Rich Strike Wins the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Excitement in Lexington KY by Realtor Kim Soper

Hey friends. It's Kim in Kentucky again. I've got my horse racing buddy right behind us. So wow the Kentucky Derby, oh my gosh, Rich Strike was an 80-1 horse that won the Derby. Obviously my mom and I didn't win on that horse, but what an incredible run it was. I don't know if you had a chance to go back and look at that footage that NBC posted with that aerial view and just to watch how quick Rich Strike was moving through traffic almost toward the back of the field and moving so quick, It seemed like all within 15 to 20 seconds, to get to the front, it was just an incredible run. And that's honestly what makes the Derby so special. You can study that program, the odds, the sire lines and hope that you have a winner. But guys, honestly, it's so much luck too. You just never know what's going to happen.

And they say that's the biggest upset since 1913. What an incredible day. We're all still on cloud nine. Rich Strike was born and raised in Lexington. He was bred by Calumet Farm here in Lexington, not far from Keeneland Racetrack. And then he pretty much grew up off Russell Cave Road, not far from where I grew up, so I definitely have a special connection. Just like feeling like, oh, he's like from my old neighborhood. But just a great run and the stories that are coming out, just how humble it seems like the trainer and the owner are, and they're just like, we just, we didn't know. We, we hoped, you know, it's always the dream to win the Derby. And I love the stories about Jerry Dixon Jr. That's the groom for Rich Strike They just seem like they have an incredible bond.

I'm sure you saw right after the race, Rich Strike was kind of feisty and he was high strung a little bit. I mean, obviously rightly so. He just won a huge race. He still seemed like he wanted to run and then the crowd is going crazy, so much noise. And it seems like once Jerry got back to Rich Strike, he immediately just calmed down in Jerry's presence. It was just kind of neat to see kind of that special bond. And a friend of mine, he actually had been at Churchill Downs all week with Rich Strike and was posting a lot of pictures and videos. It was kind of like a behind the scenes look. And I think helps like build a connection to that horse and the people associated with it. Funny story, they said, Eric, the trainer literally fainted in the paddock.

Once the horse crossed the finish line. I'm sure I would faint too. if my horse won the Derby just in a surreal moment. So we're super excited about it. Hopefully he does well in the Preakness and in the Belmont, but for some reason, even if he doesn't wins those races, he still has a piece of our heart here in Lexington. I hope you enjoyed the Derby. It's just always so much fun. It doesn't matter who you pick at the end of the day, just pick the one that you think's going to win or has the coolest name or the sire lines that you like. Maybe it was a horse that you bet on its dad

A few years ago and now you're like, oh, that's the son. I'm going to bet on that. So I do that a lot too, but obviously this time I didn't make the right bets. I wish I did, but I had a great day with family and friends. And that's what it's all about. Kentucky - we always have a great time. It's like a holiday here. But if you're not in Kentucky, I know Derby parties are still huge. So have fun. Hopefully your horse wins next year. And as we say in Kentucky, we're always off to the races. Enjoy your summer. Take care bye bye.

About the Author: Kim Soper is a lifelong Lexington KY resident and Co-Founder of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Cypress. She has over 18 years experience selling real estate all over Lexington KY and the Central KY areas.  Kim is the manager/Realtor of ExploreLexingtonKY.com - Home to Your Best Source for Lexington KY Real Estate!