There are upsets in sports, then there’s what Rich Strike did at the 2022 Kentucky Derby.
As the race neared its end, it appeared as though we’d see anything but an upset. Epicenter and Zandon, two of the post time favorites, appeared locked in a battle to the wire. Then, the ultimate longshot entered the chat.
Rich Strike, who went off at 80/1, surged past both to win the Run for the Roses.
An absolutely stunning upset!
Rich Strike WINS the @KentuckyDerby! #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/2pVcVnPq2N
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 7, 2022
He even showed some attitude in the moments after the race.
Rich Strike wins the Derby and immediately starts trying to eat the other horses. https://t.co/hFJ5jOy1z4
— Shannon The Dude (@ShannonTheDude) May 7, 2022
It was the second-biggest upset in the race’s long history and the single biggest upset in more than 100 years.
Longest odds to win the #KentuckyDerby
Donerail (1913) 91-1
Rich Strike (2022) 80-1
Country House (2019) 65-1— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 7, 2022
And even that doesn’t tell the full story. Just one day before the Derby, Rich Strike was not even in the field. But on Friday, Ethereal Road scratched from the race. With that, the eventual champion was in.
Rich Strike was not a household name when the race began. But two minutes later, that changed. After the Kentucky Derby came to an end, the longshot champion had earned himself a new legion of fans.
Rich Strike is the first horse I’ve ever been a fan of.
Strolls in like he owned the place despite the fact he wasn’t even supposed to be there. Torched the favorites in the home stretch. Then immediately fights other horses.
Brilliant. Absolutely love it.#KentuckyDerby
— Ranks (@E_Ranks) May 7, 2022
WOWWWWW WHAT AN UPSET!!!! RICH STRIKE wins the Derby!!!!!
— Julie Stewart-Binks (@JSB_TV) May 7, 2022
if you heard a neighbor scream it’s probably because they placed a joke bet on a horse named Rich Strike and just got paid 80-1 #DerbyDay
— shauna (@goldengateblond) May 7, 2022
Rich Strike at 80-1 odds just became the second longest shot to EVER win the Kentucky Derby 🐎 🐎 🐎
What a race!
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 7, 2022
Rich Strike finding out he was 80-1. pic.twitter.com/DI9c9Wa6yv
— Volunterror (@Volunterror) May 7, 2022
80-1?!?!?!?
Rich Strike best named horse ever?
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) May 7, 2022
Rich Strike may get flagged for excessive celebration.
— Paul Pabst (@PaulPabst) May 7, 2022
I remember covering Kentucky Derby 131 in 2005, when Giacomo, at 50-1, won and 71-1 Closing Argument finished second. Told myself then never to count out the long shot again. And, of course, I didn't even consider Rich Strike today (80-1). Insane upset. Loved it.
— Jerry Brewer (@JerryBrewer) May 7, 2022
What a FINISH! 🔥🔥🔥 Rich Strike #KentuckyDerby 80-1 Odds coming in!???
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) May 7, 2022
80-1?! Rich Strike just upset the world and is now trying to fight other horses.
king.
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) May 7, 2022
Rich Strike wins the #KentuckyDerby2022 – odds were 80-1. First time owner, first time jockey. Horse was entered as an alternate. One of the greatest upsets ever.
— Ron Futrell (@RonFutrell) May 7, 2022
Next up is the second leg of the Triple Crown, The Preakness Stakes. That race will be held on Saturday, May 21. We can only assume that Rich Strike’s prerace odds will be a little different than they were at the Kentucky Derby.
