Who won the Kentucky Derby in 2021? Full results, finish order & highlights from the race

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UPDATE: Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test, putting the horse's Kentucky Derby win in jeopardy. If the results of the test are upheld, Medina Spirit will be disqualified, and runner-up Mandaloun will be declared the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Churchill Downs announced that Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, has been suspended from entering any horses at the race track. Baffert has said he will fight the ruling, calling the incident "a complete injustice."

ORIGINAL: Medina Spirit pulled off an upset at the 2021 Kentucky Derby, holding the lead for the majority of Saturday's race on the way to victory.

Bob Baffert, the trainer for Medina Spirit (12-1), set a Kentucky Derby record with his seventh career win at Churchill Downs. Even he appeared stunned with the result during a postrace interview.

"I just can't believe it. It hasn't sunken in yet," Baffert said. "I love the record and all that, but it's one of those things where I'm just so thrilled because, when you win it, you never know if you're going to be back. . . . I couldn't be prouder of my team."

Mandaloun and Hot Rod Charlie finished second and third, respectively, with prerace favorite Essential Quality landing fourth.

Sporting News provided live updates during the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Check out the full results below.

MORE: Payout breakdown for 2021 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby finish order

Order Horse Win Place Show
1 Medina Spirit $26.20 $12.00 $7.60
2 Mandaloun   $23.00 $13.40
3 Hot Rod Charlie     $5.20
4 Essential Quality      
5 O Besos      
6 Midnight Bourbon      
7 Keepmeinmind      
8 Helium      
9 Known Agenda      
10 Highly Motivated      
11 Sainthood      
12 Like The King      
13 Bourbonic      
14 Hidden Stash      
15 Brooklyn Strong      
16 Super Stock      
17 Rock Your World      
18 Dynamic One      
19 Soup And Sandwich      
20 King Fury (scratch)      
  • Final time: 2:01.02
  • $2 Exacta (8-7) paid $503.60
  • $1 Trifecta (8-7-9) paid $1,696.90
  • $1 Superfecta (8-7-9-14) paid $9,456.40

Watch the 2021 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby live updates, highlights, results

(All times Eastern)

7:10 p.m. — Bob Baffert is now the winningest trainer in Kentucky Derby history.

7:05 p.m. — The unofficial top four: Medina Spirit, Mandaloun, Hot Rod Charlie and Essential Quality.

7:01 p.m. — Medina Spirit holds off the rest of the field to win the 2021 Kentucky Derby!

7 p.m. — Medina Spirit takes the early lead with Soup and Sandwich not far behind.

6:59 p.m. — And they're off!

6:50 p.m. — Bring out the bugle. Almost race time.

6:35 p.m. — Looks like "Mattress Mack" found some loose change.

6:25 p.m. — More than 51,000 fans are ready to watch the 2021 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

6:15 p.m. — Wow. The Turf Classic ends in a dead heat. 

5:55 p.m. — It's time to play the "Tom Brady looks like..." game on Twitter.

5:45 p.m. — Of course Aaron Rodgers made a "Celebrity Jeopardy" reference with his Kentucky Derby name tag.

2021 Kentucky Derby post time

Coverage of the 2021 Kentucky Derby will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The race, which has a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, will be held at at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

You can also stream the Derby live with fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.

Kentucky Derby post positions

Below is the full list of starting spots, as well as each horse's odds of winning the Kentucky Derby.

Post position Horse Odds
1 Known Agenda 6-1
2 Like The King 50-1
3 Brooklyn Strong 50-1
4 Keepmeinmind 50-1
5 Sainthood 50-1
6 O Besos 20-1
7 Mandaloun 15-1
8 Medina Spirit 15-1
9 Hot Rod Charlie 8-1
10 Midnight Bourbon 20-1
11 Dynamic One 20-1
12 Helium 50-1
13 Hidden Stash 50-1
14 Essential Quality 2-1
15 Rock Your World 5-1
16 King Fury 20-1
17 Highly Motivated 10-1
18 Super Stock 30-1
19 Soup And Sandwich 30-1
20 Bourbonic 30-1
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