American Pharoah Has Special Place In Derby Fans' Hearts
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — American Pharoah's journey to racing history a year ago spurred Richie Columbus to make his first trip to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Until Pharoah, horse racing typically drew his attention just once a year, when Columbus watched the Derby on TV. But when Pharaoh galloped across the finish line at the Belmont Stakes last year to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, Columbus was hooked.
"It pretty much brought us here today," he said while heading to the Churchill Downs infield. "We were disappointed we didn't come last year."
Columbus, who made the short drive from Cincinnati, didn't act like a newcomer to America's most famous horse race. His group arrived when the gates opened and immediately staked out a prime position for its blankets and folding chairs near the fence. Unlike most of the throngs partying in the infield, Columbus' group got a brief view of the horses as they raced around the track.
A huge crowd was gathered at the famed track for a full day of racing. Fans basked in breezy temperatures expected to reach the low 80s but kept their eyes skyward. Forecasters said there was a chance of thunderstorms around race time.
"American Pharoah did something for horse racing," said Jack Bell, who's been coming to the Derby for nearly 40 years. "Young people don't like horse racing, it's too slow. But they like American Pharoah. He gave it all he had in every race."
The Derby drew someone who was just bumped from a different type of horse race — the contest for the presidency.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who ended his Republican presidential campaign earlier in the week, had a panoramic view from an exclusive section high above the track. Cruz said he was just at the Derby to have a good time and declined to be interviewed.
Throughout the track, fans sifted through the field of Derby horses listed on racing forms, hoping to land on Pharoah's successor as a Derby winner.
Joe Cicci, of Syracuse, New York, won the trifecta betting on Pharoah last year. It was one of his favorite bets in 25 years of handicapping: "It wasn't an IRS ticket," he said, meaning he hadn't won enough to be required to pay taxes on it. "But it was a good ticket."
He puffed on a cigar at the paddock and read through this year's lineup of Derby horses.
"I'd never seen a horse like American Pharoah," he said and shrugged. "I don't know if we'll see another today. But I'd love to see one again."
Miss Kentucky, Clark Davis, missed American Pharoah last year. She's keeping her fingers crossed that another horse will make history this year.
Some Derby-goers cared little about history in the making.
Mario Forestier and Joe Musleve chose the Derby for their first reunion in five years. The friends, who met while stationed in the Army at nearby Fort Knox, were sipping their second mint juleps by mid-morning as they walked to the infield.
"It's something that I've always wanted to do," said Forestier, of Huntsville, Alabama. "I've heard stories and I think this is going to be like the greatest place ever. It's like our Disney World right here."
Steve Murow was among Derby fans accessing a mobile app launched by Churchill Downs that's meant to spare them from the long lines as much a Derby staple as colorful hats and sundresses. The app gave fans mobile access to ordering food and drinks and making online bets.
"We can find our spot, relax, save the walk, save the hassle, the bumping into people," said Murow, of Orange County, California. He and his wife, Jeanne, were sipping beer and people watching under a shade tree near the paddock.
"It's the Super Bowl, a tailgate, a dress-up special event, Las Vegas, all rolled into one," she said.
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Associated Press writer Claire Galofaro contributed to this report.
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