Growing up in a neighboring state, I, of course, always knew about the Kentucky Derby but didn’t know the date it was held each year.
That all changed the fall I announced my pregnancy and due date to my husband’s family and friends in Kentucky. When they heard May 3 was the baby’s due date, the comment was made more than once, “Oh, a Derby baby.” That’s when I learned that the Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
My baby was born on Derby Day, shortly after the race had concluded. My husband, nurse and I watched the race, and then I was taken to delivery. Since then, I’ve tried to watch the race every year.
After my husband told me the Cinderella story of General Quarters, a long shot contender in this year’s race, I have picked him as my favorite.
General Quarters is owned and trained by Thomas McCarthy, a septuagenarian and retired educator. Prior to his retirement, McCarthy was a science teacher and served as a high school principal in the Louisville school system.
Throughout his career as an educator, McCarthy, who is a grandson of a former jockey in Ireland, owned and trained a few horses. Last year, he purchased General Quarters for $20,000, the only horse in his stable, and in addition to his role as the horse’s trainer, he also grooms him.
General Quarters is among four horses listed at 20:1 in today’s race, with two at 15:1 and four at 5-1 or less in the field of 20 horses.
Although he is considered an underdog, the General is the horse we’ll be watching in the 135th Kentucky Derby.
That all changed the fall I announced my pregnancy and due date to my husband’s family and friends in Kentucky. When they heard May 3 was the baby’s due date, the comment was made more than once, “Oh, a Derby baby.” That’s when I learned that the Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
My baby was born on Derby Day, shortly after the race had concluded. My husband, nurse and I watched the race, and then I was taken to delivery. Since then, I’ve tried to watch the race every year.
After my husband told me the Cinderella story of General Quarters, a long shot contender in this year’s race, I have picked him as my favorite.
General Quarters is owned and trained by Thomas McCarthy, a septuagenarian and retired educator. Prior to his retirement, McCarthy was a science teacher and served as a high school principal in the Louisville school system.
Throughout his career as an educator, McCarthy, who is a grandson of a former jockey in Ireland, owned and trained a few horses. Last year, he purchased General Quarters for $20,000, the only horse in his stable, and in addition to his role as the horse’s trainer, he also grooms him.
General Quarters is among four horses listed at 20:1 in today’s race, with two at 15:1 and four at 5-1 or less in the field of 20 horses.
Although he is considered an underdog, the General is the horse we’ll be watching in the 135th Kentucky Derby.
B
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