Medina Spirit won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half length over Mandaloun on Saturday, giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-setting seventh win at the Derby.
Baffert won his fourth Kentucky Derby in seven years, and his seventh all-time — passing Ben Jones as the winningest trainer in Kentucky Derby history. Jockey John Velazquez won his fourth Kentucky Derby and his second in the calendar year. Baffert and Velazquez won with Authentic in September.
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“It hasn’t sunken in yet," Baffert said. "I love the record and all that, but it’s one of those things where I’m so thrilled because when you win you never know if you’re ever going to be back.”
At 12-1 odds, Medina Spirit paid $26.20 to win, $12 to place and $7.60 to show. Medina Spirit had the sixth-best odds to win among the field. Mandaloun placed second with 28-1 odds followed by Hot Rod Charlie (5-1). Medina Spirit's winning time was 2:01.02.
Medina Spirit was bought for $1,000 as a yearling, then for $35,000 by owner Amr Zedan.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world," Baffert said. "His owner … I told him ‘ehh I think we’ve got a chance, maybe.' I’m so spoiled bringing these heavy-duty horses in here, but I’ll tell you that little horse has got a heart."
This year's Kentucky Derby returned to its traditional race day on the first Saturday in May after last year's running was pushed to Sept. 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The second leg of this year's Triple Crown — the Preakness Stakes — will take place on May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
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Medina Spirit's win in perspective
Katherine Terrell, staff writer: Essential Quality came into the race as the horse to beat, but it was Baffert who surprised with a horse who he described on Saturday afternoon as "a long shot." Medina Spirit was able to get a lead and not relinquish it, pulling a mild upset considering he wasn't one of the best horses in the Baffert barn just a few months ago. Spirit was always on the board in his preps, but not a winner in the last few months until Saturday. It'll be interesting to see if he's favored going into the Preakness.
Where Baffert ranks all-time among horse trainers
Terrell: A total of seven Kentucky Derby wins and two Triple Crown winners speaks for itself. Baffert just passed up the legendary Ben Jones, who had six Derby wins, including Triple Crown winners Whirlaway and Citation. Baffert is teaching everyone a lesson: Never count him out, even when he feels like a long shot to take the garland of roses.
(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
The finish at Churchill Downs:
He does it again!! Bob Baffert captures #KyDerby No. 7 with Medina Spirit. pic.twitter.com/48qorFi1Ps
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 1, 2021