LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the first time in three years, Churchill Downs hosted its full capacity Kentucky Derby on Saturday. And the race's shocking finish didn't disappoint.
About 147,000 spectators at the historic Louisville racetrack gathered to watch Rich Strike, an 80-1 longshot who was a late addition to the field, roar past the competition for a stunning win in the 148th Kentucky Derby. Epicenter finished second, and Zandon was third.
Unbelievable upset:Rich Strike wins Kentucky Derby 2022 on 80-1 odds. Was it the longest odds ever?
We were at the racetrack all day. Here's a look back at some of what we saw.
Miss the race? Watch the full video replay here of Rich Strike speeding past Epicenter and Zandon in the last seconds of the Kentucky Derby to take a win at Churchill Downs.
Rich strike's odds:Kentucky Derby winner had 80-1 odds. Was it the longest odds ever?
A Lexington-based trainer, Reed entered the Derby with just one graded stakes win in his career.
The win came six years after a devastating fire caused by lightning killed 23 horses at his Mercury Equine Center in Lexington.
More on Eric Reed:Trainer Eric Reed nearly 'lost everything' in a barn fire. Now he's a Kentucky Derby winner
Based on a $2 bet: a win net you $163.60. Place meant $74.20, and Show came in at $29.40.
So, how much did he win his bettors? The short answer – a lot.
But when a massive underdog wins, plenty of bettors aren't happy. Famed gambler 'Mattress Mack' put down a sizeable bet before the Derby.
Mattress Mack:Famed gambler bet $1.5M on Epicenter minutes before post in 2022 Kentucky Derby
Rich Strike won the 148th Kentucky Derby on Saturday evening.
Rich Strike outlasted Derby favorites Epicenter and Zandon in the final seconds to win the prestigious race. Trainer Eric Reed won his first Kentucky Derby win in his first appearance.
"I don't know how (to put the win into words). I fell down in the paddock when he hit the wire. I about passed out. I'm so happy," Reed said. "This is something, you know, is the reason everybody does this, because we're not supposed to be here, but I knew this horse loved the track, and we've been training so good all year."
More on Rich Strike:What to know about the 2022 Kentucky Derby horse
Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at Churchill Downs Saturday around 5:30 p.m. to a buzzing crowd.
Courier Journal reporters at Churchill Downs said that there was an increase in FBI and Kentucky State Police personnel before Trump arrived. Two reporters in the infield said security guards locked them in the area and told them nobody was allowed to enter or leave, temporarily.
Another Courier Journal reporter said that by the section where Trump was set to enter — the Finish Line Suites — security guards forced everyone out, closing a gate and putting up a curtain.
Another Courier Journal reporter said they heard booing and cheering on the other side of the curtain, though could not see beyond it.
A little after 6 p.m., the curtains came down, and guests could move freely again.
Donald Trump at the Derby:Former President Trump greeted with cheers at 148th Kentucky Derby
Trump's appearance was confirmed by Ricky L. Jones, professor and chair of the Pan-African Studies department at the University of Louisville.
A Courier Journal photograph spotted Trump standing at a Finish Line suite with Kelly Craft, a Kentucky businesswoman who served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2019 to 2021 and is a heavily rumored candidate for governor of Kentucky for 2023.
Trump came into the spotlight late last month when New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman tweeted out a copy of an invitation to a Derby-day event at Churchill Downs hosted by "MAGA, Again!", a Trump-aligned super PAC, that says it will be attended by the Republican leader himself.
The invitation says the PAC, along with board of directors chair Pam Bondi, national finance chair Kimberly Guilfoyle, Richard Grenell and Matt Whitaker "invite you to the Kentucky Derby with special guest President Donald J. Trump..."
The invite from the PAC — the full formal name of which is "Make America Great Again, Again! Inc." — lists the price to attend at $75,000 per person and $150,000 per couple. Churchill Downs previously declined through a spokesman to confirm the event is happening on its property.
Trump is the first former president to attend the Kentucky Derby since 2000, when George H.W. Bush his son, then-Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, attended the race. Former President Richard Nixon is the only is the only president to attend the race while he was holding office — he did so in 1969.
Print this:Kentucky Derby betting guide before you go to Churchill Downs
Previously:Price to go to Kentucky Derby political fundraiser with Donald Trump -- $75,000
Louisville rapper Jack Harlow is on site filming a music video for his new song, "Churchill Downs." Rap superstar Drake, who is featured on the track, will join Harlow this afternoon in the infield for the shoot, according to a producer behind the video.
What's poppin'? Jack Harlow, Drake film 'Churchill Downs' music video at Kentucky Derby
The notorious infield of Churchill Downs is living up to its reputation as the party spot for the Kentucky Derby.
Courier Journal reporter Olivia Krauth said that roughly 2.5 hours ahead of the annual Run for the Roses, the infield is "PACKED."
"Very, very difficult to walk anywhere + lots of intoxicated folks," she wrote in a tweet.
In another one, she said that the infield "feels VERY frat party" at the moment.
We asked celebrities several different questions as they arrived at Churchill Downs this afternoon. Watch their responses here:
Celebrities at the Derby:Celebrities from music, TV, and sports walk the red carpet at the 2022 Kentucky Derby
The 2022 Kentucky Derby has a post time of 6:57 p.m. EDT.
NBC has broadcast rights for the Kentucky Derby. While the 2022 TV schedule has not been announced, coverage of the Kentucky Derby traditionally runs from 2:30-7:30 p.m.
Rap sensation Drake headed to Churchill Downs Saturday afternoon to film a music video with Louisville-based rapper Jack Harlow for a song titled — wait for it — "Churchill Downs."
And it caused quite a commotion in the infield.
