Kentucky Derby 2022: Super long shot 80-1 Rich Strike wins No. 148

Wow ... for lack of a better term ... repeat, wow! Trainer Eric Reed saddled Rich Strike #21, the longest shot on the board for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. Bred by Calumet Farm, the horse was a $30k "claimer," when RED TR-Racing, LLC. took the colt on last fall. Just getting his colt by Keen Ice into the big race was an accomplishment, and it only happened on Friday when D.W. Lukas' Ethereal Road scratched. At odds of 80/1, most 'cappers shied-away-from backing the Reed runner, and it was only the most daring bettors that took a shot with him. Looking back over his prior form, you could make the case that there were "bright spots" (he did break his maiden at Churchill Downs in his 2nd career race). However, let's face it, this was a stunning upset of epic proportions, and reminds all of us that anything can happen with Thoroughbreds when they are circumventing a track ... even when it is the Kentucky Derby.

With a fast track, and no rain present, it was time to renew this American tradition ... it was Number 148, if you weren't counting. The Kentucky Derby was greenlit, post-COVID restrictions, with a capacity crowd of some 150,000 in attendance. A full field of 20 was present, and all week it was apparent that no clear 3-yr-old would serve as the "prohibitive favorite." Could a long shot win the "Run for the Roses?" What we did know is it was slated to be a titanic contest, when it was all said and done. About 30 minutes before 6:50 p.m. EST, the great bettor, Jim McIngvale (known affectionately as "Mattress Mack"), plopped down $1.5 million on Steve Asmussen's Epicenter #3 (driving his odds down to around 4/1 by race time). This was a colt owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds that swept through the Louisiana Series, and with Joel Rosario aboard, was thought to have a legitimate chance to give the HOF conditioner his 1st KYD victory. Other entries that took money included Chad Brown's Zandon #10, and Tim Yakteen's Taiba #12 ... here we go ...

Loading into the gate, as hearts began to pick up the pace, it was time for the break ... Rich Strike #21, ridden by local Ohio-based jockey Sonny Leon, was the last to go in. NBC Sports' Mike Tirico commented that his mount had only just gotten into the Derby (saying, "You never know what will happen") ... After a short delay, the race was on! During the "cavalry charge," it was apparent that the pair of international runners, Summer Is Tomorrow #4, and Crown Pride #7, were bound and determined to be on, or close to the lead. Rounding the 1st turn, they vied for that top spot, setting some torrid fractions in the process. The 1/2 clock read ... 45.36 ... at that pace, they were looking at a possible record, but it also meant that horses towards the middle or rear of the field might have the opportunity to "go" late. The 3/4 pole arrived, and the time posted was 1:10.34, and that is about the time that John Velazquez, aboard Messier #6, split the pair of imports, and rounded the final turn to take a a tenuous lead. While all this "on the engine" action was taking place, it was Asmussen's Epicenter #3 (5-lengths off-the-lead), Brown's Zandon #10,(9-lengths off-the-lead), and Reed's Rich Strike #21 (18-lengths off-the-lead), that were working harder and harder ... trying to make-up ground.

At this point, it looked as though Leon and his colt would have a "Wall" of horses to confront, but the jockey did not lose focus. He found ways to duck in and out of traffic, and instead of sweeping wide, losing momentum, he was able to get to the rail once the top of the lane arrived ... at this point, he had made up some 12-lengths on the leaders, who were Epicenter #3 and then Zandon #10. As that pair began to try to find the wire, dueling later and later in the stretch, Rich Strike #21 had one more horse to dodge. Taking his mount off the rail, he cut to the 2-path, and accelerated around Messier #6, who was severely fading. Then with one more "ask," the 3-yr-old accelerated towards the wire. His targets were the "favorites" that 'cappers had discussed and discussed for the past few months. Leon took aim, and as they began to fade, he shot forward, winning over Epicenter #3 by 3/4ths of a length. The Kentucky Derby ... Number 148 ... now went into the books ... the 2nd longest-priced horse in Derby history had just won. 

What went through Sonny Leon's mind as he crossed the wire? How about Eric Reed? Or the owners, RED TR-Racing, LLC.? They had flipped the script ... overturned the applecart ... got home with a boxcar, and upset "Mack's" chalk. Was this a "bad beat," as some might suggest? Maybe ... Or Reed had a "ringer" in his midst (a son of Keen Ice), whose sire turned out to be the only horse that ever beat American Pharoah. However you slice it ... this was horse racing ... and it was a thrill to watch. Now, it is on to the Preakness on 21 May, and we will have to see if the new Champion will be making the trip to Baltimore. In the meantime, Eric Reed, Sonny Leon, the connections, and Rich Strike #21 just won the Kentucky Derby at 80/1 ...

With some $75 million in the WPS Pool, here are the Payouts ...

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