By Oscar C. Woodall, Jr. | HayWood Media
Louisville, Ky Saturday, May 7, 2022 – Saturday, May 7th was Derby Day in Kentucky, where Messier, a heavy 8-1 favorite, trained by Tim Yakteen and ridden by jockey John Velazquez, lost the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, finishing 15th among the 20-horse field, the largest field ever allowed for a Kentucky Derby race. However, it was 80-1 long shot Rich Strike, who won the 1.25-mile race, doing so on a fast track in 2:02.61 and by three quarters of a length in front of 4-1 shot Epicenter who was trained by Steven M. Asmussen and topped by Jockey Joel Rosario. The show horse was 6-1 shot Zendon, trained by Chad C. Brown and topped by jockey Flavien Prat.
For getting the upset win, Rich Strike, paid $163.60. Epicenter paid $7.40 for placing and Zendon, paid $5.60 for showing, followed in succession by:
4. 35 – 1 Simplification
5. 10 – 1 Mo Donegal
6. 60 – 1 Barber Road
7. 80 – 1 Tawny Port
8. 14 – 1 Smile Happy
9. 31 – 1 Tiz the Bomb
10. 48 – 1 Zozos
11. 78 – 1 Classic Causeway
12. 5 – 1 Taiba
13. 17 – 1 Crown Pride
14. 23 – 1 Happy Jack
15. 8 – 1 Messier
16. 15 – 1 White Abarrio
17. 16 – 1 Charge It
18. 14 – 1 Cyberknife
19. 48 – 1 Pioneer of Medina
20. 36 – 1 Summer Is Tomorrow
With jockey Sonny Leon on top, Rich Strike, trained by Eric Reed, had to pass by 17 horses on the second turn, to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby in an upset. And in doing so he got his second career victory, took home the Garland of roses traditionally draped around the neck of the Derby’s wining horse, and he earned $1.86 million for his owner, Rick Dawson.
But, to tell you just how big this upset was, Rich Strike, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs, last September, had lost to Epicenter this past March in the Louisiana Derby, a grade 2 race held each March at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. And he lost to zandon, last month in the G-1 Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, held each April at Lexington, Kentucky’s keeneland race course.
In addition, Rich Strike was entered into the Derby late as an also eligible, on Monday, May 2, just five days prior to becoming the second greatest long shot in history to win the Derby, but, he did not earn a spot in the race until Friday morning, May 7, when trainer D. Wayne Lukas chose to scratch Ethereal Road.
Next up for Rich Strike is the May 21st Preakness Stakes, a 9.5 furlongs (1 3/16 mile) G-1 race that is run on a on a dirt track, much like the Derby. But, the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown is held each year on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
-HWM-