What a Kentucky Derby! Rich Strike, an Alternate, Wins Big!

The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby was an amazing race.  I've watched it 10 times now, and I'm still amazed.  Watching it live, I saw the winner weaving through the field, and while the track announcer was concentrating on calling the duel between Epicenter and Zandon, I watched as Rich Strike was ridden to the last opening, squeezed through, and then he hit the after-burners.  He was in the lead before the announcer ever spoke his name.  It was a tremendously patient ride.  I loved every second of it.  - Then I had to run out of the house to get to work...  -  Once I returned home, I've watched it 9 more times.
   Rich Strike was the 21st horse in the postings for the 2022 Kentucky Derby - he was a "stand by" entry in case one of the first 20 entries had to scratch due to illness or lameness.  D. Wayne Lukas had to scratch Ethereal Road yesterday, and - suddenly - Rich Strike was a Derby contender.  Yesterday morning, his trainer and owner were discussing taking him to New York for his next possible race.  This evening, he is a Kentucky Derby winner.
   The chestnut colt was sired by Keen Ice; his dam is Gold Strike, by Smart Strike; and he was bred by Calumet Farm.  In September 2021, he was claimed for $30,000; he is the first claimed horse to ever win the Derby.  He has another record from today, too - he paid the second-highest for a $2 win bet in the Derby, with Donerail (who won the 1913 edition) paying $21.30 more.  Rich Strike paid $163.60 for a $2 win ticket.
   Rich Strike was in 18th place at the first call of the race; he bided his time, working his way up the pack, first on the outside, and then on the inside.  The patience and eye for holes of jockey Sonny Leon was amazing.  While most eyes (and the track announcer) were watching Epicenter and Zandon battle it out near mid-track, I watched Rich Strike slide through on the inside, collar, and pass the leaders - it was exhilarating!!  Trainer Eric Reed said his knees gave way after Rich Strike crossed the finish line.
   Rich Strike won the Kentucky Derby by 3/4 length in a time of 2:02.61; Epicenter was 3/4 length ahead of Zandon, who, in third place, defeated Simplification by 2 lengths.  The rest of the field crossed the finish line in the following order: 5th, Mo Donegal; 6th, Barber Road; 7th, Tawny Port; 8th, Smile Happy; 9th, Tiz the Bomb; 10th, Zozos; 11th, Classic Causeway; 12th, Taiba; 13th, Crown Pride (JPN); 14th, Happy Jack; 15th, Messier; 16th, White Abarrio; 17th, Charge It; 18th, Cyberknife; 19th, Pioneer of Medina; and 20th, Summer Is Tomorrow.
   The purse winnings were as follows:  Rich Strike, $1,860,000; Epicenter, $600,000; Zandon, $300,000; Simplification, $150,000; and Mo Donegal, $90,000.
   The betting payouts are listed for my usual $2 bets...  Rich Strike to Win paid $163.60; Epicenter to Place paid $7.40; and Zandon to Show paid $5.60.  A $2 Exacta paid $4,101.20; a Trifecta paid $29,741.40; and the Superfecta paid $643,000.20.

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