Secretariat and jockey Ron Turcotte head to the track for the Belmont Stakes. Photo by Bob Coglianese

“He is moving like a tremendous machine!”

This moment of Chic Anderson’s call of the 1973 Belmont Stakes is forever etched into history. Under the blue and white checkered silks of Penny Chenery’s Meadow Stables, Secretariat was widening his lead on his rival Sham along the vast final turn at Belmont Park. Having just won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Secretariat was just moments away from an elusive Triple Crown win.

It had been 25 years since American racing had seen a Triple Crown winner. The roar of the crowd was deafening as their hopes rested on “Big Red.” And with each passing stride, the crowd grew louder with confidence as the colt continued to put lengths between him and the rest of the field.

In another iconic moment, Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte, looked back over his shoulder to see just how far ahead he was of the other horses. It was clear there would be no catching the red colt. To the cheers of an overwhelmed, dazzled crowd, Secretariat crossed the finish line 31 lengths in front – a performance that has never been replicated.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of that historic day. On June 9, 1973, Secretariat stamped himself as the greatest of all time and earned his place as a lifelong favorite in the hearts of racing fans and horse lovers alike. Those titles still stand 50 years later.

Secretariat retired to stud in late 1973, after a career that saw 16 wins from 21 starts – a multitude of graded stakes wins among those victories. In 2023, he still holds the stakes record for the fastest times ever achieved in all three Triple Crown races. His Kentucky Derby time of 1:59.40 for 1 ¼ miles still stands as the track record at Churchill Downs, as does his Belmont Stakes time of 2:24.00 for 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park.

While Secretariat’s career at stud did not quite replicate the brilliance of his racing career, his effect on the bloodlines of the Thoroughbred racehorse is still felt in modern-day breeding. In fact, all nine horses in this year’s Belmont Stakes trace back to Secretariat.

But it remains Secretariat’s racing achievements that are talked of year after year. That has been especially true throughout this year’s Triple Crown, as racing fans celebrate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s historic accomplishment. Five decades later, and the impact of Big Red still resonates.

This article about the 50th anniversary of Secrerariat’s Triple Crown is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Photo by Samantha Bussanich

It’s the first Saturday in May, and in Louisville, Ky., that can only mean one thing: it’s Kentucky Derby Day.

Each year on this day (aside from the delayed, no-spectator race in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), a large field of 3-year-old Thoroughbreds step out onto the esteemed Churchill Downs oval to compete for the garland of roses—one of the highest honors in horse racing.

Steeped in tradition, the Kentucky Derby is the first leg in American racing’s Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes in Maryland two weeks later and the Belmont Stakes in New York three weeks after that. Only 13 horses in history have achieved the feat of sweeping all three races, and only two have done so since 1978.

But before a horse has a shot at etching his name in the Triple Crown history books, he must first overcome the greatest two minutes in sports: the Kentucky Derby.

This year—after multiple scratches in the final days leading up to the race, including the forced scratch of Lord Miles as a result of the suspension of trainer Saffie Joseph and the scratch of morning line favorite Forte this morning—the field will feature 18 horses. Just shy of its full capacity of 20 horses, all three also-eligible entries drew in as a result of the scratches. Of course, an also-eligible upset the Derby last year when Rich Strike shocked the world at 80-1 odds from the #21 post.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby Field

Will another long shot take everyone by surprise at the Churchill Downs finish line this year?

Any horse that breaks from the starting gate has a shot—and that’s what creates so much anticipation, excitement, and, of course, betting strategies. Let’s take a look at each horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

1. Hit Show (30-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Race Record: 5 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $404,375

Second by just a nose last out in the Wood Memorial, Hit Show is one of four entrants for trainer Brad Cox. His only finish out of the money did come at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old, but this long shot is on the improve.

2. Verifying (15-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $489,900

In his last start, Verifying finished only a neck behind morning line second choice Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass. He has yet to achieve a win in graded stakes company, but at the best of his game, his speed figures are among the best in the field. He will need that kind of effort to stay with the best here.

3. Two Phil’s (12-1)
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Race Record: 8 starts: 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $683,450

Among the six entering the Derby off of a win, Two Phil’s was a dominant winner of his final prep, but that came on a synthetic surface. He has finished behind the likes of fellow contenders Forte, Confidence Game, Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder. He will need to repeat the level of his last effort, but he will have many fans cheering for him.

4. Confidence Game (20-1)
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
Race Record: 7 starts: 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $785,525

Out of a half-sister to the great race mare Zenyatta, Confidence Game has not run since February 25, but that race resulted in a win in the Rebel Stakes. He has won twice in four starts at Churchill, but with over two months since his last race and speed figures that show room for improvement, a win would take a lifetime best effort.

