Larry Demeritte, a Bahamian trainer, is heading into his first Kentucky Derby with his horse West Saratoga, who is staying in Barn 42 at Churchill Downs, the same location where Seattle Slew was before his Triple Crown win. Demeritte is only the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse in the Derby, with the other being Hank Allen in 1989. The early years of the Derby saw Black trainers dominate, winning seven of the first 17 races from 1875-1891. Demeritte’s journey to the Derby is even more special as he was diagnosed with cancer in 1996 and underwent chemotherapy, making every moment in the spotlight meaningful for him.
West Saratoga, purchased for just $11,000, is the pride of Demeritte’s 11-horse stable at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington and has earned $460,140. Owner Harry Veruchi, who bought his first horse in 1982, is experiencing his first Derby with West Saratoga. Named after the street in Littleton where Veruchi grew up near the Centennial track, West Saratoga is the lone horse in their group with Derby experience, as jockey Jesus Castanon finished fourth aboard Shackleford in 2011. Castanon had set the pace and led at the eighth pole before being overtaken by Animal Kingdom. This experience has made Demeritte hopeful and reflective, as he feels blessed to have reached the Derby stage with West Saratoga.
The forecast for the Derby includes a 43% chance of rain, which is concerning as West Saratoga has never run on a wet track. However, his sire, Exaggerator, was the runner-up in the 2016 Derby and went on to win the Preakness and the Haskell on sloppy tracks. Despite the challenges, Demeritte remains hopeful and grateful for the opportunity, believing that their story will inspire others to become interested in the sport of horse racing. His motto, “I don’t buy cheap horses. I buy good horses cheap,” reflects his commitment to finding talent and potential in horses that may not come with a hefty price tag. Demeritte’s journey to the Derby showcases the resilience and determination required to succeed in the competitive world of horse racing.
Demeritte’s background as the son of a trainer in the Bahamas and his distinct accent from his home country add to the richness of his story. With his 11-horse stable at The Thoroughbred Center, he has dedicated himself to nurturing and developing the talent of his horses. West Saratoga is a testament to his skill and expertise as a trainer, showing significant improvement with each start. As a trainer who has run horses on the Derby undercard in past years, Demeritte understands the importance of preparation and has been practicing for this moment for a long time. His gratitude for the opportunity to compete on the Derby stage shines through, as he hopes to make the most of this chance and showcase his talent to a wider audience.
The significance of Demeritte’s presence in the Derby as a Black trainer cannot be understated, as representation in the sport has been lacking in recent years. With only a few Black trainers having saddled horses in the Derby since 1951, Demeritte’s presence highlights the need for more diversity and inclusion in the world of horse racing. His journey to the Derby serves as inspiration for others with dreams of making it to the sport’s biggest stage, showing that hard work, dedication, and perseverance can lead to success. With West Saratoga’s underdog story and Demeritte’s resilience in the face of adversity, they are poised to make a memorable impression at the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
