Pat Day had made one tiny mistake in an otherwise masterful performance from post number 17. He could have kept Forty Niner out toward the middle of the track where Winning Colors would not have heard or seen his climatic charge. He chose to come in and drift right on top of the filly. Perhaps Forty Niner was just too tired to run straight.
Just as the wire loomed before them, Winning Colors dug in again, and again, then, with her best effort, she pulled the ground toward her and lengthened her long, powerful, gorgeous body forward, and she stretched out to win by the length of her gray head.
Chapter 10
Drug Dogs
Some of the NBC TV cameras at the Kentucky Derby followed Winning Colors as she galloped out after her win. The other camera operators were searching for D. Wayne Lukas and his group’s celebration. They couldn’t find the winning trainer, but one of the operators found Eugene Klein celebrating with his hands above his head, giving the NFL referee’s touchdown signal.
In reference to Klein, announcer Jim McKay said, “Football was never like this!”
Klein knew, after experiencing two heart attacks, this was likely his last chance for a Derby win and it was the greatest sporting moment he could imagine. Klein accepted the trophy saying, “I would really like to salute all the women in America…this one is for all you gals.”
A reporter asked him,” Mr. Klein how many races have you won? And how much money?”
“I don’t really know, but we have won over 300 races and over $25,000,000 in purses.”
“Have you made a profit in racing now?”
“I think so…if you discount what my wife has bet!”
Lukas was still in the small out-of-the-way alcove. He’d achieved the most difficult training accomplishment in the world of horse racing—going from training cheap quarter horses in South Dakota in 1967, to the Winner’s Circle in the 1988 Kentucky Derby. At age 57, there was nothing in the world of American horse training that he had left to do. He wanted to run to his wife Shari, and to his family, and to the Kleins, but mostly he wanted to run to his son Jeff, to celebrate what they had accomplished together. In that emotional moment, he worked to absorb that he had just won the one race that had eluded him on his quest to be the greatest trainer in American history. He let it sink in.
He then stood tall and walked with elegance to the Winner’s Circle. Every person he saw on the way congratulated him, and the fans cheered him as he arrived into their view.
He saw his son Jeff, and Luis. Both were walking Winning Colors to the Winner’s Circle. They were surrounded by hundreds of people, all giving congratulations.
As a camera operator found him, Lukas hugged his son and raised Jeff’s fist into the air. Lukas addressed the national television audience: “I want to thank my son. He did it…and he worked so hard. This is for all our guys…we are on top of the world…and we are looking down!”
As Gary Stevens dismounted, he saw his friend, jockey Jacinto Vasquez, who yelled to him, “I guess you do know how to win a Derby!”
Stevens came to the infield, to the NBC stage. He looked like a million dollars as he took off his helmet. Every hair was in place as he explained, “I asked her at the quarter pole for her life…and she gave it to me! We tried to steal it…and that’s what we did! The last 25 seconds of the race were the longest 25 seconds of my life.”
He then accepted the keys to a new car for an added victory bonus.
Luis had found a good vantage point to watch the race on the ground near the horse tunnel. When his Mamacita crossed the wire, he exploded in joy, jumping up and down again, and again. Then he rushed down to the track to await her triumphant return to the Winner’s Circle. He knew that she did not like to be in crowds. He pushed the fans away from her and gave her space with his arms before he draped a heavy blanket of fresh red roses over her neck. Only then did he kneel and make the sign of the cross, then wept tears of joy.
In his mind’s eye, he saw her as a baby 2-year-old frolicking on her back in her stall, the times he gave her treats, the times he’d given her fresh straw every night before he left her stall, and the times he traveled with her across the country to keep her safe. His tears spilled for each day that she’d come back to him uninjured from competition and training. He cried for all the good ways that Winning Colors, Mamacita, had changed his life.
Mr. Lukas would likely have other chances to be in the Winner’s Circle of the Kentucky Derby. But for Luis, born into poverty in Mexico, Winning Colors had been his one chance to win the ultimate race. His family and friends had watched him on national television as he walked the filly into the Winner’s Circle.
Tucked away in his wallet was the Caesars Palace Futures 100-1 bet ticket. It was now worth $200,000. I’m going to need a bigger box in our closet, he thought.
Miami, Dino, and Big Bernie exploded in celebration as Winning Colors crossed the finish line in front. They hugged each other and then hugged the Mexican cowboys next to them. Miami found Camila and hugged her. He asked her to bring margaritas for everybody.
Dino’s big white suitcase was the center of their attention. They were ready to stuff it with as many hundred-dollar bills as it would allow. Dino couldn’t stand still. He was hopping around like a
