2 Kentucky Derby horses are part-owned by this Georgia ownership group
While the majority of horses in the Kentucky Derby were born in the Bluegrass State, the Peach State can claim an ownership connection to two contenders.
Atlanta-based West Paces Racing is a part-owner of both Dornoch and Society Man, the former having the better odds to win the race at 20-1. Danny Gargan, who is the trainer for both horses, said Dornoch is "the best horse I’ve ever trained," according to Buckhead.com.
WPR was founded in 2019 by a group of friends, most of whom had an affiliation with the Cherokee Town Club, which is located on West Paces Ferry Road.
One of the co-founders, Keith Mason, a University of Georgia graduate, served as Gov. Zell Miller’s chief of staff and in the Clinton administration.
Mason and fellow co-founder Larry Connolly had previously been involved in horse ownership, beginning with the Donegal Racing syndicate, according to Buckhead.com.
Betting: Who can beat the favorite in Kentucky Derby 2024? These are four horses to bet on
Kentucky Derby contender Dornoch background
Dornoch is full brothers with 2023 Derby winner Mage. Their sire is Good Magic, who placed second in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, and dam is Puca, by 2008 Derby winner Big Brown.
Dornoch was purchased for $325,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Former professional baseball player Jayson Werth is also a co-owner of Dornoch.
Jockey: Luis Saez, 0 for 10 in Derby. Best finish was third with Essential Quality in 2021.
Record: 3-2-0 in six starts
Career earnings: $552,275
Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 75 (No. 8)
Last race: Fourth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 6 at Keeneland
Kentucky Derby contender Society Man background
Like Dornoch, Society Man was sired by Good Magic. Society Man was purchased for $85,000 at 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
Jockey: Frankie Dettori, 0 for 1 in Derby. Finished sixth with China Visit in 2000.
Record: 1-1-1 in five starts
Career earnings: $196,705
Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 50 (No. 16)
Last race: Second in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 6 at Aqueduct, 2 ¼ lengths behind Resilience
2024 Kentucky Derby horses and odds
Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Morning-line odds (American odds)* |
1 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 20-1 (+2000) |
2 | Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione | 3-1 (+300) |
3 | Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 20-1 (+2000) |
4 | Catching Freedom | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 8-1 (+800) |
5 | Catalytic | Saffie Joseph Jr. | José Ortiz | 30-1 (+3000) |
6 | Just Steel | D. Wayne Lukas | Keith Asmussen | 20-1 (+2000) |
7 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Ben Curtis | 20-1 (+2000) |
8 | Just a Touch | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 10-1 (+1000) |
9 | T O Password | Daisuke Takayanagi | Kazushi Kimura | 30-1 (+3000) |
10 | Forever Young | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai | 10-1 (+1000) |
11 | Track Phantom | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 20-1 (+2000) |
12 | West Saratoga | Larry Demeritte | Jesús Castañón | 50-1 (+5000) |
13 | Endlessly | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 30-1 (+3000) |
14 | Domestic Product | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 30-1 (+3000) |
15 | Grand Mo the First | Victor Barboza Jr. | Emisael Jaramillo | 50-1 (+5000) |
16 | Fierceness | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5-2 (+250) |
17 | Stronghold | Phil D'Amato | Antonio Fresu | 20-1 (+2000) |
18 | Resilience | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 20-1 (+2000) |
19 | Society Man | Danny Gargan | Frankie Dettori | 50-1 (+5000) |
20 | Epic Ride | John Ennis | Adam Beschizza | 30-1 (+3000) |
USA TODAY Network reporters Jason Frakes and Alexis Cubit contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Kentucky Derby field: 2 horses owned by Georgia's West Paces Racing
