The True Story Of The 2021 Kentucky Derby: Post Time, Disqualification, And The Shocking Winner Revealed
Deciding to look back at the 2021 Kentucky Derby means diving into one of the most controversial and delayed finishes in the event's 147-year history. While the "most exciting two minutes in sports" technically happened on the first Saturday in May, the official winner wasn't confirmed until nearly a year later. As of today, December 23, 2025, the race is a permanent fixture in horse racing lore, not just for its electrifying action at Churchill Downs, but for the unprecedented drug scandal that followed.
The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) was a return to tradition, though still under the shadow of the pandemic, and it delivered drama in spades. The race itself was a tight finish, but the real story unfolded in the months that followed, forever changing the record books and casting a long shadow over the sport.
The Essential Facts: Date, Time, and Broadcast Details
For fans tuning in, the specific timing of the race is always the most critical piece of information. The Kentucky Derby is famous for its consistent scheduling, taking place annually on the first Saturday in May.
- Date of the Race: Saturday, May 1, 2021
- Location: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky
- Official Post Time: 6:57 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
- Broadcast Channel: NBC
- Pre-Race Coverage Start Time: Coverage on NBC began earlier in the day at 2:30 p.m. ET, featuring other graded stakes races and the traditional pageantry of the event.
- Race Distance: 1 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt track.
The race was called by announcer Mike Tirico, who anchored the NBC Sports coverage. The post time of 6:57 p.m. ET is a specific slot designed to maximize viewership and is a tradition that rarely shifts, making it easy for viewers to plan their Derby parties, mint juleps, and betting strategies.
The Horse That Crossed First: Medina Spirit's Disqualification
The 2021 Kentucky Derby is primarily remembered for the unprecedented controversy surrounding the initial winner, Medina Spirit. The Bob Baffert-trained colt crossed the finish line first, narrowly beating Mandaloun by a half-length. However, the celebration was short-lived, leading to a scandal that rocked the world of horse racing.
The Drug Test and the Betamethasone Scandal
Just days after the race, it was announced that Medina Spirit had tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone. While betamethasone is a legal anti-inflammatory medication in Kentucky, it is strictly prohibited on race day. The positive test was confirmed by a split-sample analysis, which is the standard procedure for drug testing in racing.
- Substance Found: Betamethasone (a corticosteroid)
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Owner: Amr Zedan (Zedan Racing Stable)
- Original Finish: First Place
Following the confirmation of the drug violation, the fallout was swift and severe. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) Board of Stewards issued a ruling on February 21, 2022—296 days after the race—officially disqualifying Medina Spirit from his victory. This ruling stripped the horse of his title and redistributed the prize money, marking a historic and painful moment for the sport.
Bob Baffert's Suspension and the Aftermath
Trainer Bob Baffert, a Hall of Famer and one of the most decorated figures in the sport, faced significant consequences. The KHRC suspended him for 90 days and issued a fine. Furthermore, Churchill Downs Incorporated took the extraordinary step of suspending Baffert from entering horses at the track for a period of two years, a ban that was later extended. The controversy was further complicated by the tragic death of Medina Spirit in December 2021 following a workout, adding a poignant and somber note to the entire saga.
The True Champion: Mandaloun's Delayed Victory
The disqualification of Medina Spirit meant that the entire finishing order was officially adjusted. The horse that had crossed the finish line second was elevated to the status of the official winner, creating a unique situation where the champion was not celebrated in the winner's circle on race day.
Mandaloun: The Official 2021 Kentucky Derby Winner
The new official winner of the 147th Kentucky Derby is Mandaloun. Mandaloun, a homebred for the late Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, had a strong performance on May 1, 2021, and was a key contender in the field of 19 horses.
- Official Winner: Mandaloun
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Original Finish: Second Place
- Official Recognition Date: February 26, 2022 (by Equibase)
The official chart update from Equibase—the Thoroughbred industry's official database—was a critical, final step in recognizing Mandaloun's victory, cementing the change in the historical record nearly three years after the event. Churchill Downs officials even replaced the sign recognizing the 2021 Derby winner the day after the KHRC ruling was issued.
The Adjusted Finishing Order and Key Contenders
The disqualification also shifted the positions of all other horses, which had a direct impact on payouts for bettors and the official records of the horses and their connections. Essential Quality, the pre-race favorite with 2-1 odds, who finished fourth, was officially moved up to third place.
The top contenders and their adjusted official placings were:
- Mandaloun (Original 2nd)
- Hot Rod Charlie (Original 3rd)
- Essential Quality (Original 4th, the pre-race favorite)
- O Besos (Original 5th)
Other notable horses in the competitive 20-horse field included Rock Your World, who had the second-best odds to win, and Known Agenda. The controversy serves as a stark reminder of the stringent rules governing major horse races and the long-lasting implications of a single drug violation on the integrity of the sport.
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