5. Tapit Trice (5-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
Race Record: 5 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
Career Earnings: $883,650

The second choice on the morning line, Tapit Trice is the stablemate of scratched morning line favorite Forte. Undefeated in 2023, the gray colt enters the Kentucky Derby off of wins in the 2023 Blue Grass Stakes and Tampa Bay Derby. He has done nothing wrong this year.

6. Kingsbarns (12-1)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Race Record: 3 starts: 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $657,300

One of the most lightly raced horses in this field with only three starts, all of which have been as a 3-year-old, he is nonetheless defeated in each of those. An easy winner of the Louisiana Derby last out, it’s difficult to knock this colt for anything other than his lack of experience.

7. Reincarnate (50-1)
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: John Velazquez
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $345,650

Third behind Angel of Empire and King Russell last out in the Arkansas Derby, Reincarnate has not won since the Sham Stakes in January. As his races have gotten longer, his speed figures have dropped, which is cause for concern.

8. Mage (15-1)
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Race Record: 3 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $247,200

Another contender with only three lifetime starts, Mage enters the Derby after nearly dethroning Champion 2-Year-Old and Derby morning line favorite Forte in the Florida Derby. Second there, this is a colt full of potential.

9. SCRATCHED

10. SCRATCHED

11. Disarm (30-1)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Race Record: 5 starts: 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $327,850

Trained by racing’s all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen, Disarm is a spitting image of his champion sire, Gun Runner. He has only won in maiden company and despite twice finishing in the money in graded Derby preps, it will take a large jump in performance for Disarm to upset the Kentucky Derby.

12. Jace’s Road (50-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Race Record: 6 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $238,050

Jace’s Road has a very hit-or-miss race record, and has not won since a black-type stakes win as a 2-year-old in December. Effectively defeated in the Southwest Stakes and Louisiana Derby, Jace’s Road has the highest odds of the four Brad Cox entrants.

13. Sun Thunder (50-1)
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Race Record: 6 starts: 1 win, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $247,500

Out of the money in his last two starts and out of the winner’s circle since his maiden win as a 2-year-old on New Year’s Eve, Sun Thunder has been soundly defeated by a number of fellow Derby contenders. He does get blinkers added for this race to try to get him focused on the race earlier, but the question is if that will make enough difference.

14. Angel of Empire (8-1)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 1 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,069,375

Angel of Empire enters off of two Derby prep wins, including a dominant victory in the April 1 Arkansas Derby. This colt has steadily improved over the course of his career, and seems to be peaking at the right time.

15. SCRATCHED

16. Raise Cain (50-1)
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third
Career Earnings: $296,328

Raise Cain dominated the Gotham Stakes in the mud two starts back, but was a disappointing fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes behind Tapit Trice next out. His only other win came in maiden company, hence the 50-1 odds.

17. Derma Sotogake (10-1)
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Jockey:Christophe Lemaire
Race Record: 8 starts: 4 wins, 0 seconds, 2 thirds
Career Earnings: $1,162,164

Despite the scratch of Continuar, Japan is still represented by two runners in Derma Sotogake and Mandarin Hero. A runaway winner of the UAE Derby in Dubai last out, Derma Sotogake looks to continue the wave of Japanese success on the world’s biggest racing stage. A Kentucky Derby win eludes the country, but this colt looks like he just may have the chance to make history.

18. Rocket Can (30-1)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $383,413

Although Rocket Can kicked off the year with a win in the Holy Bull Stakes, he has regressed since then. Most recently fourth as the beaten favorite in the Arkansas Derby, Rocket Can has the expertise of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott on his side but may be past his peak.

19. SCRATCHED

20. SCRATCHED

21. Cycle Mischief (30-1)
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Race Record: 7 starts: 2 wins, 0 seconds, 3 thirds
Career Earnings: $246,350

Drawing in as an also-eligible, Cycle Mischief has never won a stakes race. He has, however, been third behind favorite Forte in his last two starts so has proven he can be competitive against the best. However, to defeat them, it will take his best performance yet.

22. Mandarin Hero (20-1)
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Race Record: 6 starts: 4 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $386,854

The other contender for Japan, Mandarin Hero was second by just a nose in the Santa Anita Derby behind the scratched Practical Move in his most recent start—which was also his first race stateside. His only other loss also came at a narrow margin, and his Santa Anita speed figure is among the best in the field. Could it be fate that he drew into the race?

23. King Russell (50-1)
Trainer: Ron Moquett
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
Race Record: 6 starts: 1 win, 3 seconds, 0 thirds
Career Earnings: $322,350

It took this colt five tries to finally break his maiden, but he seemed to have figured it out then, as he finished second in the grade one Arkansas Derby in his very next start. He’d have to make another massive leap here to spring the upset.

