Medina Spirit took an early lead right out of the gates for Saturday’s 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and never relinquished it, holding off its hard-charging competitors for a thrilling four-wide finish.
The only real time Medina Spirit, a Bob Baffert trainee, saw serious competition for the lead was coming off the final turn when Mandaloun was nearly even with the front-runner. Down the last stretch, Hot Rod Charlie and race favorite Essential Quality tried to keep pace with the leaders, and at one point, it looked like any one of those horses could win the first leg of the Triple Crown.
But Medina Spirit with jockey John R. Velazquez held on for the victory — and a record seven Kentucky Derby wins for Hall of Fame trainer Baffert — while Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality finished second, third and fourth, respectively.
(Velazquez and Baffert also won last year’s Kentucky Derby with Authentic.)
Check out this exciting finish:
MEDINA SPIRIT HAS WON THE @KentuckyDerby ! pic.twitter.com/UWhOlqc9NY
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 1, 2021
“If you have him on the lead, he’ll fight,” Baffert told NBC Sports after the race.
Here’s the full video of the 2021 Kentucky Derby:
Medina Spirit is the winner of the @KentuckyDerby! 🏇🏆
Watch the full #KyDerby race from start to finish. #DerbyAtHome
NBC Sports // @WhiteClaw pic.twitter.com/cHYh3VgXz8
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 1, 2021
