BrockTalk_April_May.qxp_EditorWelcome 3/30/20 1:05 PM Page 6
the Brock talk
Brock Sheridan
Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Communications
JOHN D. FILER PHOTO
Derby Postponement Could be Florida Omen W
ith the Kentucky Derby being postponed cluding Susan’s Girl, the champion 3-year-old filly of this year from May 2 to Sept. 5 because of 1972 and the champion older mare in 1973 and 1975; concerns over the coronavirus (COVID- and 1985 champion sprinter Precisionist, both Hall of 19) pandemic, it becomes the first time since 1945 that Fame inductees. Hooper was also the Eclipse Awardthe Run for the Roses will not break from the starting winning outstanding breeder in 1975 and 1982 and was gate on the traditional first Saturday in May, snapping honored with an Eclipse Award Honor of Merit in 1992. He was a member of The Jockey Club, an hona streak of 74 consecutive years. While it will be run on a Saturday for the 90th con- orary director of the Breeders’ Cup and one of the secutive time going back to the 1911 Derby won by founders of the Thoroughbred Owners and BreedMeridian, it will be only the third time the race will be ers Association. He served as president of the not be conducted in May. (Prior to 1911, it was run on Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ AssoWednesday 11 times, Tuesday nine times, Monday eight ciation for eight consecutive years from 1971-79, times, Thursday four times and Friday twice. The 1910 considered to be a time when the organization exversion of the Derby won by Donau was run on Tues- perienced its greatest growth according to his FTBOA Hall of Fame plaque that hangs in the Asday, May 10.) The first time it was not conducted in May was April sociation’s office lobby in Ocala. 29, 1901 when His Eminence crossed the wire first. The only other year the Kenfor tucky Derby was not conFlorida thoroughbred breeders, it remains to be seen. ducted in May was 1945, when it was pushed back But with star Florida-breds such as Thousand Words, from May 5 to June 9 be- Untitled and As Seen on Tv on the Derby leaderboard cause Germany was surren- this year, it is not out of the question. dering to the Allied Forces at Whether the postponement of the 2020 Kentucky locations throughout the European theater during the first week of May with VE-Day officially coming on May 7. Derby becomes a positive omen for Florida thoroughThe 1945 Kentucky Derby was also a special one bred breeders, it remains to be seen. But with star for Florida thoroughbred enthusiasts as that year Hoop Florida-breds such as Thousand Words, Untitled and As Jr. took the Run for the Roses for Fred W. Hooper, Seen on Tv on the Derby leaderboard this year, it is not out of the question. jockey Eddie Arcaro and trainer Ivan Parke. Should any of the aforementioned Florida-breds don Although Hoop Jr. was not a Florida-bred, he was the first thoroughbred owned by Hooper, who would the blanket of roses beneath the twin spires of Churchill become a nationally renowned thoroughbred breeder Downs on Sept. 5, they would become the seventh such Florida-bred to do so, joining Needles (1956), Carryfrom his 1,100-acre Hooper Farm in Ocala. Unfortunately, Hooper would spend the rest of his back (1961), Foolish Pleasure (1975), Affirmed (1978), life trying to win his second Kentucky Derby to no avail. Unbridled (1990) and Silver Charm (1997). And they would become the second thoroughbred However, before he died on Aug. 4, 2000 in Ocala at the age of 102, he became one of the giants of the sport with Florida connections to win a Kentucky Derby not having raced or bred more than 100 stakes winners in- conducted in the month of May. ■
Whether the postponement of the 2020 “Kentucky Derby becomes a positive omen
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6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2020