Courier Journal reporters Tessa Duvall and Kala Kachmar both said the tunnel between the infield and front side was temporarily blocked off by a couple of buses carrying Drake and his entourage.
Security eventually let people through — "what a cluster," Kachmar said.
Horse racing terms:Jog, bit, breeze? Horse racing terms to keep you in the know for Kentucky Derby 2022
With former U.S. President Donald Trump expected to make an appearance Saturday at Churchill Downs, Gov. Andy Beshear said "the great thing about the Kentucky Derby is that we welcome everybody into Kentucky."
"This is a day of festivity, where hopefully we put any divisions aside," Beshear said. "Hopefully we focus more on the race in front of us than any races in our future."
As of 1:15 p.m., Courier Journal reporters have not spotted Trump at Churchill Downs. The former president is set to appear at a fundraiser hosted at the racetrack by a super PAC.
Kentucky Derby 2022:Here's your complete guide to the 2022 race
The Courier Journal has launched a Twitter moment for the 148th Kentucky Derby. Here, you will be able to find all the latest from reporters on the horse races, costumes, shenanigans and everything in between throughout the day.
Celebrities, politicians and a Tyrannosaurus rex — oh my!
From former "Saved By The Bell" star Mario Lopez to NSYNC, celebrities stopped by the red carpet as they entered Churchill Downs, taking time to show off their snazzy attire and chat with reporters.
Beshear also came through the red carpet with his family. He told The Courier Journal that he is picking Epicenter, who has the second-best betting odds to win the Kentucky Derby in the morning line at 7-2, to win the race this year.
And a T-Rex also made an appearance, though they didn't have too much to say. Sporting the name tag "Rexy," the dinosaur shook his head when Courier Journal reporter Billy Kobin asked if this was their first time at the Kentucky Derby.
As soon as the clock struck midnight, it was Derby Day in Kentucky — something fans have been waiting 364 days for.
To get to the track, people park all around southern Louisville, take rideshares or hop on a TARC bus (which is offering free fares to and from Churchill Downs throughout the day).
Courier Journal reporter Matthew Glowicki said that the Churchill Downs shuttle bus line at the Kentucky Expo Center was "moving quickly" around 11 a.m. Saturday, and that there were a few portable restrooms available at the parking lot.
A familiar face from Kentucky's northern neighbor made his way to Churchill Downs Saturday morning.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — the former Democratic presidential candidate and mayor of South Bend, Indiana — was spotted with his mother visiting trainer Dale Romans' barn on Derby Day.
Buttigieg won't be the only politician at the annual Run for the Roses. Former President Donald Trump is set to attend a fundraiser hosted by a super PAC on site Saturday. And Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear posted a family with his family on social media dressed up in Derby attire before they headed to Louisville.
All eyes will be on race No. 12 at 6:57 p.m., where 20 hopeful horses will compete in the annual Run for the Roses. In the No. 10 position, Zandon was named the 3-1 favorite in the morning line but saw his odds slide to 7-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Kentucky-bred horse is trained by Chad Brown, who is looking for his first Derby win, and will be ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, who won the 2019 Derby aboard Country House.
Running out of the No. 3 position, Epicenter was the second choice in the morning line at 7-2 and will look to end trainer Steve Asmussen's 0-for-23 Derby drought. The Kentucky-bred Epicenter won the Louisiana Derby in March and will be ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, who won the 2013 Run for the Roses aboard Orb. As of Saturday afternoon, Epicenter's odds were 5-1.
Other horses making a push for favorite Saturday afternoon include Taiba, who saw its morning-line odds improve from 12-1 to 5-1, and Messier, who was 8-1 in the morning line and currently stands at 6-1.
Free Expert picks:Which horse will win the 2022 Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby 2022:Post position draw, updated odds, full field; Epicenter, Taiba lead way
Kentucky Derby pool amassed more than $75 million according to TwinSpires.com. More than $49 million was in the win pool; more than $13 million was in the place pool; and more than $12 million was in the show pool.
Weather conditions have improved leading up to the weekend: The National Weather Service said showers are possible overnight, but conditions are exected to clear by daybreak. Still, if rain does fall, be sure to check out our list of the best mudders in the Kentucky Derby field before placing your bets.
And as usual, the horses aren't the only show. From a packed infield to celebrities in the stands — and a super PAC hosting a fundraiser on site that former President Donald Trump is set to attend — Saturday's festivities are sure to draw plenty of eyes.
From the fastest two minutes in sports to everything else at the racetrack, here's what's going on at the 148th Kentucky Derby:
Derby draw:Kentucky Derby post position draw, updated odds, full field
Steve Bittenbender, Courier Journal: Happy Jack
Mark Blankenbaker, ESPN 680: Classic Causeway, Messier
Will Clark, WHAS Radio: Cyberknife
John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader: Taiba
Ed DeRosa, Horse Racing Nation: Tiz the Bomb
Sara Elbadwi, Horse Racing Nation: Zandon
Pat Forde, Sports Illustrated: Zandon
Gary Graves, Associated Press: Epicenter
John Lewis, WDRB: Tiz the Bomb
Darren Rogers, Churchill Downs senior director of communications: Zandon
Travis Stone, Churchill Downs track announcer: Messier
Tim Sullivan, Courier Journal: Taiba
Miss Kentucky Haley Wheeler: Zandon
A few celebrities who spoke with the Courier Journal at the Barnstable Brown Derby Eve Gala shared their picks for the 148th Run for the Roses.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville football quarterback: Smile Happy
Chase Rice, singer/songwriter: Messier
Darius Rucker, singer/songwriter: Messier
Rapper Jack Harlow, a Louisville native whose latest album dropped Friday, revealed his Derby pick Saturday afternoon on the red carpet at Churchill Downs: Happy Jack.
"I feel like I have no choice," Harlow said.