adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $113m.
Churchill Downs announced the acquisition of the intellectual rights of Maryland LLC’s Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes races on April 21, typically run at Pimlico Racecourse
