Rich Strike pulls off second-largest Kentucky Derby shock in history

Rich Strike came rushing up the rail for an 80-1 shock in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with favorites Epicenter and Zandon fighting in front.

Rich Strike, ridden by Sonny Leon, came from last in the 20-horse field to win by three-quarters of a length over 4-1 favorite Epicenter.

In front of a crowd that included former US President Donald Trump, Zandon finished third by three-quarters of a length at Churchill Downs.

“When he hit the wire, I almost fell down in the paddock,” winning trainer Eric Reed remarked. “I was going to pass out.”

Rich Strike paid $163.60 to win, the second-largest upset in the race’s 148-year history. Only Donerail had a greater payoff of $184.90 in 1913.

Rich Strike clocked a time of 2:02.61 for one and a quarter miles.

Rich Strike chomped the pony that escorted him to the winner’s circle after taking a bite out of his far more expensive competitor.

Rich Strike didn’t even make the Derby lineup until Friday, when Hall of Fame trainer D Wayne Lukas scratched Ethereal Road to make place for Eric Reed’s chestnut colt.

Dawson stated, “We found out about 30 seconds before the deadline on Friday.”

“It put us in the race, and we always thought if we just got in, we’d have a chance.”

Both Leon and Reed, both from Venezuela, were competing in their first Derby. Leon rides on local circuits all the time, including Ohio.

Reed suffered a tragedy five years ago when nearly two dozen horses died in a barn fire at his Lexington training site.

Leon’s rail trip recalled Calvin Borel’s clandestine maneuver aboard Mine That Bird in 2009.

Mine That Bird caused the Derby’s third-largest upset at the time, winning for $103.20.

“I think I got this race,” Leon stated as he approached the last 70 yards.

When former owner Calumet Farm entered Rich Strike in a low-level claiming race last fall, Dawson, who competes as RED TR-Racing LLC, paid $30,000 for the colt.

Brad Kelley, the owner of Calumet Farm, may now regret his decision.

Calumet Farm had a record eight Kentucky Derby victories, but none since 1968, when Forward Pass was disqualified from first place.

Rich Strike took home $1.86 million for his second career win. Last month, the colt was defeated by Zandon in the Blue Grass Stakes, and in March, he was defeated by Epicenter in the Louisiana Derby.

Mo Donegal was fifth and Simplification was fourth.