As the racing writer for the Lexington Herald- Leader, I have won three Eclipse Awards in thoroughbred racing, three Hervey Awards in harness racing, and I have had a lifetime of working with horses, on the track and in the show ring. But most of all, I simply enjoy horses. The opportunity to write about them has been a true gift.
Alicia Wincze is a general assignment sportswriter, covering everything from the Kentucky Derby to girls' soccer. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
Saluting the colonel; Affirmed remembered
Posted by Maryjean Wall on April 30, 2008
Thirty years ago when Affirmed won the Triple Crown with Steve Cauthen, 18, as his jockey, brother Doug Cauthen was 15. Now, the latter is president and CEO of WinStar Farm.
Cauthen was at Churchill Downs Wednesday to visit the two Derby hopefuls owned all or in part by WinStar: Colonel John (owned entirely by WinStar) and Court Vision (owned in partnership with IEAH Stables). He is reminded a lot this week of the 30-year anniversary of his brother winning the Triple Crown. There has not been a Triple Crown winner since that one.
“I’m focused on WinStar horses,” Cauthen said, “but it’s fun to reminisce. There was a nice video (on Bloodhorse.com) about Steve and (jockey) Jorge Velazquez. But it’s been 30 years, and as proud as I am of him it’s time for a new Triple Crown winner. I hope one of these is the one.”
WinStar has put into motion quite a marketing blitz for this Derby, particularly for Colonel John. Cauthen was handing out Colonel John baseball caps Wednesday morning, along with a booklet titled, “Official Field Guide: Kentucky Derby 134.” Because of Colonel John’s name, everything has an Army theme. WinStar also had posters made for Colonel John and Court Vision. There’s information about Court Vision on the WinStar web site,Winstarfarm.com. Colonel John has his own site, ColonelJohn2008.com.
The Official Field Guide tells how Colonel John got his name: it comes from Colonel John Geider, 52, who in 2005 served seven months in Iraq. Guider, of Dallas, is in charge of security and transportation for Ken Troutt, co-owner of WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. He has served 28 years in active and reserve components of the U. S. Air Force and U. S. Army. Currently he is an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel.
Photo By Maryjean Wall/Staff
Kentucky Derby Day 2008 « PoliSci@UST said
[...] John today — if for no other reason than the fact that the horse’s namesake is Army Reserve Lt. Col. John Geider of Dallas, who served in [...]