Hey friend,
It’s officially the year of the underdog, especially when it comes to sports. If you were following the NBA playoffs, you’d know that the Sixers came back from a 3-1 deficit against the Celtics and ended up progressing to round 2. There’s something beautiful about a team that refuses to give up. If you missed that post, it’s below. There’s a ton of history behind that series that was incredible to watch.
But this weekend, I want to spotlight the Kentucky Derby, the most prestigious horse race in America, held every year in Louisville. Honestly, I had no clue what this was other than people dressing up in fancy hats, dresses and suits. It’s been running since 1875 and is known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports”. Twenty horses compete in a 1.25-mile race for a chance at the Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown is one of horse racing's biggest achievements (like a Super Bowl or NBA Champ). It requires a horse to win three core races in the same year - the Kentucky Derby (May 2), the Preakness Stakes (May 16), and the Belmont Stakes (June 6). Something only 13 horses in history have ever done.
What made this Derby unforgettable wasn't just that Cherie DeVaux became the first woman trainer to win. It was watching Golden Tempo and the jockey, Jose Ortiz surge from last place to first in the final stretch.
There’s something surreal about watching it unfold. It’s proof that even when you’re dead last, your race isn’t over. Things can change suddenly. One moment you’re at the back, wondering if you’ll ever catch up. The next, you’re crossing the finish line first.
Cherie DeVaux proves that an "overnight success" is never really overnight. The moment leading up to the win was something she had been preparing for for years. She's been training horses for over 20 years. She started at the bottom, mucking stalls and working her way up. She faced setbacks and rejection in an industry that's historically been dominated by men, but she kept showing up, running her own race, and trusting her process even when no one else believed.
Before 2026, only 19 horses trained by women had entered the Kentucky Derby in over 150 years. The odds were stacked against her, but she didn’t let that stop her from trying. You don’t enter a race knowing you’ll win. You enter for the chance to win. This is what happens when years of preparation meet the right moment. This is what stepping out on faith actually looks like.
This feels like God’s timing to me. Golden Tempo spent most of that race in last place. But when the moment was right, everything fell into place in seconds. He was exactly where he needed to be, exactly when it mattered.
Which has me thinking: we should honor our own tempo and stop worrying about being last. Stop watching who’s ahead. Find your opening. Run your race <3
Like Golden Tempo, your moment is coming, it’s just a matter of time.
other sporty stuff
NBA semifinals: Knicks (2) vs. Sixers (0)- a battle of the east coast cities. knicks are in the lead!!
This was such a wonderful read!