A wonderful example of Derby Fever: GG beats what is basically a field of allowance horses
and his owner not only wants to run in what should be a fast and competitive Derby, but is willing to pay 200k to do so.

There is no shortage of rich races for 3Y0s all over the US over the next few months yet owners insist on throwing underqualified or unsound animals into the Kentucky Derby mix.

In 1979 Woody Stephens had a nice colt named Smarten who he perceived was a cut below the top 3Y0s. I remember him winning the Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania Derbies for Ryehill Farm. Woody had one of his folksy quotes about keeping himself in the best company possible and keeping his racehorses with the worst company possible.


Another GG--Galloping Grocer--fits this profile. He probably could have made 300- 400k running against short fields of New York breds all year. His handlers thought he was cut out for something better, and now they probably have a very discouraged horse on their hands.