The 2022 Kentucky Derby did not disappoint in terms of delivering heart-stopping action at Churchill Downs. It was especially memorable for those bettors who took a punt on Rich Strike, which had odds of 80-1 to top the field on Saturday. Rich Strike, the longest of the long shots for this particular edition of the Kentucky Derby, shocked everyone — even its trainer, Eric Reed — with its victory.

Via Melissa Hoppert of The New York Times:

Eric Reed, Rich Strike’s trainer, who has never had a Derby horse, joked that he needed CPR after his horse drew into the race on Friday. He may have been joking then, but he certainly might need it now.

Reed adds:

“I’m gonna pass out, I’m so happy,” Rich Strike’s sweaty trainer, Eric Reed, said while gasping for breath. “This is the reason everybody does this.”

The 3-year-old colt was barely on anybody's radar before the 2022 Kentucky Derby. It was not even on the original lineup, managing only to gain entry after Ethereal Road was scratched on Friday. Prior to Saturday's event, Rich Strike had only recorded a win in seven races, and that victory was way back in September 2021 in a maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs. Several months later, Rich Strike and its team find themselves celebrating a win at the most prestigious horse racing event of them all. Epicenter ended up placing runner-up at the Derby, while Zandon finished third, as Rich Strike wins by 1 1/4 m.

The Kentucky Derby winner was coming off a third-place finish at the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park last April, placing behind fellow Derby entry Tiz The Bomb and Tawny Port.

With the first leg of the Triple Crown in the bag, Reed can look forward to joining the 2022 Preakness Stakes a couple of weeks from now (May 21).