Medina Spirit gives Baffert record seventh Kentucky Derby win
May 1st, 2021
With a determined, frontrunning score, Medina Spirit gave trainer Bob Baffert his record seventh Kentucky Derby (G1) win May 1 at Churchill Downs.
The Protonico colt went straight to the front under jockey John Velazquez, reminiscent of his Derby win for Baffert aboard Authentic in 2020, and just held off a late charge from Mandaloun to win by a half-length, with a final time of 2:01.02.
Mandaloun stalked in third in the backstretch, made his move late in the second turn, and challenged Medina Spirit to the wire, but could not get by. Hot Rod Charlie also loomed in the stretch, but could not make up any ground.
Favored Essential Quality made a wide move in early in the turn but flattened out in the stretch to finish fourth.
Medina Spirit paid $26.20 for a $2 win bet. The $2 exacta paid $503.60, the 50-cent trifecta paid $848.45, and the $1 superfecta paid $9,456.40.
