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The '01 Santa Anita Derby emerged
as a tour de force for Kids to the Cup as over 40 members converged
on the Arcadia oval for two days of fun, education and excitement.
KTTC sponsored eight members to
the Santa Anita Derby as winners of a nationwide essay contest
on the topic: "Why I Must See the Santa Anita Derby."
Ashley Gibson, Searcy, AK
Jackie Mitchell, Blue Bell, PA
Emma Shaw, Slippery Rock, PA
Natalie Benson, Bellvue, CO
Ryan Brady, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Brittany Garner, Burkesville, KY
Layla Marefat, Lexington, KY
Stephanie Roeter, Cashmere, WA
Local members were also invited
to take part in the festivities and they did!
Friday morning the group enjoyed
breakfast at Clocker's Corner where they watched morning workouts
and met prominent owner and staunch KTTC supporter Bob Lewis.
Hall of Fame jockeys Chris McCarron, a director of KTTC, and
Gary Stevens also spoke to the group.
Next, the group descended upon
the Santa Anita backside and the barn of trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
The former coach and teacher spoke with the group about various
aspects of training racehorses.
The group next visited the
barns of trainers John Sadler, Paco Gonzalez, Alexis Barba and
Bob Baffert. Each trainer spoke on different aspects of the
game and answered questions from parents and members in depth.
Afterwards each willingly signed autographs and posed for photos.
Trackman Steve Wood took the group
out onto the racing surface and explained how his crew keeps
the surface safe and consistent. He also explained that he was
liable to have a very long night as rain filled the Derby-day
forecast.
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Owner, breeder and KTTC president
Trudy McCaffery gave the group an arms-length look at turf star
Bienamado who cooperated fully as his coat glistened in the
afternoon sun.
In a rare, behind the scenes
moment, KTTC members toured the Santa Anita jockey's room and
caught the world's winningest rider Laffit Pincay, Jr. in preparation
for his afternoon mounts. In typical Pincay fashion, the classy
reinsman interrupted his routine for autographs and photos.
Members also were given goggles as souvenirs of their visit
to "the room."
The first race on the afternoon's
card was named in honor of KTTC and everyone jammed the winner's
circle with jockey Martin Pedroza. The group visited the circle
again early on S.A. Derby day at the invitation of winning owners
Bob and Beverly Lewis.
KTTC member Jonathan Horowitz,
a 15-year-old from Irvine, CA, impressed veteran horseplayers
with his accurate call of the third race at Santa Anita on Friday's
card. Several KTTC members also conducted post-race interviews
on Santa Anita's daily racing show that aired live on Fox Sports
West.
Friday evening the group was
treated to a special dinner at Chip Sturniolo's Derby Restaurant
in nearby Arcadia. The historical site is a virtual racing museum,
overflowing with legendary artifacts. Chip proved a gracious
host as he conducted tours of the ancient building once owned
and lived in by the legendary George "The Iceman" Woolf.
And, of course, there was Santa
Anita Derby Day.
The Thoroughbred Corp.'s massive
3-year-old star Point Given supplied all the fireworks necessary
to top off a tremendous KTTC road trip in fine fashion.
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