LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Brad Kelley isn’t fazed by the long odds facing his three horses in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
The owner of Calumet Farm has overcome bigger hurdles restoring the storied stable’s presence on the racing radar.
For much of the 20th century, Calumet was the sport’s version of the New York Yankees. It produced a record eight Kentucky Derby champions, including Triple Crown winners Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (’48), and has had 22 horses Run for the Roses.
Calumet also endured a 21-year gap between entrants at Churchill Downs from 1992-2013 – a drought that included bankruptcy and a subsequent auction in the 1990s before Kelley bought the Lexington farm five years ago this week.
A four-year absence from the Derby ends Saturday with a trio of Kentucky-bred colts in Hence (15-1), Patch (30-1) and Sonneteer (50-1) all seeking the farm’s first victory since Forward Pass in 1968. No matter how it ends, Calumet’s return is welcome and fitting in a sport heavy on tradition.