The 152nd Kentucky Derby took place on May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey John Velazquez and trained by Todd Pletcher, crossed the finish line first, securing the victory in the historic race.
The total purse for the 2026 Kentucky Derby was $5 million, distributed among the top five finishers. Golden Tempo earned $3.1 million for the win, with the second-place horse receiving $1 million, third place $500,000, fourth place $250,000, and fifth place $150,000.
Golden Tempo's win marked the fourth Kentucky Derby victory for jockey John Velazquez and the third for trainer Todd Pletcher. The race was run under clear skies with a fast track, and the winning time was 2:01.48.
