Cherie DeVaux became the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, and the finish was as cinematic as the moment itself. Golden Tempo entered the race at 23-to-1 odds and won in a stretch run that is already being replayed everywhere. She sits down with Front Office Sports to talk about what that moment actually felt like and what she told the press about mental constitution being the reason they won.
The decision not to run Golden Tempo in the Preakness sparked criticism, with fans and media asking why a Derby winner would skip a shot at the Triple Crown. Cherie addresses that criticism directly and explains the difference between what the public sees and what a trainer knows about the animal they are responsible for. She also weighs in on whether the Preakness schedule should be permanently moved to give horses more recovery time.
Plus, Cherie opens up about her career path: beginning as a pre-med student, pivoting to horse racing as a hot walker, spent 14 years as an assistant trainer, and launching her own operation with eight horses eight years ago.