Regardless of who you pick, the 2023 Kentucky Derby is sure to be full of excitement. If you don’t want to miss a second of the action, tune in to NBC today from 12:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, with various other races on the undercard throughout the day before the Derby starting gates open at 6:57 ET. Coverage is also available to stream live on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.

This preview of the 2023 Kentucky Derby is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Taylor Made sells more Thoroughbreds at public auction than any other sales agency in the world. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

The COVID-19 pandemic changed nearly everything about life as we know it: How we worked, how we shopped, how we interacted with others and, for many, how we prioritized what was important. Though most of us are still finding our way back to “normal,” there are some things that have shifted permanently.

The equine industry wasn’t immune to these pandemic-induced fluctuations, and things changed in ways no one could have predicted: lesson programs are booming, adoption organizations can’t keep horses in stalls, and the market for a quality horse (or even not-so-quality!) is through the roof.

The Farm Labor Shortage

And yet, even with all these positives, the industry is still on the edge of a crisis. Farm and barn owners throughout the country can’t find enough staff to keep their operations running smoothly, no matter what they offer in the form of pay or incentives.

The iconic scenes of the Kentucky bluegrass require hard work and serious labor upkeep. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

Post-COVID, a combination of factors has contributed to the labor shortage in the equine economy (and most other agricultural industries). These include older employees opting to retire rather than go back to work; the return of many immigrant workers to their home countries; the reluctance of young people to enter any equine- or ag-related field; and people realizing that they don’t want the always-on lifestyle many equine jobs require.

Unlike businesses that handle non-living commodities, the lack of labor could have a direct effect on horse health and welfare. Farm employees can’t simply check on the horses and their water buckets via Zoom; a domesticated horse’s very survival is dependent on humans to show up and care for him.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, farms are having more and more trouble finding workers to take care of their horses. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

This workforce crisis has forced the equine industry to expand their search for workers. One farm in the heart of horse country is using a unique method to staff their farm and barns—and changing lives in the process.

A Family Affair

Family owned and operated since 1976, Taylor Made has grown from a small boarding farm to a powerhouse in the Thoroughbred industry, selling more Thoroughbreds at public auction than any other sales agency in the world.

Taylor Made Farm has more than 500 horses on 1,100 acres and needs a robust workforce to care for them. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

Overseen by brothers Duncan, Ben, Mark and Frank Taylor, the 1,100-acre farm is home to more than 500 horses and encompasses a breeding facility, a boarding facility for mares, and a nursery for foals. As the farm has grown, so has its need for additional workers. In the past, the farm has had no problem attracting staff who were eager to work in the horse world. However, their search, like many other farms in these challenging times, often comes up short.

An additional concern, though seemingly unrelated at the time, was the meteoric rise in addiction—the exact opposite of the trajectory of available farm workers. In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 20 million individuals in the United Stated had a substance use disorder; nearly one in 10 people have battled some form of addiction, reports the Recovery Research Institute. People in recovery fight many battles, a major one being that many have served jail time, which is an additional strike against them when they apply for jobs or even places to live.

With a family member battling addiction, Frank Taylor was thrown headfirst into the world of recovery. Aware of the skyrocketing addiction problem, he became acquainted with the Shepherd’s House in Lexington, Ky., a unique, long-term residential recovery program that focuses heavily on full-time employment and a structured environment to assist recovering males in their quest to regain control over their lives. The Shepherd’s House promotes personal responsibility, accountability, and fellowship, teaching residents life skills that will allow them to commit to a sober life.

The Shepherd’s House’s mission resonated deeply with Frank, whose dedication to work and to his family and friends shapes everything he—and Taylor Made—does. The more involved with the Shepherd’s House he became, the more resolute he became in his conviction that Taylor Made could help people in recovery at the same time they were helping themselves. The seed for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship was planted.

An Innovative Approach

When Frank approached the Shepherd’s House with the idea of bringing men in active recovery onto the farm and teaching them the skills they would need to get a job once they graduated from recovery, CEO Jerod Thomas was all in. Thomas was not a stranger to horses, but he is the first to mention that Frank is the brains behind the equine side of the program.

“I know that any time you work with any animal, [such as] horses or dogs, there’s a therapeutic piece that’s calming and forces people to take responsibility,” he explains.

Partnered with the Shepherd’s House, the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gives program participants 90 days of instruction on the ins and outs of the handling, care, and management of horses, after which men can be hired on full-time at Taylor Made or one of the other farms in the bluegrass. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

This program, the duo hoped, would be beneficial for everyone involved. But first it had to pass muster with the other Taylor brothers—not an easy sell. When Frank approached his brothers with his idea, they were initially hesitant; they were fearful that their horses or people would get hurt, or that the men would use drugs on the farm. Frank convinced them to give the pilot program a try, and if at any time their fears were founded, the program would be disbanded.

