Rich Strike wins Kentucky Derby in massive upset

Rich Strike (R), with jockey Sonny Leon aboard, crosses the finish line to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday. Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI | License Photo

May 7 (UPI) — Rich Strike scored one of the biggest upsets in the 148-year-history of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., rallying up the rail to upset 19 better-fancied rivals just hour after got into the race as a replacement runner.

Rich Strike followed a blazing pace set by the two foreign runners, found himself perfectly placed as the field hit the final furlong and made his winning move along the rail.

Epicenter, the favorite, was second, Zandon, the third favorite, was third.

Rich Strike, a Keene Ice colt, was claimed for $30,000 by trainer Eric Reed last September from breeders Calumet Farm. He was not supposed to be in the field, drawing in as an also-eligible Friday morning when Ethereal Road was scratched.

“I don’t know,” Reed said when asked how his bargain-basement colt won America’s biggest race. “I fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” Reed said.

Owner Rich Dawson said he wasn’t surprised.

“We would never, ever put a horse in a race we didn’t think we could win,” Dawson said.

The race set up for jockey Sonny Leon when Summer Is Tomorrow and Crown Pride, both last raced in Dubai, set a blistering early pace. That cleared the way for the closers.

Asked his chances for the second jewel of the Triple Crown, Reed said, “I think they’re real good.”

Grooms wash down their horses after morning workouts May 5 as they prepare for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo