DeVaux Turns to Blinkers for Golden Tempo in Louisiana Derby

By Kevin Kilroy —-

DeVaux Turns to Blinkers for Golden Tempo in Louisiana Derby

NEW ORLEANS (March 18, 2026) – Golden Tempo, a fast-closing 3-year-old colt trained by Cherie DeVaux, will add blinkers for his third start on the local Kentucky Derby prep circuit Saturday in the Grade 2 $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line, the homebred from Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable will face eight rivals while competing for 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

Golden Tempo followed his last-to-first debut win with a breakthrough performance in the Grade 3 Lecomte, weaving through a 10-horse field along the rail before surging clear to win. In his most recent start, Golden Tempo again dropped back early and came on strong late, finishing third to Paladin in the Grade 2 Risen Star and earning 15 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to bring his total to 35.

“You know, he made a nice run (in the Risen Star),” DeVaux said. “He just gave himself a lot to do.”

DeVaux said the colt has continued to develop in recent weeks and has worn blinkers in his morning breezes.

“We’re putting blinkers on him not to change his running style, but hopefully to get him in a better position so he doesn’t have to make up so much ground,” DeVaux said. “He’s got a really nice turn of foot. But I really just want to get him focused, and a couple times when he’s made his runs, even when he won, he kind of idled before he kicked clear. So we’re just trying to get him to be closer, and then when he makes his run, he makes it without any hesitation.”

Jockey Jose Ortiz, who has been aboard throughout, noticed an immediate difference in morning training.

“He’s a lot more forward,” DeVaux said. “Jose breezed him the first time we put them on, and he said he noticed a change in the horse as soon as he stepped on the track. He’s been a lot more forward in the bridle. He doesn’t have to ask him to get into his works.”

Despite the equipment change, DeVaux emphasized that she expects the added distance of the 1 3/16 miles in the Louisiana Derby to play to Golden Tempo’s strengths.

Slated as Race 12 of Louisiana Derby Day’s 14-race program, first post is noon CT.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.