If you’re considering having a bet on the 2011 Kentucky Derby but don’t know which horse to pick, we’ve found a horse that you’ll be backing to win even if you hadn’t bet on it.
Mucho Macho Man is owned by Dean Reeves, a man who to describe as ‘happy’ would be like calling Mount Everest ‘big’.
He only got into horse racing four years ago and this horse is one of his first ever two-year-olds.
People often say just getting to the Kentucky Derby is an achievement but for Reeves it’s downright incredible.
However anyone who feels any sort of jealousy or spite towards him soon has it taken away.
“That was all I wanted,” Reeves said.
“It’s was never about winning. It was about sitting in the front row with my family when our position was drawn and that number went up. That’s when I said, ‘We did it.’ That’s when it became very, very special for me.”
It’s being called the Cinderella story of the Kentucky derby and it’s hard to think of any other way to describe it.
Mucho Macho Man is trained by Kathy Ritvo who not only is trying to become the first female trainer to win a Kentucky Derby, she’d surely also be the first winner who has had a heart transplant.
There’s a sense of fate about it all which as Reeves explains goes all the way to the barrier draw.
“Kathy said she thought we would get 13 before the drawing began,” Reeves said.
“Her birthday is the 13th. She received her heart transplant on the 13th. Mucho Macho Man has 13 letters. There was just a lot of signs.”
Like clockwork the 13th marble was drawn and yet another piece was put in place for the greatest Derby story ever told.
“It felt like God was telling us something,” Patti Reeves said.
The number 13 isn’t what they want to see on race day though, especially with so many records to smash and history just waiting to be re-written.
The potential first winning female trainer in history, a once impossible dream considering Ritvo had her heart transplant less than 12 months ago..
“I bet I’m giving half-a-dozen interviews a day,” Reeves said.
“But Kathy is doing twice that many and getting out with Macho early. She has been tremendous. I don’t know how she’s done it.”
Highlighting just how much the race means to him Reeves was determined to share the experience with all his family and friends.
In typical style though this wasn’t a throw away comment, he really means it.
After the draw he was on a chartered bus with 50 invited guests on their way to a party he had organised at some nearby stables.
It was complete with all manner of food, drinks and entertainment and of course a timely rendition of the YMCA’s ‘Macho Macho Man’.
It’s obvious Reeve’s understands just how unique an opportunity this is and he isn’t going to waste a moment enjoying every minute.
“I’ve been up here (in Kentucky) for two weeks now,” Reeves said
“I’ve spent $35,000 on tickets and rented 50 rooms in two hotels so that family and friends could share this moment with me.
“I’ve been stressing on every little thing, worrying about getting out to see (Macho) breeze, worrying about getting everybody in town and coordinating all of this. But now the hard part is behind us. No matter what happens from here on, we’re here. We’ve made it.”
The question every punter wants to know though, is the dream a reality? Can Mucho Macho Man actually win the 2011 Kentucky Derby?
“Macho will win his races,” he said.
“Whether it’s here on Saturday or at the Preakness in two weeks, he’ll win his races.
“Once that gate opens on Saturday, no matter what else happens, I’ll be the happiest man alive.”
