This is from my trip to the Kentucky Derby of 1980, when the filly, Genuine Risk won. At that time, she was the first filly to win since Regret in 1915. She also ran in the Preakness and the Belmont, finishing second in both races, and she came in third in the Wood Memorial.
My Aunt Martha and Uncle Harry held box seats on the finish since the early 1940s, and their kids still have them.
There was much hoopla and sentimental wagering on the filly, but secretly, most people didn't expect her to win. When she crossed the finish line, Martha cried, tears streaming down her cheeks, "She won!!! She won!!!" It was a tremendous experience. View slideshow following jump
In the photos, you will note the sea of humanity everywhere you turned. It was announced there were over 92,000 people in the infield alone! The stands were standing room only. There had to be at least 150,000+ people there that day. It was thrilling beyond words and one of my "bucket list" type of experiences. I was fortunate to return in 1981 to see Pleasant Colony win, who went on to win the Preakness, but finished third in the Belmont.
Abigail Anderson's blog post, "Remembering Genuine Risk"
Kentucky Derby Winner, Thoroughbred Legend: Genuine Risk Remembered
Special BloodHorse publication honoring "Ginny"
Dan Fogelberg's "Run for the Roses"
"Composed especially for the 1980 running of the Kentucky Derby and ABC Sports. Written,recorded,mixed and debuted on national television all in two weeks. Sometimes it's easy." (Dan Fogelberg)
Slide Show of my trip to the 1980 Kentucky Derby
The "Run for the Roses" - Genuine Risk - 1980
First filly since Regret in 1915 to win the Kentucky Derby. She ran in the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, finishing a gallant second in both
And, in 1981, I witnessed Pleasant Colony take the first leg of the Triple Crown. He went on to win the Preakness but came up short in the Belmont Stakes, coming in third
