EQUINE
everything equine
Top 4 crossing the finish line Photo by EquusCeptional Media
Derby Dreams Do Come True! BY LOUISA BARTON,
T
he 2021 Kentucky Derby was very exciting for the Ocala/Marion connections. Over two-thirds of the horses in the starting gate this year had strong ties to breeders and trainers in this area. Within these connections, there
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were two Florida-breds, Medina Spirit and Soup and Sandwich, and although we always follow the ones who graduated from our local consignors, we especially like to cheer on the ones born in the Horse Capital. Soup and Sandwich, a Live Oak Plan-
tation-bred horse, looked good going into the race for Ocala’s Mark Casse as did Ocala-bred Medina Spirit, in Bob Baffert’s barn. However, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert did not have a lot of confidence in his remaining Derby horse, with Concert Tour
Photos courtesy of Louisa Barton
Equine Initiative Director at the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership, Farm Realtor and Host of the Horse Talk Show on the Sky 97.3
