Birthday boy beats derby odds

By Dana Kampa
| 11:30 a.m. May 5, 2026

Don Schultz of Windward Bay celebrates as his top pick, Golden Tempo, crosses the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby. Schultz was the only person at the watch party to pick the long-shot horse.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Windward Bay residents cheered on Kentucky Derby contestants at a themed watch party May 2. Attendees donned their best derby-worthy hats and sipped mint juleps while cheering on horses racing in the 152nd elite competition.

The celebration held a special surprise for resident Don Schultz, who was the only one to correctly predict the long-shot win of Golden Tempo, coming up from dead last to win.

This get-together fell before Schultz's 90th birthday in July, and friends surprised him with a cake and an American flag that had previously flown above the Washington, D.C., Capitol building, recognizing his military service.

"If anybody can keep me young, it's my wife, Diane," he told partygoers.

Kentucky Derby fans joined in the Windward Bay watch party on May 2. Pictured, Marjorie Davis, Kevin and Maura Brennan, Michelle Morley, Dianne Schultz, Steve Morley, Bobbi Steiner, John Katko and Don Schultz.

Saturday's elite horse-racing competition was the 152nd in the history of the Kentucky Derby. Golden Tempo pulled off a long-shot win.

John Katko, a former U.S. representative, presents veteran Don Schultz with an American flag flown above the Washington D.C. Capitol building for his surprise 90th birthday celebration following the Kentucky Derby watch party on May 2 at Windward Bay.

Dianne Schultz and Marjorie Davis wear their on-theme hats for the Kentucky Derby watch party.

Windward Bay watch party attendees debate their top picks before the Kentucky Derby race starts.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.