Connecticut racehorse owners Ralph Durante and John Buckley are at the Kentucky this weekend to watch one of their own run for the roses.
Durante said he knows it's a long shot, but it's one he's been waiting for since he and Buckley started Durante-Buckley Stable in North Haven 17 years ago.
"For me, to even be in the race is great. To finish four, five, I'd be delighted," Durante said.
Keen Ice is the 3-year-old horse that's making the dream come true. He's number 20 of 20 selected to run in the Derby.
"He was 22 about two weeks ago. Last week he dropped down to 21 because somebody backed out, and then last Friday, was when we finally got somebody else to drop, so he's the 20th horse. He's the last one in," Durante said.
As of Thursday, Keen Ice is also the longest shot on the board.
"We're 50-1 right now," Durante said.
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But it doesn't matter to Durante, who has box seats at Churchill Downs to watch Keen Ice run on Saturday.
"I just hope the horse runs good, and I hope we have a great time, and you know, I manage my expectations," he said. "I want him to run good. I want him to give it his best."
He's also keeping an eye on his filly Puca, who is competing in the Kentucky Oaks on Friday. The Kentucky Oaks is considered the Derby for mares.
You can watch the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby starting at 4 p.m. Saturday on NBC or streaming here.
