The Kentucky Derby is, without question, the premier thoroughbred race in North America.
Every owner on the continent dreams of one day having a horse that can compete in it.
This week, the Sun reported on one of the most incredible horse industry stories in Alberta. Calgary's Cecil Peacock owns one of the early favourites for the May 6 Derby.
"Hardly anyone ever gets the chance to have a horse of this caliber in their lifetime," Peacock said of Brother Derek.
On March 4, Brother Derek won the Grade 2 11/16-mile Santa Catalina Stakes by a length and three quarters in a time of 1:41.96 to set himself up as one of the horses to beat in the Derby.
Coming off three wins in five starts last year as a two-year-old and earning more than $500,000, Brother Derek has won both his starts this year for an additional $210,000.
He will compete in his final prep race for the Kentucky Derby
April 8 in the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby.
"I bought Brother Derek at a two-year-olds-in-training sale in California last year," said Peacock.
"I bought his brother Don'tsellmeshort two years ago and he turned out to be the two-year-old California-bred horse of the year, winning three stakes and more than $400,000 in his 18 starts so far.
"When I caught sight of Derek, who is his full brother, he looked even better.
"He was sharp and spirited.
I knew I had to buy him, too."
Peacock has been in the horse racing business for 35 years.
Most of that time has been spent racing in Alberta, where he currently has two horses racing out of Stu Simon's barn.
A few years ago, he branched out and began running horses in Vancouver.
His daughter is married to trainer Lance Giesbrecht, who works out of B.C.'s Hastings Park.
Peacock has four horses with him now. His interest branched out to California a few years ago and now Brother Derek has placed him squarely in the horse-racing spotlight around the world.
"Brother Derek has won more money already in his career than any other horse I've ever had," Peacock said.
"I won the Alberta Derby with Digital Dan and the B.C. Derby with Bobbin For Stars but to have one that can compete in the Kentucky Derby, that's something."
The national and international attention being given Brother Derek is not lost on his trainer Dan Hendricks, either.
"I'd rather have the favourite going into any race than a 20-to-1 shot," said Hendricks.
Added Peacock: "We're just having a lot of fun with him.
"Watching him in the Kentucky Derby will be a dream come true."
- - -
RACING STARTS FRIDAY
Thoroughbred racing returns to Stampede Park Friday. As is the case most years, the opening two weekends will feature only four-furlong distance races.
There will be no Wednesday racing until April 12.
"We basically use these first races as conditioning races for everyone," said race secretary Russell Armstrong. "We're hoping we can fill at least nine races on each of those days."
Stampede Park is also close to capacity with the number of thoroughbreds on site. There were nearly 1,100 at last count.
Horse Racing Alberta has more than $14.4 million for purses in Calgary and Edmonton for the 2006 season. About $340,000 in new slot revenue will be committed to increasing high end overnight races especially for owners of two- and three-year-old hoses who want to race them over longer distances.
The opening stake races of the season at Stampede Park will be the two restricted Sales Stakes April 15 for four-year-old-and-up colts, geldings, fillies and mares.
