Kentucky Derby to Rich Strike
WASHINGTON - Rich Strike, an 80-1 long shot who got into the field only on Friday, pulled off a stunning upset in the 148th Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
The colt, trained by Eric Reed and ridden by Sonny Leon, gained a place in the field when Ethereal Road was scratched.
He powered ahead in the final straight of the 2,000m race to snatch the victory in the final strides at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Zandon and Epicenter, two of the favourites in a wide-open field of 20, were duelling down the stretch, after overtaking Japanese raider, Crown Pride.
But Rich Strike surged past on the inside for the greatest upset in terms of odds since 1913, when 91-1 long shot Donerail won the first event in US flat racing’s Triple Crown.
Epicenter, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Joel Rosario, finished second.
Zandon, trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Flavien Prat, was third. - AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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