Louisville, Q. ( Associated Press) — The latest in the 148th race of the Kentucky Derby (all time EDT):
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7:35 pm
Rich Strike, an 80-1 long shot, only entered Kentucky Derby territory on Friday as a last-minute replacement for Ethereal Road, with one of the biggest upsets in Derby history for bookmakers. Paid big.
The horse paid $163.60, $74.20 and $29.40 as the winner on the 3/4 length fast track on the favorite Epicenter, returning $7.40 and $5.20 for second. Early favorite Xandon paid $5.60 for the show.
7:20 pm
Longshot and final entry Rich Strike beat favorites Epicenter and Xandon to cross the finish line first in the 148th Kentucky Derby.
The Eric Reid-trainer colt was also eligible and entered the 20-horse arena on Friday after scratching the ether road. He started out with an 80-1 margin with Sonny Leone, but charged behind Messier to catch and pass the leaders and run 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.61.
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7:07 pm
Longshot and final entry Rich Strike beat favorites Epicenter and Xandon to cross the finish line first in the 148th Kentucky Derby.
The horse entered the field on Friday after scratching the ether road and starting out, but charged up the stretch to pass the leaders and ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.61.
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6:50 pm
Former President Donald Trump arrived at Churchill Downs for his $75,000 per capita fundraiser around 6 p.m. His entrance was shielded from the general public and the press. He was brought to the track via a side hallway that was used by caterers and staff, where his crew erected an American flag and a Kentucky flag to greet him. Before their arrival, employees pulled curtains to ward off the press and the public, guarded by FBI agents in camouflage with automatic rifles.
The whispers of Trump’s arrival passed through the standing crowd for twenty minutes. Some shouted his name, “Trump, Trump, Trump.” Others were irritated by the delay.
“That’s ridiculous,” murmured one woman.
Some got a glimpse of the former president through a small break in the curtain and a ruckus erupted from among the crowd.
Some rejoiced, some entered the high-priced clubhouses on the upper floors as former presidents.
Then the curtains were torn and everyone went their separate ways.
Details of Trump’s event, including who is in attendance, were not made public.
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5:40 pm
Bets are throwing their money behind Epicenter and Taiba, beating Xandon as Kentucky Derby favorite less than 75 minutes ahead of schedule at 6:57.
Both Colts are listed as 5-1 options, with Messier 6-1 and Xandon now 7-1. Taiba made the biggest jump on Monday after drawing a 12-1 odds draw, receiving $3.181 million in stakes. That’s $3.380 million behind Epicenter, which started out as a 7-2 second choice behind Xandon.
Zandon, Monday’s favorite 3-1 morning line, has $2.698 million in stakes while Messier has $2.864 million.
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3:30 pm
Spectators have stood side by side in lines to place their bets and buy mint juleps in the first full Kentucky Derby since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Churchill Downs was packed by noon, hours before the biggest race of the day.
For two years, the pandemic sustained the typical extravagance of Derby Day. The 2020 race was delayed until Labor Day weekend and was held without spectators. Last year’s race strictly limited the number of tickets sold. This year, Churchill Downs again expects to surpass 150,000, its pre-pandemic number.
“It looks like we have a normal life again,” said Michelle Conforto, a California miller reaching for her 12th Derby, who was happy to pass through the thick crowd again. “This is a milestone for us to move forward.”
Her husband, Joe, wore goggles and a stuffed horse named Miss Fancy on his head, decorated in yellow and olive to match his wife’s elaborate feathered hat, which turned her head in every direction. was surrounded by one leg. They are Derby fixtures and people stop by to take pictures of them.
“We get to spend time with people and enjoy our lives,” said Michele Conforto. “Today we feel free.”
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1:45 pm
Large numbers of spectators are returning for the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, which aims to reach near full capacity under Twin Spiers for the first time since 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic.
Xandon 3-1 Morning Line is the favorite and will start at No. 10 post. Epicenter is the 7-2 second choice from the No. 3 post, with Messier the 8-1 third choice from the No. 6 post. He and stablemate Taiba (12-1, No. 12) are being directed by Tim Yakatin, who trained for suspended Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
At a press briefing on Saturday, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear shrugged off a question about former President Donald Trump’s rumored appearance at Churchill Downs, noting that Derby Day is “a day of celebration, where hopefully we Will put any division aside.”
“Hopefully, we focus more on the race in front of us than any race in our future,” Beshear said. “This is a chance for everyone to see that Kentucky is welcoming anyone who wants to come to the track, including former presidents.”
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