Hold Your Horses

Derby Day was yesterday, and with my Kentucky roots and horse-loving daughter, it’s a big deal for us.  And this year was even better, as we watched the final moments when front-runner Bodemeister was eclipsed by the nearly-unknown I’ll Have Another to win by1½ lengths; the first ever Derby win from post position 19.

I love an underdog story.  Can you imagine the sinking feeling that trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam would have felt when given the post position of 19?  In 137 years, no horse had ever won the Derby from that position.  And with rookie jockey Mario Gutierrez riding a horse that had been bought for a measly $11,000 facing off against veteran jockeys and million-dollar horses…

Lava Man leading I'll Have Another

As a matter of fact, the only thing that made I’ll Have Another notable at all was his lead pony, Lava Man, who had won over five million dollars during his racing career (making him the most expensive lead pony in racing history), but due to the fact that he was a gelding, did not receive the usual posh retirement most racehorses of his caliber attain (umm, that would be “stud horse”).

 You see, Derby horses are only three years old, quite young, and they need encouragement and guidance.  Lead ponies are not usually ponies at all, but older horses they bond to—they are stable mates, they travel together, and they are tethered together when they go out to race.  The older horses are “mentors” to the younger, and provide a standard of behavior, show them that even though they feel skittish there is no need to act out because their older, wiser friend is by their side.

But at a certain point, lead ponies have to back off and let the youngsters run their own race.  Just a few weeks ago, back in Lava Man’s old stomping grounds, he led I’ll Have Another to the starting gate for the Santa Anita race—then tried to get into the starting gate himself.  Another lead pony had to be brought out to lead him.  So his trainers were understandably nervous about his performance at the Derby, and relieved to find him calmly escorting his young protégée to the starting gate and leaving him there to run his own race.  And run he did!

Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones with Butterscotch

When I look at the Derby, I am amazed at the gracefulness and power of the horses; it has never occurred to me that I am looking at twenty young, scared colts who need a companion to calm and reassure them as they prepare to run their race.

Last week, I had a similar experience.  I’ll describe it in my next post.