7 minute read
Everything Equine: A day at the Derby
Top 4 crossing the finish line
Photo by EquusCeptional Media
Derby Dreams Do Come True!
BY 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
The 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 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 Plantation-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
Gail Rice reunited with Medina Spirit after the Derby win
and Life Is Good off the trail. Even Baffert’s son, Bodie, reminded his dad on the day before the Derby, that when his dad comes second in the Santa Anita Derby, he always wins the Kentucky Derby. For some reason, Bob didn’t think Medina Spirit could do it. Maybe it was his unknown sire, Protonico, or his humble beginnings in the back ring of Ocala Breeders Sales.
As a yearling, Medina Spirit only sold for $1,000 and for only $35,000 as a two-yearold in training. Christy Whitman picked him out at the OBS sale. She liked his top line and hip and thought he would be promising for her gallop rider to work with. Whitman spent a lot of time learning at Niall Brennan Stables as an exercise rider and through a degree in equine physiology at Central Florida College before opening her own training business.
Medina Spirit’s start in life was actually more challenging than his run in the Derby. Born in Citra three weeks late to breeder Gail Rice, and with no milk available from his dam at birth, Gail had to freeze milk from another mare and bottle feed him. Rice did not want to sell him as a yearling, but the situation she was in at the time caused her to decide to take him to the OBS sale. She set no reserve and watched him sell for $1,000. She walked over and thanked Christy Whitman for purchasing him and asked where he would go. At that time, Rice had no idea that he would end up in the barn of Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, or that he would be Baffert’s only hope for a 2021 Derby win this year, or that with this horse, Baffert would achieve a record-breaking seventh Derby win.
In the days right after the Derby, I had a chance to talk to Christy Whitman, the consignor, who shared how she felt on Derby day as she watched at World Equestrian Center Ocala with her two daughters. Whitman had tears in her eyes as she shared how she felt watching a horse that she bought at OBS cross the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby. At the post-Derby press conference, I saw owner Amr Zedan show emotion as he struggled to express the surreal emotions he felt.
I had made a point to track Rice down at the OBS sale in the weeks prior to the Derby to hear her story. After spending some time with her, I offered to loan her a fascinator, which she wore so beautifully on Derby day and I saw her wearing it in the Winners’ Circle. Of course, I told her that I do not want it back!
On the Sunday morning after the Derby, I took Rice to the barns at Churchill Downs to see Medina Spirit in his stall. He was quite feisty and acted like he could run his race all over again. For me, seeing them reunited (and the horse clearly remembered her) was the culmination of a job well done, from his birth, through his training in Ocala and into the Hall of Famer’s barn and across the finish line first in the 147th Kentucky Derby. Baffert was not aware that she was the breeder and they chatted, as she shared her story. I tagged Medina Spirit’s owner on Twitter with the interview Rice gave me at Baffert’s barn. It is a great story. Mr. Zedan called Rice that evening and invited her to be his guest at the Preakness, saying that he saw the interview where she expressed her belief that God’s hands were in this entire story. That was her interview with me.
This is what Derby dreams are made of – and for me and definitely for Christy Whitman and Gail Rice, this is a dream come true! Seeing a Florida-bred horse, with such humble beginnings, prove himself against all odds and win the first jewel in the Triple Crown is such an exciting accomplishment. Seeing his breeder go to the Preakness to watch him again was a huge reward.
Even the later news released about a potential error in the use of an ointment containing a steroid that is not permitted even in tiny doses in Kentucky cannot change the fact that this “little horse” ran his heart out. He ran the race of his life, against the best of the best and proved himself. He is truly a Florida-bred champ!
Medina Spirit as a foal at Rice's farm in Citra
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A Special Thank You
to all homeowners, donors and volunteers who supported and sponsored our Spring Garden Tour.
Watch for details about our upcoming 2021 Christmas Home Tour
Set amid the ambience of the city’s oldest historic district and through the generosity of the homeowners, H.O.P.S. is pleased to showcase some of Ocala’s distinctive architecture, history, and culture. Since 1992, these home tours have provided a rare opportunity for guests to go inside some of our community’s most beautiful private residences. 2021 Historic Ocala Preservation Society Board Members Brian Stoothoff — President Rhoda Walkup — Vice President Richard Perry — Secretary Dennis Phillips — Treasurer Pamela Stafford — Past President Linda Anker Daniel Banks Giorgio Berry Bryan Caracciolo Robin Fannon Sean Gallaway Leon Geller Stephanie Howard R.J. Jenkins Lela Kerley Trish Kilgore Sarah Kirk Caryl Lucas Penny Miller Suzanne Thomas Diana Williams Link Wilson Holly Yocum
