Rich Strike was not even supposed to be in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Ethereal Road was set to start in the No. 20 post, rounding out the field of horses in the race.
But Ethereal Road had to pull out Friday morning, moving Rich Strike into the race.
Despite the late notice, the extreme far-outside post and astounding 80-1 odds to win, Rich Strike, ridden by jockey Sonny Leon, pulled off the upset, powering ahead of favorites Epicenter and Zandon in deep stretch to win the 148th edition of the Run for the Roses.
"I don't know how [to put this in words], I fell down the paddock when he hit the wire, I about passed out. I'm so happy," trainer Eric Reed told NBC Sports after the race.
"This is something that's the reason everybody does this, because we're not supposed to be here. But I knew this horse loved the track (at Churchill Downs) and he's been training so good all year."
.@KentuckyDerby-winning trainer Eric Reed and his family were overcome with emotion following Rich Strike's longshot victory. ❤️#KyDerby pic.twitter.com/edqX0V3vbX
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 7, 2022
MORE: How much prize money is on offer at the Kentucky Derby?
Reed had never had a horse in the Kentucky Derby prior to this race. According to Blood Horse, Rich Strike was claimed by Reed for $30,000 after winning a race at Churchill Downs in September. Sonny Leon was Rich Strike's jockey during the race.
According to the Pekin Daily Times, Rich Strike had the second-longest odds of any horse to win the Kentucky Derby at 80-1, behind only Donerail in 1913 at 91-1 odds.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates during the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Follow for full results below.
Kentucky Derby 2022 finish order
| Order | Horse |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rich Strike |
| 2 | Epicenter |
| 3 | Zandon |
| 4 | Simplification |
| 5 | Mo Donegal |
| 6 | Barber Roar |
| 7 | Tawny Port |
| 8 | Smile Happy |
| 9 | Tiz the Bomb |
| 10 | Zozos |
| 11 | Classic Causeway |
| 12 | Taliba |
| 13 | Crown Pride |
| 14 | Happy Jack |
| 15 | Messier |
| 16 | White Abarrio |
| 17 | Charge It |
| 18 | Cyberknife |
| 19 | Pioneer of Medina |
| 20 | Summer of Tomorrow |
Watch the Kentucky Derby 2022
Kentucky Derby live updates, highlights, results
(All times Eastern)
7:08 p.m.: The unofficial top four: Rich Strike, Epicenter, Zandon and Simplification. Rich Strike was at 80-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.
7:04 p.m.: Rich Strike is the unofficial winner of the race, stunning Epicenter and Zandon, who were battling for the lead near the end.
What an upset!! Watch the #KyDerby. pic.twitter.com/IdUPthNO4p
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 7, 2022
7:03 p.m.: Crown Pride takes the lead at the 3/4 mile mark.
7:02 p.m.: Summer is Tomorrow is leading through the first half of the race.
7:02 p.m.: They're off.
7:00 p.m.: The horses are being loaded at the gates.
6:48 p.m.: Getting closer to the start of the race. Riders are out on their horses now.
"Riders up!" - @jackharlow
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 7, 2022
The @KentuckyDerby is next on @NBC and @peacockTV.
💻 : https://t.co/40ws854ddW pic.twitter.com/Vd8jTouKHy
6:30 p.m.: Mattress Mack is back on the sports betting scene. He's putting his money on Epicenter.
About 30 mins until post time and Epicenter and Taiba are both listed at 5-1, but there is $303,362 more on Epicenter. And Mattress Mack is in line to bet $1.5 million+ on one of them. The bet he is about to make should establish the favorite: pic.twitter.com/MhJcrQd333
— Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) May 7, 2022
Mattress Mack is placing over $1 MILLION on Epicenter (5-1) to win the @KentuckyDerby, but are @SteveKornacki and Eddie Olczyk riding with the same horse? 👀#KyDerby | @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/Bb9C15lSyf
— NBC Sports EDGE Betting (@NBCSportsBet) May 7, 2022
Kentucky Derby odds and post positions
Below is the full list of starting spots along with the odds for each horse to win the Kentucky Derby.
| Post position | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mo Donegal | $13 |
| 2 | Happy Jack | $61 |
| 3 | Epicenter | $6.00 |
| 4 | Summer is Tomorrow | $81 |
| 5 | Smile Happy | $21 |
| 6 | Messier | $11 |
| 7 | Crown Pride | $21 |
| 8 | Charge It | $13 |
| 9 | Tiz The Bomb | $23 |
| 10 | Zandon | $4.80 |
| 11 | Pioneer of Medina | $41 |
| 12 | Taiba | $8.50 |
| 13 | Simplification | $26 |
| 14 | Barber Road | $41 |
| 15 | White Abarrio | $14 |
| 16 | Cyberknife | $19 |
| 17 | Classic Causeway | $26 |
| 18 | Tawny Port | $31 |
| 19 | Zozos | $26 |
| 20 | Ethereal Road | $61 |
| 21 (1E) | Rick Strike | $81 |
| 22 (2E) | Rattle N Roll | $61 |
*Odds via TAB