For those in the game, horse racing is an accrual of scar tissue. It’s a steady layering of disappointments that is blessedly alleviated by the soothing balm of occasional victory. If hitters in baseball are celebrated for being successful 30% of the time at the plate, that’s still better than horsemen—none of the top 25 North American trainers for 2024 has a win percentage higher than 29.
And no race is harder to capture than the biggest of them all, the Kentucky Derby. Chad Brown is one of the most successful trainers in the sport and Mike Repole is one of the most successful owners, yet the Derby has kicked them around plenty.