80-1 shot Rich Strike races to huge upset in Kentucky Derby

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By BETH HARRIS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Anyone anticipating a return to normalcy in the Kentucky Derby got a dose of crazy Saturday when an 80-1 shot came charging up the rail to win at Churchill Downs.

With favorite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby’s 148-year history.

The chestnut colt beat 4-1 favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length. Zandon finished another three-quarters of a length back in third.

“I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” winning trainer Eric Reed said. “I about passed out.”



Rich Strike (21), with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-derby-sports-fc7eacba35d5455b152c9c80eda88a5e

[Marthe48]

1. It was fantastic

I don't get cable tv and had to wait for a film clip to post of You Tube. I had already heard the results, but even so, I had to watch the race twice to see the brilliant moves. The announcer only mentioned Rich Strike once during the race, and as the finish line came near, focused on the frontrunners Epicenter and Zandon, then realized that Rich Strike was pouring it on to pass them and win the race. He even had a bit left when he zoomed across the finish line.

I hope he runs in the Belmont Stakes. I think he's got the stamina to run the longer track.

[catchnrelease]

4. Same here

I never watch the races 'live', in case there is some accident. So I also watched a replay and twice so I could follow Rich Strike as he moved up in the group. I had to laugh as the race caller was so focused on the two leaders and all of a sudden RS pulls past in the background. It was like he wondered 'Where did you come from??'

A really fast race and nicely done by Rich Strike and his jockey.

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Could you please share the YouTube link? TIA. ❤

[MissB]

8. here

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Thanks! ❤

[Marthe48]

19. Thanks for sharing the link

I went to bed early

[CottonBear]

18. Check out this amazing overhead drone video:

Link to tweet

[blue neen]

27. This overhead view really shows what an amazing race Rich Strike ran!

Brilliant jockey, really fast horse.

[Evolve Dammit]

2. Love it when the long shot/ dark horse wins. Beautiful horse.

[mitch96]

16. "80-1 shot "? Cynical me thinks the "fix" was in... I knew a guy, who knew a guy

who's next door neighbors cousin was in the mob... He said they were all fixed..just sayin'.
ymmv
m

[The Wizard]

3. A perfect ride and

a willing horse.

[GoldandSilver]

5. Kudos to Rich Strike and team! The Derby was exciting for first time in years.

[TomSlick]

6. Amazing race.

I've watched it a few times and it's still not possible.

[MissB]

11. It's like the camera changes angles and then suddenly he's halfway up the pack

I had to watch it several times too.

[Bayard]

13. He was definitely motoring

And had enough juice left at the end to terrorize his lead pony.

He must have made a few people a bunch of money. On to the Preakness!

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Did Trump say the Derby was "rigged"?

[Emile]

15. Did Kornacki pick the winner?

[jumptheshadow]

23. No

He showed us some graphics about how the race has become friendlier to horses that run near the front of the pack. (Rich Strike had an epic come-from-behind ride.)

[bucolic_frolic]

17. Either that was an overperforming horse or one very smart jockey

He hung back in the pack and took the inside, shortest distance around the track so the horse had max kick at the finish line.

[paleotn]

20. Answer is probably...yes, plus a bunch of random events.

Tactics. Horse and jockey just happen to be having a good day. Random shifting of the other horses clearing out the rail towards the end. Planets aligned. A butterfly flapped its wings in Indonesia last Monday...and on and on. Horse and jockey weren't even in the field until a day before, when Ethereal Road was scratched.

It's not that they weren't supposed to win. Low probability events do happen. Even very low probability events. Just not all that often, so the payout or downside can be huuuge.

[stopdiggin]

26. wasn't on the inside the whole trip

but 100% on the jockey putting the horse where he needed to be. And the horse!!! Both brilliant!

[planetc]

21. I always like to imagine what the horse was thinking.

This horse might have been thinking: "It's a horse race, right? I can be first if I want. Heh, heh. Watch this!"

[malthaussen]

22. Sonny Leon rode a good race.

He took advantage of every opportunity as it opened. Rich Strike started on the far outside, too, which is a more difficult position to win from.

-- Mal

[Deep State Witch]

24. I'm Just Glad

That the horse owned by my MIL's late husband's family didn't win.

Long story - my MIL married a guy who had been her next-door neighbor in Florida. They had been friends for several years. After their respective spouses passed, they hooked up. His one son owns a racing stable in Kentucky. His horses mainly race in Florida, NY and Kentucky. He has had Derby entries, but the only one that won was one that he was a minority owner of. Anyway, the family were complete a-holes to my MIL, who grew up poor and was definitely Not Their Kind. But she loved Bob and took care of him. His son swooped in to put him in the best nursing home available. Then when the bills started adding up, he wanted my MIL to pay them! She wound up spending most of her time with him, and was there when he died. After he died, his rich-ass son was carrying on about how my MIL had killed his dad, wanted his bank accounts, etc. He even barred her from her husband's funeral! Other than one granddaughter, the guy's entire family has been total scumbags. Naturally, they're Republicans.

So yeah. I didn't want anything to happen to the horse, other than to have a nice, leisurely run and come in last.

[Cheezoholic]

25. The back story for the horse in this race was pretty wild

The fact he wasn't even in the lineup until another horse scratched Friday. First time for the owner, the trainer, and jockey in the derby. The owner purchased the horse for only 30k dollars (cheap as thoroughbreds go). The tragedy of losing 26 of 40 horses in a stable fire 2 years ago and nearly calling it quits. I read another story that nobody gave this horse half a chance in any race let alone the derby because he was basically rebellious and lazy. Sure had a Sea Biscuity feel to it.

Oh, and I've been betting 10 dollars on the longshot in the derby for nearly 20 years. I figured, hey it could happen some day. Plus I thought the horses name was Red Stripe, like the beer lol. Well "Red Stripe" covered all my past derby bets plus a 600 dollar kicker

[stollen]

28. Rich Strike may become another Silky Sullivan

https://vimeo.com/150691886