Medina Spirit Refuses To Yield In Kentucky Derby Upset
May 02, 2021
History was made on Saturday at Churchill Downs when Medina Spirit sprung a 12-1 upset in the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1), giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the “Run for the Roses.”
Under a perfect ride from John Velazquez, Medina Spirit didn’t waste any time securing the lead, dashing to the front through fractions of 23:09, :46.70, and 1:11.21. Soup and Sandwich and Mandaloun were his closest pursuers, while 5-2 favorite Essential Quality bided his time in sixth place.
Turning for home, Medina Spirit met challenges from Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie, and the wide-rallying Essential Quality. But the determined longshot leader refused to yield, turning back every bid to win by half a length in the closest Kentucky Derby finish since 2005.
The final time for 1 1/4 miles over a fast track was 2:01.02. Mandaloun held for second place over Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality, followed distantly by O Besos, Midnight Bourbon, Keepmeinmind, Helium, Known Agenda, Highly Motivated, Sainthood, Like the King, Bourbonic, Hidden Stash, Brooklyn Strong, Super Stock, Rock Your World, Dynamic One, and Soup and Sandwich. King Fury scratched.
For John Velazquez, the victory marked his fourth win in the Kentucky Derby, following Animal Kingdom (2011), Always Dreaming (2017), and Authentic (2020). On Friday, Velazquez guided Malathaat to victory in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), making Velazquez the first jockey to sweep the Oaks/Derby double since 2009.
Medina Spirit is a son of Protonico out of the Brilliant Speed mare Mongolian Changa. Sold for just $1,000 as a yearling, and for $35,000 as a two-year-old, Medina Spirit entered the Kentucky Derby off a runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), becoming the first Kentucky Derby winner since 2010 to parlay a defeat in his final prep into victory on the first Saturday in May.
For bettors, Medina Spirit returned $26.20 to win, $12.00 to place, and $7.60 to show. Mandaloun paid $23.00 to place and $13.40 to show, while Hot Rod Charlie returned $5.20. The rest of the payoffs are listed below:
$2 Exacta, 8/7, $503.60
50-cent Trifecta, 8,7,9, $848.45
$1 Superfecta, 8/7/9/14, $9.456.40
$1 Super High Five, 8/7/9/14/6, $296,769,60
$1 Double, 3/8, $26.40
$1 Double, 5/8, $62.60
50-cent Pick 3, 4/3/8, $73.15
50-cent Pick 3, 4/5/8, $163.05
50-cent Pick 4, 5/4/3,5/8, $708.15
50-cent Pick 5, 2,3/5/4/3,5/8, $2,974.85
20-cent Pick 6, 4/2,3/5/4/3,5/8, $1,363.90
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