Click below to view more content from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com covering the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
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Louisville
The Run for the Roses was running back to normal at the legendary Louisville racetrack.
Rich Strike, who went off at 80-1 odds, came from the back of the pack, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of favorite Epicenter.
That shocked the crowd of 147,294, the first full-house at Churchill Downs since 2019, a capacity crowd that partied, drank, showed off their hats for the greatest two minutes in sports at the Kentucky Derby.
Some of the best photos and video from the first Saturday in May show the pageantry and spectacle that attracts around 150,000 revelers annually including celebrities and former presidents to the renowned Thoroughbred racetrack. On display was a Kentucky tradition, run 147 times prior, that has not been fully enjoyed by horse racing fans since before the COVID pandemic.
Rich Strike, with Sonny Leon up, was tucked in the back of the field as he made his way around turn 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Saturday, May 7, 2022. Rick Strike went on to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. Tim Broekema tim.broekema@gmail.com
Rich Strike, at right, went off at 80-1 odds Mark Mahan
Rich Strike, with Sonny Leon up, gestures after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 7, 2022. David Coyle
Rich Strike, with Sonny Leon up, win the 148th Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 07, 2022 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Lewis Gardner Lewis Gardner
Rich Strike trainer Eric Reed, in red, celebrates with friends and family including Ken Tyson in blue, in the paddock after their horse finish line at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Brian Simms bsimms@herald-leader.com
Sonny Leon celebrates in the winner’s circle after winning the 148th Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 07, 2022 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Jonathan Palmer Jonathan Palmer
Kelly and Joe Craft stand on either side of former US President Donald Trump before the start of the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. Gabi Broekema gabriella.brokema@gmail.com
Spectators gather on the infield on the day of the 148th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 6, 2022. Bryan Woolston email@bryanwoolston.com
Nicolette Rockwell wears rose petal inspired earrings she purchased from Etsy at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. The back of her fascinator featured a Secretariat pin with roses. Her hair was inspired by a look she found on Pinterest. She stayed frugal and purchased her entire outfit for under $200. Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com
Angie Bush wears a flowered dress at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, May 7, 2022. She said she found the dress for $70 an “it screamed Derby.” Amy Wallot awallot@outlook.com
Attendees of the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby smoke their cigars while walking around the Churchill Downs grounds in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 7, 2022. (Grace Ramey/photo@bgdailynews.com) Grace Ramey photo@bgdailynews.com
This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 9:36 PM.
Brian Simms has been with the Herald-Leader for 20-plus years, most recently reporting and editing coverage of restaurants, bars, food and bourbon. He is also a photographer and manages the newspapers photo archive that dates back to the late 1930s.Support my work with a digital subscription
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Click below to view more content from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com covering the 148th Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
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