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Medina Spirit Wins Kentucky Derby Wire To Wire

Karyn Czar, WUKY
Credit Karyn Czar, WUKY

Medina Spirit fought off three challengers in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby, making Bob Baffert the winningest trainer in the race’s 147-year history with seven victories. Jockey John Velazquez earned his fourth Derby victory aboard the dark brown colt that was purchased as a yearling for $1,000 and cost current owner Amr Zedan $35,000.

Baffert and Velazquez won back-to-back Derbies, taking last year's edition with Authentic without spectators in the stands because of COVID-19. The Derby went off this year in front of about 51,000 spectators. That's about 100,000 fewer than usual. Fans were told to wear masks inside the track, but plenty of them did not. Mandaloun finished second, Hot Rod Charlie was third and favorite Essential Quality finished fourth.

Copyright 2021 WUKY

Karyn Czar