ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s the greatest two minutes in sports. The 150th Kentucky Derby Run of the Roses is Saturday, and there’s one horse helping shine a spotlight on Colorado.
West Saratoga is considered a longshot in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
“To be in the race, though, it's fantastic,” said West Saratoga’s owner, Harry Veruchi. “It's a dream come true and I'm very honored to be here.”
Veruchi purchased the thoroughbred a few years ago for just $11,000.
“He just kept getting bigger and bigger,” said Veruchi.
Now the horse is worth six figures.
“This horse is getting more publicity probably than any other horse,” said Veruchi. “I don't know why. Probably because it's such a great story."
That story begins in Colorado, along West Saratoga Avenue in Englewood.
“I grew up on that street,” said Veruchi. “It was about six blocks from Centennial Racetrack. I had a friend that would go with me, and we brought candy bars. He'd pick a horse. I'd pick a horse. Whoever finished the best would get the candy bar.”
When Veruchi grew up, he traded in the candy for cash. Then, when he purchased the Kentucky Derby horse a few years ago, Veruchi decided to pay homage to the place where it all began – the street he grew up on.
“I always thought that was a cool name.”
That’s how West Saratoga got his name.
“I'm a Colorado boy,” said Veruchi. “Always will be."
It'll be easy to spot West Saratoga in Saturday’s Run for the Roses because he's the only gray horse in the race, and his jockey's silks (jersey) is the Colorado State Flag.
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