WATCH: Rich Strike wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby as incredible longshot
After a thrilling race in front of a full-capacity crowd, incredible longshot Rich Strike won the 2022 Kentucky Derby, with favorite Epicenter coming in second. It was the first time in three years that the legendary race at Churchill Downs hosted a full capacity crowd, after having to cut attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rich Strike won the race, with Epicenter coming in second and Zandon finished third.
The upset was so incredible — coming in at 80-1 odds by post time — a $2 bet on Rich Strike would pay $163.60. Just picking Rich Strike to Show(coming in third place or better) would pay $29.40 on a $2 bet.
Rich Strike wins Kentucky Derby
In front of more than 100,000 spectators filling the stands and infield, the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby ended with remarkable longshot Rich Strike winning. The crowd began trickling in for the race early, helping the race recapture the special feel of a crowd that has been absent for the past three years.
They were treated to one of the most incredible upset wins in the history of racing. Rich Strike entered the race with 80-1 odds and didn’t appear in contention until the final stretch. With race-favorite Epicenter taking the lead down the stretch, it appeared to be his race — before Rich Strike’s dramatic finish down the stretch. The finish was the second-largest longshot victory in the history of the Derby, second only to Donerail’s winning of the 1913 Kentucky Derby at 91-1 odds.
Coming into the morning of the race, Zandon was named a 3-1 favorite, but his odds had slipped to 7-1 by afternoon. Zandon, bred in Kentucky, was trained by Chad Brown who was looking for his first Derby win. Jockey Flavien Prat won the 2019 Derby while riding Country House.
Another race favorite was Epicenter, who was second in oddsmaking during the morning line. By afternoon however, Epicenter had passed Zandon with 5-1 odds. Epicenter’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, was 0-for-23 coming into the race with Derby appearances. Epicenter began the race as the odds-on favorite with 4-1 odds.
Other horses entering the race as favorites were Taiba and Messier, rounding out the top-four favorites. As of race time, final odds listed Epicenter at 4-1, Taiba as 5-1, with Zandon and Messier both at 6-1.