The Kentucky Derby will be run for the 144th time on May 5, and this year two runners will have West Point connections. The colt Vino Rosso could propel John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher, and the St. Elias Stable of Vinnie Viola '77 into a category that includes the greatest Derby winner of them all, Secretariat. Secretariat won the Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown in 1973, one year after his stablemate Riva Ridge won the Derby and the Belmont. Both colts were ridden by Ron Turcotte, trained by Lucien Laurin, and were owned and bred by the Meadow Stable of Penny Chenery. In the great, rich history of the Derby, beginning with Aristides in 1875, that is the only time the same jockey, trainer, and owner have combined to win the Derby in back-to-back years.
Last year, Velazquez, Pletcher, and St. Elias won the Derby with Always Dreaming. St. Elias is part of an extensive partnership that owns Always Dreaming. With Vino Rosso, St. Elias is partners with Mike Repole. Vino Rosso comes off a victory in the Wood Memorial and is one of the favorites in a very even field. But Vino Rosso stands alone this year as the only horse who can bring the same jockey, trainer, and owner to the Derby winner's circle for the second straight year. In addition to the Vino Rosso West Point Connection, My Boy Jack is another contender with West Point ties. He is partly owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, which was founded by Terry Finley '86. West Point Thoroughbreds also was co-owner of last year's Derby winner Always Dreaming, so the there is a double opportunity for a repeat. Read More