Tom Pedulla is interviewing famous horse owners, trainers and jockeys as they make their way to the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs.
This installment stars Larry Demeritte, who left the Bahamas in the 1970s hoping to one day train a horse worthy of competing in the Kentucky Derby. One day has finally come.
West Saratoga an $11,000 purchase Demeritte made two years ago for owner Harry Veruchi at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, owning 67 qualifying points after finishing second in the Jeff Ruby competition Steaks (G3) March 23 on Turfway ParkTapeta surface in all weather.
Son of 2016 Preakness Stakes (G1) champion exaggeration scored his first points on the Road to the Derby while also showing interest in Churchill Downs when he won the one-mile Iroquois Stakes (G3) on September 16. West Saratoga has a 2-5-1 record after 10 starts with earnings of $460,140 .
West Saratoga wins the 2023 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs
Demeritte discussed what led to the purchase of West Saratoga, his battle with cancer since 1996 and his Derby dream coming true during a Q&A session conducted on behalf of the Tour. America’s best racing.
PEDULLA: Were you thinking about Derby-like races when you left the Bahamas?
DEMERITTE: Correct. Sure. We always have Derby parties. One year I said, ‘I want to go see if I can compete with the horsemen in America.’
PEDULLA: Have you finally become a US citizen?
DEMERITTE: Correct. I have been a citizen for quite a while now, 20 years. I have now been in this country longer than in my own country.
PEDULLA: What does becoming a US citizen mean to you?
DEMERITTE: It means a lot to me. I’ve made a lot of friends here. I love this country. I love America. This is the only place where if you work hard you have a chance of success.
PEDULLA: Why did you pay only $11,000 for West Saratoga? Why is he relatively inexpensive?
DEMERITTE: I really don’t know why because this horse is as well made as they come. Maybe he was a little small when I bought him. But when I saw it, I said, ‘This horse is a beautiful horse.’ Balance. Good shoulder. Hips are good for him. Once he gets around the ring, he’s in a good frame of mind. That’s what I look for. If he was worried about selling, he wouldn’t be in the race.
PEDULLA: He was winless in his first four starts. Is he still learning to play the game?
DEMERITTE: We had a post four times in a row. I don’t want to train him to be a sprinter by leaving the gate early. I knew he wanted to stretch it out. As soon as we got an outside position and stretched him out, he got the job done for us.
PEDULLA: What did it mean when he won against the Iroquois?
DEMERITTE: It makes me focus differently because I know I have a horse that can go to the Derby. Then I started plotting his course, the races where I thought he could get Derby points.
PEDULLA: You have a history of success with inexpensive horses. What is the secret to that success?
DEMERITTE: I am surrounded by good people who truly care about animals. I always say, ‘Good energy means a lot in the barn.’ Negative energy I don’t care about my surroundings. Horses feel those things. It was a team effort. For some people, it’s just a paycheck. It has to be more than that. For me, horse training is not a job. I spend a lot of time at the stables, evenings and mornings. It’s more about the love for the sport.
PEDULLA: You train at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington. How many horses do you have there?
DEMERITTE: I have 11 horses there.
PEDULLA: Is that a comfortable number for you?
DEMERITTE: Maybe 12. You can keep six to eight of them ready to run. I like to buy young horses and raise them so they enjoy being racehorses.
Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Larry Demeritte Purebred Center
