By Ryan Petrunyak
Golden Tempo enters this year’s Kentucky Derby after spending the winter competing for all the major preps down at the Fair Grounds. He broke his maiden for Cherie DeVaux and Jose Ortiz in his first start, running by a field that has since produced multiple winners. This homebred for Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stable will certainly be a square price on the first Saturday in May. I’d be surprised to see him in the winner’s circle, but I’ll be looking to use him as part of my vertical plays.
Racing Record and Notable Performances
After that impressive maiden win in December, DeVaux wasted no time stretching Golden Tempo out to two turns against a deep field in the G3 Lecomte Stakes. The colt split horses and came from the back of the pack to win. The 81 Beyer Speed Figure came back a bit lighter than you would hope for a Derby win candidate, but I had some optimism for improvement after watching his strong finish. His next start was a somewhat disappointing third behind Paladin and Chipo Honcho in the G2 Risen Star Stakes, but the moderate pace that day was not ideal for his running style. More on his final prep race below.
Pedigree and Connections
- Sire: Curlin
- Dam & Damsire: Carrumba (by Bernardini)
- Owner: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable
- Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
From a distance perspective, this pedigree looks like he should thrive going longer. Both Curlin and Bernardini have proven their ability to produce runners that can handle the Classic distance of a mile and a quarter. This cross is responsible for Grade I winners Clairiere and Paris Lights.
While neither Ortiz nor DeVaux have yet to win a Kentucky Derby, they are both highly capable of putting Golden Tempo in the best position to win. The closest Ortiz has come to winning the Derby was when Good Magic (who shares the same sire as Golden Tempo) ran second in 2018 behind eventual Triple Crown winner Justify. While I’m not sure Golden Tempo is the horse to make DeVaux the first female trainer to win the Derby, in my mind she has a good chance of reaching the accomplishment at some point in her career.
Final Prep Analysis
Final Prep Race: G2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (March 21st)
Finish Position: 3rd out of 9
Final Time: 1:55.18
Beyer Speed Figure: 88
In his final prep race in the G2 Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo got the perfect setup for a closer. Pavlovian went the first half mile in 46:1, but when Golden Tempo made his move at the top, he couldn’t run down Pavlovian or the eventual winner Emerging Market after diving in toward the rail. I found that move interesting and have changed my original opinion that he wants more distance.
Strengths and Concerns
Strengths: Golden Tempo’s biggest bull argument coming into the Derby is that his figures have improved in all four starts and DeVaux seems to have him in position to take another step forward. He also has proven a willingness to pass horses when in tight spots, which is a necessary skill to navigate a 20-horse field as a closer.
Concerns: His biggest issue is that he is just too slow early. My concern with him as a win candidate is that it is likely he will be in the back of the pack when they run under the twin spires the first time. For him to win, he will, A) need a pace setup for closers, and B) need to outkick all of the other top closers in this field, including two of the main favorites in Renegade and Commandment.
Expert Opinions and Odds
Golden Tempo is currently sitting at 33-1 internationally. I would say this is about a fair price and likely close to what he will go off at. While I do not love him as a win candidate, he should be a price I would recommend using in the third and fourth spot if you are involved in tri and super pools. If this pace does go faster than many anticipate (an opinion I have), then this could set up for him to once again run a career-best number that will be good enough to get a piece.
Conclusion
Golden Tempo most certainly will not be impacting the early pace in this race, but he has a real chance to get a call in the stretch run and catch a piece of the money. If you’re right in your opinions on the top two spots in the tris and supers, don’t be afraid to include him underneath at a price.
