Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Golden Tempo

Can Golden Tempo go where no son of Curlin has gone before: to the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner’s circle? It’s a distinct possibility after the bay colt stormed from last place to win the Lecomte (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Coming off a debut victory sprinting six furlongs, Golden Tempo relished stretching out over 1 1/16 miles in the Lecomte. He launched an eye-catching rail rally to prevail by three-quarters of a length. His pedigree suggests he’ll relish the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby, even though the Run for the Roses has proven to be an elusive prize for Curlin and his sons.

In terms of combined prowess on track and at stud, Curlin ranks among the all-time great racehorses. He was a tremendous performer over classic distances, winning the Preakness (G1), Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Dubai World Cup (G1), and two editions of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). Along the way, he earned two Horse of the Year titles.

One of Curlin’s relatively few defeats came in the 2007 Kentucky Derby. He was unbeaten at the time and started as the 5-1 second choice, but he could only rally belatedly to finish third by eight lengths. He redeemed himself in the Preakness and later finished a close second in the Belmont (G1).

Curlin has passed on his classic ability at stud. The list of elite route racers he’s sired goes on and on. Vino Rosso won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Idiomatic and Malathaat nabbed the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Good Magic prevailed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Journalism and Exaggerator took the Preakness. Palace Malice starred in the Belmont. Bright Future, Global Campaign, Highland Falls, Idol, Keen Ice, and Nest have all won Grade 1 races over 1 1/4 miles.

But Curlin has yet to sire a Kentucky Derby winner. He’s come mighty close: Exaggerator, Good Magic, and Journalism have all finished second in the Run for the Roses. There’s no reason to think Curlin can’t sire a Kentucky Derby winner, but if Golden Tempo pulls it off, he’ll make history where Curlin and his other sons have previously faltered.

Bolstering Golden Tempo’s Kentucky Derby credentials is a strong female family.

Golden Tempo is the first winning foal produced by Carrumba, a daughter of Bernardini out of the El Prado mare Castanet. Carrumba was a capable route racer, winning the 1 1/8-mile Top Flight H. (G3) and finishing third against an excellent field in the 1 1/16-mile Ogden Phipps (G1).

Carrumba surely inherited some of her class and stamina from Bernardini, the champion three-year-old male of 2006 after winning the Preakness, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Travers (G1) over classic distances. He tended to pass on stamina at stud. Some of his best runners included Travers winners Stay Thirsty and Alpha, Pegasus World Cup (G1) conqueror Art Collector, and Woodward (G1) hero To Honor and Serve.

But Bernardini is compiling an even stronger record as a broodmare sire. In 2025, his daughter Crowned made headlines as the dam of Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Travers, during a powerful campaign. In both the Derby and the Belmont, Sovereignty defeated Curlin’s son Journalism.

Other daughters of Bernardini have foaled Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero Nysos, Travers winner Catholic Boy, and multiple Grade 1 winners Clairiere, Colonel Liam, La Cara, and Maxfield.

The specific cross of Curlin with Bernardini mares has proven highly effective. It’s yielded Clairiere, a four-time-Grade 1 winning route racer; Paris Lights, winner of the Coach Club American Oaks (G1); Point of Honor, a Black-Eyed Susan (G2) winner who placed five times at the Grade 1 level; Cornishman, triumphant in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G3); Cezanne, winner of multiple graded stakes sprinting; Spice Is Nice, winner of the Allaire DuPont Distaff (G3); and Travers third-place finisher Miles D.

Getting back to Carrumba, her dam, Castanet, failed to win in two starts. But she likely contributes additional stamina to Golden Tempo’s pedigree through her sire, El Prado. A Group 1-winning grass racer, El Prado sired top-tier runners on dirt and turf alike, including multiple Grade 1 winner Medaglia d’Oro and champion Kitten’s Joy.

Both Medaglia d’Oro and Kitten’s Joy have enjoyed successful stud careers of their own. Medaglia d’Oro has sired Kentucky Oaks (G1) winners Good Cheer, Plum Pretty, and Rachel Alexandra; the latter also won the Preakness. Kitten’s Joy is responsible for an impressive array of major grass stars, including Breeders’ Cup winners Stephanie’s Kitten, Oscar Performance, and Bobby’s Kitten.

With classic stamina emanating from every corner of his pedigree, Golden Tempo may be one of Curlin’s most promising Kentucky Derby contenders to date.