After her longshot win in the Blue Grass, the media was all over Theworldisahead. After shipping her to Churchill Downs, Churchill posted extra security outside my shared barn.
Since I didn't have more than 5 horses, I shared the barn with another small-time trainer, Andrew Griff, a 20-year old British man. He was very interested in Theworldisahead, and we became good friends quickly.
The pressure from the public began to wear on me, and I got a cot shipped to the barn that I slept on. I couldn't bear to leave for fear of someone sabotaging my chances at the Derby. I don't know how John handled it, but he seemed fine. He did have the advantage of being able to beat up any of the reporters if he wanted to...
Tag didn't come to visit once. He was getting Joey ready at Pimlico for the Pimlico Special (Gr III). This would be Joey's stakes debut, and we both wanted him to win.
I had Johnny V breeze Theworldisahead two days after she arrived at Churchill (4 days after she won the Bluegrass). I had her work a fast mile in 1:34 on the dirt the next day. She worked 6 furlongs in 1:10 and another mile in 1:33.15.
Other trainers thought I was overworking Theworldisahead, but only one of them actually suggested I not work her as much. I said to Michael Matz, in response to his suggestion, that she thrived on longer works and I didn't give Johnny V a time to go, she just worked as hard as she wanted to. Michael told me that if I ever wanted to sell a share in her, he would be quite willing to buy it.
I had Theworldisahead breeze 2 times in the week leading up to the Derby, but they were slow works, partly because I didn't know her post position until halfway through the week. After attending the post draw and getting the outside post, I had Theworldisahead breeze around the very outside edge of the track to get her ready for running on the outside.
The field for the Kentucky Derby:
Post) Horse/Sire/Odds
1)Fire Now
Ghostzapper
(15-1)
2)Lover's Revenge
Palace Malice
(5-2)
3)Light Steps
Footbridge
(40-1)
4)Gunner Jackson
Last Gunfighter
(25-1)
5)Hello Goodbye
Revolutionary
(10-1)
6)Nashville
Speightstown
(5-1)
7)Man of Steel
Mucho Macho Man
(3-1)
8)I'll Be There
Tapiture
(9-1)
9)Full Of It
Flat Out
(5-1)
10)Right There
Redeemed
(5-1)
11)Zed's Dead
Mr. Z
(8-1)
12)Heading South
Bellamy Road
(15-1)
13)Just Finished
Shackleford
(3-1)
14)Vielen Dank
Declaration of War
(12-1)
15)Cutthroat Tactics
Will Take Charge
(5-2)
16)De Gama
Verrazano
(10-1)
17)It's Bruce
Bullsbay
(10-1)
18)Canufeelthelove
Goldencents
(5-1)
19)Heartland
Normandy Invasion
(20-1)
20)Theworldisahead
Animal Kingdom
(40-1)
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All Her Own
AdventureTaylor has loved horse racing since she was 10. She never had a chance to really get into the business, despite watching horses train at her uncle's farm, until she gets an odd, rare opportunity at her uncle's funeral. After buying a foal, it is Tay...
