Trump attends Kentucky Derby as 150,000 revelers pack into Churchill Downs for famous
Former President Donald Trump visited the Kentucky Derby Saturday as he witnessed the victory of 80-to-1 historical longshot Rich Strike and mass crowds returned to America’s most famous horse race.
The president watched Rich Strike, who wasn’t even in the Derby field until Friday until he was inserted as a substituted for an injured horse hence the low odds, become the second-biggest upset in the Derby’s 148-year history and beat the longest odds for a Kentucky Derby winner since Donerail, who won from 91-1 odds in 1913.
The horse – which ran middle of the pack until the race’s final furlong, when it made a stunning run for the roses – paid out $163.60, second in the history of the Triple Crown’s first jewel again to Donerail.
The Rick Dawson-owned Rich Strike is considered the derby’s biggest modern upset since Mine That Bird in 2009, who won at 50-to-1 odds. Mine That Bird went on to finish second in the Preakness and third in the Belmont Stakes.
Trainer Eric Reed summed up his horse’s odds himself.
Trump arrived at Churchill Downs for his $75,000-per-person fundraiser around 6 p.m. His entrance was shielded from the general public and the press.
The event continues his running feud with home state Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
He was ushered into the track through a side hallway that had been used by caterers and staff, where his entourage erected an American flag and a Kentucky flag to greet him.
Before he arrived, staff pulled curtains to corral the press and public away, guarded by FBI agents in camouflage with automatic rifles.
Whispers of Trump´s arrival passed through the crowd that backed up for twenty minutes. Some shouted his name, ‘Trump, Trump, Trump.’ Others seemed irritated at the delay.
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Rich Strike, who wasn’t even in the Derby field until Friday until he was inserted as a substituted for an injured horse, became the second-biggest upset in the Derby’s 148-year history and beat the longest odds for a Kentucky Derby winner since Donerail, who won from 91-1 odds in 1913
Sonny Leon celebrates after riding Rich Strike past the finish line to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs
Rich Strike with Sonny Leon up enters the winner’s circle after winning the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby
Former President Donald Trump attends the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Trump arrived at Churchill Downs for his $75,000-per-person fundraiser around 6 p.m. His entrance was shielded from the general public and the press
With favorite Epicenter and Zandon dueling in front, Rich Strike came charging up the rail for a stunning 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Jockey Sonny Leon guided Rich Strike from far back in the 20-horse field to beat 4-1 favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length. Zandon was another three-quarters of a length back in third at Churchill Downs in front of a crowd that included former President Donald Trump.
‘I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,’ winning trainer Eric Reed said. ‘I about passed out.’
Some got a glimpse of the former President through a short break in the curtains and a rumbled passed through the crowd.
Some cheered, some booed as the former president was whisked up to the high-priced clubhouses on the upper floors.
Then the curtains parted and everyone went on their way.
The event at the historic Churchill Downs track in Louisville is titled ‘MAGA, Again!’ and features a cast of…
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