Kentucky Derby: 80-1 long shot Rich Strike wins

Friday morning, Rich Strike wasn’t even entered in the Kentucky Derby. By Saturday evening, the 80-1 long shot was the Derby champion.

The owner, Eric Reed, over-came some really sad life events. 5 years ago a fire tore through a barn at a thoroughbred training center near Lexington, Kentucky, killing almost two dozen horses.  The blaze broke out inside a yearling horse barn at the Mercury Equine Center, The center’s owner, Eric Reed, said 36 young horses were in the barn at the time, and that staff were able to rescue only 13 of them.

Rich Strike was purchased last fall for $30,000. At the time of the sale he had been entered in a low-level claiming race by his former owner, Calumet Farm, which has won a record eight Derbys.

Venezuela native Sonny Leon lives in Florence, Ky., he has done much of his racing at tracks in Ohio, including the Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Austintown just outside Youngstown, Belterra Park and more.

The agent described Mr. Leon as an “incredibly charismatic, positive young man” who possesses judgment and awareness as he races and who understands the horse he is riding.  “He’s very smart about where he places the horse in the race and is just a very powerful athlete,” he said.

Lots of people pointed out Sonny Leon’s local connection. “Congrats to jockey Sonny Leon. He went 0-for-5 on Friday at Belterra Park Cincinnati and won the Kentucky Derby in his only mount on Saturday.”

Just before the race Belterra Park Tweeted: “Kentucky Derby 148 has a special rooting interest for fans and friends from Belterra Park Trainer and owner of Mercury Equine Center Eric Reed who races at Belterra Park with his go-to-rider Sonny Leon are in the Derby with #21 – Rich Strike ”

Mattress Mack lost $2.6 million betting on Kentucky Derby

Shortly before the Kentucky Derby started, famous sports bettor Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale placed a $1.5 million bet on the horse Epicenter to win. Just as the race closed, Epicenter appeared moments away from a victory. But Epicenter ultimately fell short, coming in second after an upset run by 80-1 longshot Rich Strike.

In total, Mattress Mack lost $2.6 million in wagers despite nearly winning an estimated $12 million, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Mack was already counting his winnings before the race ended on Saturday.

“I thought I was home,” Mack told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It reminded me of the Bengals-Rams gut punch.”

Mack lost $9.5 million betting on Super Bowl 2022.

Reds Won, 5-23 On The Season

We have a lot more baseball to go. Let’s hope they don’t get hot to late in the season.

Fred Savage Fired From Wonder Years

Wonder Years actor Fred Savage has been fired as a director and producer from ABC’s reboot of the series. “Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage, and as is policy, an investigation was launched. Upon its completion, the decision was made to terminate his employment as an executive producer and director. Savage, 45, was dismissed after cooperating with an investigation into at least three complaints about his alleged verbal outbursts.

SAM HUNT DIVORCE CALLED OFF, Back W/ Pregnant Wife

Sam Hunt and his wife called off their divorce.  Sam and Hannah have been spotted together recently, walking their dog in Franklin, TN. He’s been wearing his wedding ring again. We hope for the best for these two, they are having a baby girl  later this month.

REAL LIFE HAPPY GILMORE ENTERS U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING EVENT

This week, a real-life Happy Gilmore( guy with the same name) played in a U.S. Open qualifier at Old Oakland Golf Course in Indianapolis. Okay, so he’s not really called Happy Gilmore. He was born Landon James Gilmore and adopted the nickname.  Gilmore shot an 8-over par 80 to finish T-50 after round one. The leader ended up shooting 5-under par as five players advanced to the next phase. Happy didn’t do so well on the par-4 seventh hole where he recorded an ugly 10.

Nicknamed the “Olympics of beer,” the World Beer Cup is held in conjunction with the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America. More than 200 qualified beer professionals judge in over 100 different beer categories.

Overall, 13 breweries around Ohio won over 15 awards at the 2022 competition. The competition, which is held every two years, was last held in 2018 because the 2020 awards were canceled due to the pandemic.  Bringing home five awards, we had four Tri-State breweries — MadTree Brewing Co., Big Ash Brewing, Fretboard Brewing and Narrow Path Brewing — were awarded medals at the 2022 World Beer Cup, which was held May 5.

Tri-State area World Cup Beer awards:

MadTree Brewing Co.

• Gold — Ziegler — American-Style Amber Lager
• Silver — Legendary Lager — Contemporary American-Style Lager

Big Ash Brewing

• Silver — Porter’s Porter — International Dark Lager

Fretboard Brewing

• Silver — Crazy Train — Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale

Narrow Path Brewing

• Bronze — Restless Seas — German-Style Sour Ale