SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) 鈥� Cherie DeVaux knows Saratoga well. She was born in , and after growing up in Florida, she returned to study at the University of Albany, just a 30-minute drive away.
After two years, DeVaux stopped pursuing a degree and took a chance on her passion for horse racing, where she started as a hot walker for late trainer Chuck Simon. She set her sights on one day being an exercise rider.
On Saturday, DeVaux won鈥檛 be crossing Union Avenue as a hot walker, or riding and working them out on the Oklahoma Training Track. Five weeks after becoming the , she’ll watch Golden Tempo run in the at Saratoga Race Course to close out the Triple Crown.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing opportunity to get to spend with my family in the build-up and the week of,鈥� DeVaux said. 鈥淕etting to spend time with my family, the young ones that don鈥檛 get to come to the races 鈥� my nieces and nephews 鈥� so I鈥檓 really looking forward to the opportunity to share what I do with them.鈥�
DeVaux’s Derby celebration went viral as she celebrated with her family. But she was more excited about the victory than the history.
鈥淚 just see myself as a horse trainer,鈥� DeVaux said. 鈥淚 thought winning the Kentucky Derby was an achievable goal at some point in my career. It鈥檚 an honor to be the one that is the first female. But that鈥檚 not really what my focus is on.鈥�
DeVaux could become the second female trainer to win the Belmont in four years, following in 2023.
Janet Elliot, the only woman to be inducted into the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame as a trainer for her success in steeplechase, watched the Derby and was excited for DeVaux but shared the same sentiment.
鈥淚鈥檓 just a trainer,鈥� Elliot said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 feel like I was a woman in a man鈥檚 sport. I鈥檓 just doing my job, and that鈥檚 how I came about it.鈥�
After DeVaux worked for Simon, she transferred to work with Chad Brown as an assistant trainer. She said that time gave her valuable experience working with top-level horses.
DeVaux opened her own stable in 2018 based in Lexington, Kentucky, and has won some big races with horses like She Feels Pretty and Vahva. But, nothing beat the feeling of the Derby, when Golden Tempo to win as a 23-1 long shot.
Even though she is based in Kentucky and grew up in southwest Florida, Saratoga locals have shown a lot of support for DeVaux because of her ties to the area.
鈥淗aving a local connection always just amps up everything around here and the interest level,鈥� Saratoga Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said. 鈥淐herie, this year, is the rock star coming back to Saratoga, where she鈥檚 got family and friends and a community that has totally embraced the historic success she鈥檚 had, especially this year.鈥�
The Belmont taking place at Saratoga for the third and final time before returning to Belmont Park next year gives DeVaux a chance to celebrate in the winner’s circle at the place she started her career.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful track,鈥� DeVaux said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about horse racing. The whole town, that is their highlight and focus. It鈥檚 really exciting to be a part of that.鈥�
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