Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Executive Director Chauncey Morris admits there is some charm about the Medina Spirit story. The colt, purchased for a relatively small amount of money, paid off big with a Kentucky Derby win Saturday.
Morris said, “you can’t buy this game.” The KTA director admitted that’s even more the case with the 19-to-20 other horses. “Does that provide the hopes to aspirational owners that might have never owned a horse, wanted to own a horse that a horse like this just won the Kentucky Derby? Absolutely. And it’s done that since 1875,” said Morris.
The head of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association said Kentucky racing remains in a healthy place.
Morris said all sources betting ranked 85% higher than last fall’s spectator-less Derby. “The economics of the sport means that probably in a full calendar year Kentucky racing will be neck-and-neck with New York, which is traditionally the strongest racing jurisdiction in the U.S. and that’s really special,” explained Morris.
Record-breaking trainer Bob Baffert has already said he doesn’t see anything right now to discourage him from taking Medina Spirt on to the second Triple Crown race, the Preakness in two weeks.
And Morris said the Derby winner has some distance pedigree which could come in handy for the third leg, the Belmont.
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