Thomas pulls no punches when he explains how people with addiction think.

“You can drop a drug addict in Atlanta [or any major city] in the dead of winter in a pair of shorts and he will find a way to get a car and get drugs,” he says. “The key [to the success of this program] was getting [people with addiction] to use their survival skills as work skills. If you can get that determination channeled into a work ethic, these guys can outwork anyone.”

That work ethic, by its very definition, is what the horse world is looking for.

But there are many more facets to a successful recovery than simply buckling down and working hard: it’s necessary for those in recovery to learn or re-learn life skills and emotional management.

“If you give these guys a job and daily living skills, there is not one thing they can’t do,” says Thomas. This innate belief in the value of those in recovery comes through in everything Thomas and the Shepherd’s House does. Frank was also able to see past the societal stigma and recognized that what these men needed was simply another chance—and COVID, and the resulting labor shortage, was going to give it to them. Partnered with the Shepherd’s House, the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gives program participants 90 days of instruction on the ins and outs of the handling, care, and management of horses, after which men can be hired on full-time at Taylor Made or one of the other farms in the bluegrass. Shepherd’s House residents are paid through the Kentucky Career Center.

Though the original plan was to have groups of three to five men with six to nine months of sobriety under their belts at a time on the farm, the Taylor Made team has discovered that if they hire people as they come and base the program on individuals rather than on a timeline, the program works better. Thus far, over half of the men who have graduated from the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship have been hired on as full-time farm staff.

Firsthand Experience

Josh Bryan was employed full-time with Taylor Made when he entered the Shepherd’s House with Frank’s support in 2020. Always a valuable farm employee, Josh became Frank’s right hand when it came to conceptualizing and launching the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship; someone who was in active recovery and also knew the inner workings of the farm proved invaluable.

“Hard work is a good way to keep the mind occupied, and horses are very therapeutic,” says Bryan. “We’ve found that guys who complete the program have grown in body, mind and spirit.”

From left to right, Frank Taylor, Ethan J., and Josh Bryan pictured. Bryan became Taylor’s right-hand man when launching the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship. Photo courtesy Taylor Made

One example of how well the Horsemanship School is working is Drew (last name withheld for privacy).

“He started with us a few months after the program was up and running,” says Bryan. “He has put his whole heart and soul not only into the farm and the horses he takes care of, but also into his recovery. When he first got to the farm, he was broken in all areas: mentally, physically and emotionally. As he got some horse experience under his belt, he fell in love with the work and developed a sense of pride and ownership in the horses. Now a full-time team member, Drew is running his own barn and he continues to grow all the time. He has a bright future ahead of him, not only at the farm, but also in his recovery.”

Drew and the other men in the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gain a new sense of purpose through their work.

“They become part of the family,” says Bryan. “They grow in all aspects of their lives. They develop a great work ethic and become very grateful and humble to come to work every day and have the opportunity to work for what they earn.”

This sense of camaraderie and fellowship is integral to how the Shepherd’s House operates—but this sense of teamwork is also essential for any farm to operate smoothly.

“We have big dreams for where the program is going,” says Bryan. “Our long-term goal is to make this type of program available nationwide—even worldwide. We are here to help as many people as possible.”

The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic are sure to be felt for years to come, but not all of them are negative. The opportunity for those in recovery to receive a second chance at meaningful employment—and for the equine industry to gain willing, capable workers—is truly game changing. Those of us lucky enough to love horses know how these creatures can heal so many things, people and economies included.

In Their Own Words

“The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship gave me something I never knew I was missing in life: An opportunity at a job that doesn’t feel like work. No medicine could replace what the horses do for me. [The school has] also given me a work ethic that has spilled over into all kinds of areas of my life, for which I am very thankful.” — Hunter B.

“Peace, watching the sun rise, humbleness, working with horses, and serenity when I pray before bed.” — Drew M. on what the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship has brought him.

“It has provided an opportunity for me to change my life with teaching me such an amazing trade. Two years ago, I was homeless, living in the woods with no future. Now I’m blessed to be working with Thoroughbred horses. It’s helped give me a sense of purpose and given me the ability to have goals; with Taylor Made’s help, I will reach them. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity to be a part of this program. It’s really helped save my life.” — Kaleb B.

The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship has “made my life in recovery enchanted; I also loved horses. God saw fit to place Taylor Made farm in my life. The impact has changed my life. [I am] so blessed.” — Jeremy J.

This article about Taylor Made School of Horsemanship appeared in the April 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Taylor Made School of Horsemanship Aids in Recovery appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.