An 80-1 outsider won the 148th renewal of the Gr1 Kentucky Derby, in one of the biggest upsets in the history of America’s most celebrated horse race.
Sonny Leon keeps Rich Strike going to cause the upset (Pic – Churchill Downs)
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike was bought for just $30,000 – but landed the big cheque of $1.8m when he beat 80-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby after his trainer almost gave up five years ago when a barn fire killed 23 of his horses.
Now a two-time winner, Rich Strike wasn’t even in the Derby field until Friday when Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas scratched Ethereal Road
The horse was purchased by Rick Dawson, who races as RED TR-Racing LLC, for $30,000 last fall when the colt was entered in a low-level claiming race.
Rich Strike – ridden by Sonny Leon – stormed to victory at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The horse was only brought in on Friday after another had to drop out.
Rich Strike is the second longest shot to win the Run for the Roses after Donerail won at 91-1 odds in 1913.
Rich Strike pulled ahead down the stretch to beat favourite Epicenter, who was second, and Zandon, who was third.
It was the first Kentucky Derby win for trainer and Kentucky native Eric Reed.
“I fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” Mr Reed said.
“I passed out. I’m so happy. This is the reason everybody does this. We’re not supposed to be here but I knew this horse loved this track and he has been training so good all year.”
Watch the replay here – courtesy of NBC Sports
The trainer had considered walking away from the sport after he lost 23 horses in a barn fire in 2016.
Despite being the outsider, owner Rick Dawson did not seem surprised by the outcome.
“We always felt like if we could just get into the race, we’d have a shot, and we proved it today,” Mr Dawson said.
“We’ve never entered a race we didn’t think we could win. Ever.”
About 150 000 spectators attended Saturday’s race, including former President Donald Trump and rapper Drake.
In 2021, betting on the Kentucky Derby reached $233 million, up 85% from the year before, which was held without spectators because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
