Medina Spirit Gives Baffert Record Seventh Derby Win bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Similar wait-and-see decisions loomed on the backside a day after the 147th Derby returned to its traditional first Saturday in May date.
Shorter than the Derby at 1 3/16 miles, the Preakness sets up well for horses that skipped Churchill Downs for the sprint at Pimlico Race Course. Not to mention a chance for redemption for competitors that fell short to Medina Spirit.
Trainer Doug O’Neill said third-place finisher Rock Your World would not be among them, looking instead to run the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes on June 5 in New York.
Meanwhile, Brad Cox planned to talk with connections for runner-up Mandaloun and 5-2 Derby favorite Essential Quality, who finished fourth. Though disappointed not to win in his first Derby, the Louisville-born trainer was encouraged by both finishing in the top four of the 19-horse field.
Jeff Roberson/Associated Press
Medina Spirit and his connections galloped into the record books with a stunning win at the 2021 Kentucky Derby, edging out Mandaloun at Churchill Downs to win the 147th Run for the Roses on Saturday.
This was far from the expected outcome. Medina Spirit broke from his post at 12-1 odds, while Essential Quality, Hot Rod Charlie and Rock Your World were the favorites.
Once the field was off, those odds didn t matter. Medina Spirit looked like the premier horse in the pack from the start. He stalked the lead early on, but once he claimed first place, it was simply about outrunning the late closers.
Medina Spirit is the winner of the Kentucky Derby
Here is the latest on the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Posted: May 1, 2021 4:11 PM
Updated: May 2, 2021 9:33 AM
Posted By: Lorraine Dechter
7:15 p.m.
Medina Spirit has won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half-length over Mandaloun, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the premier race for 3-year-olds.
The bay colt led the $3 million race from start to finish after going off at 12-1 odds from the No. 8 post.
Medina Spirit never gave ground despite several competitors attempts, including a late outside surge by race favorite Essential Quality entering the stretch to create a four-wide sprint.