The Kentucky Derby has been called the most exciting two minutes in sports, and this past Saturday was no exception when one of the biggest upsets in Derby history took place in the last few seconds. I didn’t watch the race until Monday, but since then I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched the video of the race. And each time I get chills watching that horse come from so far behind.
The horse, Rich Strike, was indeed the longest shot. He had the worst odds of winning going into the race, but almost didn’t have any. The only reason he got to race in the Kentucky Derby was because another horse was pulled from the line-up at the last minute. Only twenty-one horses run in the Derby. Rich Strike was number twenty-two on the list until Friday morning when a last minute scratch opened up a spot. And the rest is history.
From that last-minute opening, Rich Strike and his jockey found and maneuvered through other openings, making their way through the pack into the final stretch.
In the video, you can see them doing the work, quietly moving up through the ranks while the announcer and everyone else is focused on the big name, big money horses battling it out in the front. The announcer only says Rich Strike’s name one time as he makes his final move to overtake the leaders to become the “longest shot” who won it all.
I think I’ve watched this clip more times than I can count because this was the good news I needed this week. It was a good reminder to keep striving and doing the work even when fighting for justice and working for equality feels like a long shot. Big names, big money, big muscle have a big advantage, but we keep doing the work. We keep striving to find those openings and create spaces of sanctuary because sometimes the longest shots win.
So keep striving, beloved of God. Keep believing and showing up to do the good and holy work God has called you to.
In Love
Pastor Annette