A lot of people walked away from the Kentucky Derby with empty pockets, but not Trent Noah. His premonition may have led to a bigger deal.
Trent Noah picked Golden Tempo, and the 3-year-old bay colt came through. Tempo showed off his legendary dad’s (Curlin) stamina to help Cherie DeVaux become the first female trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby.
I’ve been to Churchill Downs, and I know a lot of people may disagree, but I much prefer a nice day over at Keeneland. There’s just something about the atmosphere, the pace, and the overall experience that makes it stand out for me in a different way. That’s not to take anything away from the legendary track in Louisville—Churchill Downs is iconic, steeped in history, and absolutely something every racing fan should experience at least once in their life.
But I’d also bet a fair number of you reading this have filled out a bet slip during the Kentucky Derby at some point. And if you did happen to get lucky and cash in, you already know the kind of payouts that race can produce when the chaos plays out just right.
Golden Tempo, a 23-1 longshot, ran down the field and delivered a surprise victory, paying out $48.24 on a $2 win bet. For those who went further and correctly predicted the top two finishers in order, the exacta returned a much bigger reward, cashing at $278.86 and turning a small wager into a hefty payday.
For the top three horses in the correct order (trifecta), the payout climbed to $5,625.39, turning a difficult read of the race into a massive return. And if you were somehow sharp—or lucky—enough to nail the top four finishers (superfecta), the payout exploded to $94,489.95, underscoring just how steep the rewards can be when a longshot-heavy race comes together perfectly.
And one Kentucky Wildcat leaned right into his local roots, showing off a strong sense of Kentucky pride with his Derby-day prediction. Before the gates even sprang open at Churchill Downs, several members of the Wildcats basketball program were already part of the conversation, putting their picks on the record as anticipation built for the Run for the Roses.
The annual Kentucky Derby isn’t just a major sporting event in the state—it’s a cultural moment—and it often pulls in figures from across the Kentucky sports scene. This year was no different, as players from the Wildcats roster offered their predictions, adding a basketball twist to one of horse racing’s most iconic traditions. For fans, it was another reminder of how deeply intertwined Kentucky basketball is with the broader sports identity of the state, where even a day at the track becomes part of the conversation around the program.
Trent Noah picked Golden Tempo, and the 3-year-old bay colt delivered on the promise. Golden Tempo surged late to get the job done, rewarding that pre-race confidence with a memorable result on one of racing’s biggest stages. The colt also leaned on the stamina and class associated with his sire, Curlin, to power through the stretch and outlast the field in the final moments.
The victory also carried historic significance for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who became the first female trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby. It was a breakthrough moment that added another layer of meaning to an already dramatic race, blending a breakthrough performance in the barn with a standout ride on the track.
What a race it was, as Tempo charged late on the outside after falling behind early and still found another gear when it mattered most. It was the kind of stretch run that defines the Kentucky Derby—chaotic early fractions, shifting positions, and a decisive closing kick down the lane to seal the outcome.
For Trent Noah, the timing of the pick only adds to the storyline. Maybe that bit of Derby-day luck carries over into the season as the junior looks to carve out a bigger role and make his mark in Lexington. At minimum, it’s the kind of moment that connects the state’s biggest sporting traditions—where horse racing drama at Churchill Downs blends right into the anticipation surrounding Kentucky basketball.
