Medina Spirit shocked racing fans Saturday when he won the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by jockey John R. Velazquez and trained by Bob Baffert, the horse entered the race with 12-1 odds.
The win gives esteemed trainer Bob Baffert his record-breaking seventh Derby win. The win gave Velazquez his fourth Derby win and second in as many years. Last year, the trainer and jockey teamed up to win the pandemic delayed Kentucky Derby with Authentic in September.
“That little horse has got such a big heart,” said Baffert of Medina Spirit.
Mandaloun came in second, Hot Rod Charlie finished third, and Derby’s favorite Essential Quality rounded out the top four. O Besos finished fifth, followed by Midnight Bourbon, Keepmeinmind, Helium, and Known Agenda. Highly Motivated was 10th, ahead of Sainthood, Like The King, Bourbonic, Hidden Stash, Brooklyn Strong, Super Stock, Rock Your World, Dynamic One, and Soup and Sandwich.
This year marks a return to in-person spectators for the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. The race took place with no one in the stands last year amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This year’s crowd hit 51,838 people, the biggest since the pandemic started.
The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, will be held on May 15. The Belmont Stakes will follow it on June 5.
