Ridden by Venezuelan jockey Sonny Leon, Rich Strike was the longest shot in the field at 80/1 and proved that anything can happen in one of sport’s most prestigious races.ĭubbed the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” – a nod to its approximate run time – the Kentucky Derby is the first leg of US horse racing’s coveted Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Rich Strike roared to victory last year against all odds with a late surge on the inside, flying past the rest of the field at Churchill Downs. The horse, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., was expected to win the race barring an upset. It is the first time since 1936 that five horses have been scratched from the Derby.

The 149th edition of the Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday with all eyes waiting to see if there’s another potential upset on the cards, but heavy favorite Forte is out of the race.įorte was scratched on Saturday morning by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission state veterinarian due to a bruised right front foot, Churchill Downs announced.įorte was listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite to win the first leg on the Triple Crown but now won’t start the race following a decision after a Saturday morning workout, ESPN reported.įorte is the fifth horse to be scratched from the race and so the number of horses in the field drops to 18.

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