Official's 'disgraceful' act against Kentucky Derby winner sparks outrage
A racing official has sparkled outrage after appearing to punch the Kentucky Derby-winning horse in the face as it was leaving the track.
Rich Strike - an 80-1 long shot in the famous race - put on a blistering late surge to beat Epicenter and Zandon in one of the the biggest upsets in Derby history.
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However, the Eric Reed-trained colt's against-the-odds victory was overshadowed by a controversial post-race incident involving an official.
Winning jockey Sonny Leon was accompanied by an escort rider when a fired up Rich Strike appeared to try and bite the lead pony the marshal was riding on.
In his attempt to control the Derby winner, the escort rider could be seen striking the horse in the face, in scenes that left viewers horrified.
I’m by no means some @peta activist but this is absurd. No reason to punch a horse in the face let alone the horse that won these rich assholes millions of bucks. You can tell this guy abuses the horses on a regular basis if he’s doing this on live Tv. I hope justice is served 🙄 https://t.co/IpIDdoPhfB
— Ace (@AceDolan) May 8, 2022
but did that guy really have to punch Rich Strike in the face after the race?
— Sean (@s3anryan) May 7, 2022
RICH STRIKE IS JUST CELEBRATING.
Time to bring down the guy that likes to punch champions! https://t.co/WA8pt5Wipg— Cory Craig (@ContentCory) May 7, 2022
#nbcsports #KentuckyDerby2022 #ChurchillDowns Rich Strike's steward should be fired for aggressive and abusive treatment of his charge. Did no one see him punch the horse in the head? After he practically ripped the bit through his mouth?
— Soxy Sadie (@soxysadie) May 7, 2022
Your outrider was a disgrace the way he handled Rich Strike. He was more out of control than the horse!
— LEIGH DALY (@BLEU211) May 8, 2022
Another outruder should be fired, disgraceful actions by outrider on Rich Strike, our Derby winner, disgraceful!!
— yvonne kirby (@yvon1430) May 7, 2022
You need to sort out the guy leading in the winning horse. Rich Strike obviously didn’t want to be lead in. Why did t he just leave go of the reign instead of punching and slapping the WINNER?? Disgraceful…..
— Bins (@GD54_ARY) May 7, 2022
Could just be me here, but feels like we don’t need to punch a horse in the face https://t.co/E537rGxwS6
— David Jones (@tenaciousDJONES) May 8, 2022
Rich Strike storms home for astonishing Derby win
In what is being hailed as a run for the ages, Rich Strike took out the $US 3 million ($AUD4.2 million) race with an astonishing turn of speed down the final straight.
With favorite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby's 148-year history.
The chestnut colt beat 4-1 favourite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length. Zandon finished another three-quarters of a length back in third.
“I about fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire,” winning trainer Eric Reed said. “I about passed out.”
Rich Strike paid $163.60, with only Donerail in 1913 having a higher payout of $184.90.
“What a crazy Derby," said trainer Kenny McPeek, whose horses finished eighth and ninth.
Rich Strike wasn’t even in the Derby until Friday when Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas scratched Ethereal Road, making room for the chestnut colt who had just two previous wins in his career.
“We found out about 30 seconds before the deadline on Friday,” owner Rick Dawson said. “It put us in the race and really we always felt if we just got in we’ve got a shot.”
with agencies
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