Derby Day
Derby Day was always a big day in my family. My dad would put all the horse's names in a hat and have us kids pull out a name or two and we would root for that horse.. It made us pay attention when the gates opened and gave a backstory to that particular horse.
My dad was from Bluegrass country where the number of thoroughbreds are raised. This year’s winner included was a hometown hero. Sort of.
The owner and the trainer were from just down the road which isn’t always the case. Also different this year was the fact that the winner was an 80 – 1 longshot. He wasn’t even supposed to be in the race.
This is a story of endurance, not giving up, of being at the right place at the right time—as the videos prove. But first, how Rich Strike got into the Derby.
On Friday before the deadline for any more additions a horse was scratched which allowed Rich Strike into the race: in the 20th post position, the farthest on the outside. Rich Strike was given an 80 - 1 chance of winning.
(Based on a $2 bet)
Win: $163.60
I’ve watched the replay a couple times at YouTube and it is just unbelievable how Rich Strike broke through the traffic at the front. The jockey maneuvered the race horse and like magic appeared and then passed the leader Epicenter to cross the finish line.
But we all know in the high-stakes sport of horse racing that there is no such thing as magic. There must have been so many ups and downs that the horse, jockey, trainer and owner faced that we know nothing of—I can’t wait for the book—and the next race!
I also knew that my father must be looking down—happy with
this underdog from his part of the state and with similar pedigrees (they both
wouldn’t have been predicted to succeed, both had to work hard), Dad would have
been cheering Rich Strike on.
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