Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has added another achievement to his already impressive resume. This past weekend, Mahomes had the honor of igniting the Kentucky Derby crowd with his famous “Riders Up” call, officially starting the 149th running of the prestigious horse race. The two-time Super Bowl MVP and reigning NFL MVP certainly did not disappoint, and the crowd was electrified as the horses thundered down the track.
This command signals the jockeys to mount their horses and start the race, which is known as the “Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
Patrick Mahomes also walked the red carpet with his wife, wearing a stylish gray plaid blazer and an all-black ensemble with sunglasses.
Since 2012, the Kentucky Derby has invited a celebrity to make the call, and Mahomes joins a list of notable sports figures like Julius Erving and John Calipari who have had the honor.
Forte Scratched from Kentucky Derby as Two Horses Die in Tragic Weekend
Besides Mahomes’ legendary moment, the crowd also witnessed some tragic moments. Forte, the favorite to win the 149th Kentucky Derby with 3-1 odds, has been removed from the race. The announcement was made just hours before the start of the race on Saturday morning. Along with Forte, four other horses, including Skinner, Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar, were also scratched from the race.
As a result, the field is now down to 18 horses. The scratch of Forte leaves Tapit Trace and Angel of Empire as the two horses with the best odds to win the first leg of the Triple Crown. Unfortunately, two horses have died during the Kentucky Derby event. Freezing Point was euthanized, bringing the total number of horse deaths to seven over the past week.
During such events, it is heartbreaking to see horses dying or getting hurt. But this year’s event will remain an unforgettable moment for Mahomes. He stepped onto a different stage than the NFL and made history with just two words: “Riders Up.”
