Golden Tempo won the 152nd [1] Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2026, after a late rally at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The victory marks a rare feat in horse racing, as the horse overcame a significant deficit to win one of the most prestigious races in the world.
Golden Tempo, owned by Vincent Viola and trained by Cherie DeVaux, entered the final stretch at the back of the pack. In a surge that lasted approximately 45 seconds [3], the horse moved from 18th to first place to secure the win. This late-race rally allowed Golden Tempo to defeat 17 rivals [2] in what has been described as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the track.
"Golden Tempo surged late from the back to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby, beating 17 rivals in one of Churchill Downs' biggest upsets," Yahoo Sports said [2].
The win is a significant milestone for owner Vincent Viola. This victory marks Viola's second [5] Kentucky Derby triumph. Viola, who also owns the Florida Panthers, saw his horse blaze from last to first in the final moments of the race, Yahoo Sports said [4].
Churchill Downs hosted the 152nd [1] running of the event, where the field was narrowed down to a single winner through a dramatic final stretch. The rally from the rear of the field is a rare occurrence in the Derby, where positioning and pacing typically determine the outcome before the final turn.
“Golden Tempo blazes from last to first, securing Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola's second Kentucky Derby triumph.”
A victory from 18th place is an anomaly in the Kentucky Derby, where the high volume of horses often creates traffic that prevents late-running closers from advancing. This result underscores a high-risk, high-reward training strategy by Cherie DeVaux and reinforces Vincent Viola's standing as a successful owner in elite thoroughbred racing.
