Derby memories: Silver Charm's win sparks a lifelong friendship

In the absence of a Kentucky Derby renewal this first Saturday in May, Horse Racing Nation writers are looking back at some of their favorite runnings throughout the week.

When asked to detail my favorite Kentucky Derby memory, I wasn't sure where to begin.

Do I go with Alysheba, the horse that started it all for me in 1987? The run by Sunday Silence in the 1989 Derby that was the coldest day at a racetrack I have ever experienced? I almost went with Animal Kingdom's win in 2011. That was my favorite Derby for monetary reasons.

But when all things are considered, the 1997 Kentucky Derby tops them all for me.

Before that year, I had attended several Kentucky Derbys, but it was no easy task. Living outside of Chicago, I had to convince friends who were not racing fans to make the drive down to Louisville with me. It was also very difficult to get hotel rooms near Churchill, especially when you're young and just entering the job force. 

Early on, we would stay in hotels 45 minutes away from Churchill and pay general admission to stake our place on the infield. Those are days I'll never forget. We barely caught a glimpse of the Kentucky Derby horses running, but it was all worth it to be there in person.

In 1997, we upped our gate, booking a hotel right on the Ohio River. We bought actual tickets on the track apron that placed us about 50 yards before the finish line. The stage was set for my group's memorable Derby.

In the weeks leading up to the '97 renewal, I was excited for several reasons. For starters, I was convinced it was an above-average 3-year-old crop, the best since the famed 1987 class of sophomores. I was also high on one horse in particular: Silver Charm.

He caught my eye when, at age 2, he won the Del Mar Futurity in game fashion. He didn't run again until February while making his 3-year-old debut a winning one in the San Vicente over Free House.

Although Silver Charm lost his next two starts, game runner-up finishes to Free House in the both the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby, he showed me enough.

In the Santa Anita Derby, Silver Charm became my Kentucky Derby horse as soon as he crossed the wire. He did all the running in that race as he went head and head with the quick filly, Sharp Cat, through fast fractions. When Free House headed Silver Charm in the stretch, the race looked over. But there was Silver Charm again showing his grit as he came back on the rail to just miss at the wire.

I was convinced Silver Charm was my Derby "lock" and told anyone who would listen.

Silver Charm and Free House swept all of the West Coast prep races. Crypto Star was the Louisiana and Arkansas Derby winner. Captain Bodgit was the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial winner. And lastly, the highly regarded Pulpit won the Blue Grass.

The stage was set for an epic Kentucky Derby, and those five horses clearly stood out.

We arrived at Churchill Downs early that Saturday morning and went to our seats. We made our usual wagers on the undercard events, and I struck up conversation with the some folks sitting directly in front of us. They were from California, a stone's throw from Hollywood Park they said. We hit it off, and it helped that we cashed some bets on shared tickets.

As we moved closer to the Derby, I was mostly concerned with Captain Bodgit. This was a horse I had great respect for and felt that with the right trip, he could spoil things for Silver Charm. But I also figured that if Silver Charm was on or near the lead in the stretch, his grit would put him over the top.

The 1997 Kentucky Derby only had 13 horses run, well below today's standard. So the prices were not very good on the horses we liked. Silver Charm went off as the second choice at 4-1, while Captain Bodgit was 3-1.

Outside of win wagers on Silver Charm, these two horses we keyed and on top of our superfecta ticket. It wasn't an expensive bet as we boxed Free House (10-1), Crypto Star (9-2), and Pulpit (5-1) underneath. For a $1 ticket it was only $6 total, so we bet it 10 times. Our new friends in front of us took our advice and played it, too.

We stood up for the start of the race and, as the horses passed us for the first time, I was a bit concerned with where Silver Charm sat between horses and behind the the front runners.

On the backstretch, jockey Gary Stevens guided Silver Charm outside for clear running. Around the far turn, Silver Charm moved in to third. And when I saw the 3/4-mile time go up of 1:12 and change, I was ecstatic. Captain Bodgit, a known deep closer, would need a bit more pace to run at to win.

Turning for home Silver Charm raced up along side Free House and took over. Then came Captain Bodgit in the center of the track, and the race was on. What I remember most about those final 50 yards was just how loud it was from my vantage point. Absolutely deafening.

In the end, Silver Charm prevailed by a head over a worthy adversary.

My attention immediately turned to the third- and fourth-place finishers. I knew Free House was a clear third, but there was three-way photo for fourth. Crypto Star edged Pulpit and Phantom on Tour for fourth. Both we and our newfound friends were happy.

I know, reading this now you think,'You cashed on a 4-1 winner and a $350 superfecta ticket. Big deal.' Well, back then it was a big deal to us.

The postscript to this story is why the 1997 Derby ranks as my favorite memory. 

The race after the Derby I had studied and based off my hunch play, a horse named Receiver who went off at 15-1. Our California friends had money to spend, so they went big on Receiver. I was more conservative, but he paid more than $30.

It was quite a celebration we had. At the conclusion of the race, our friends offered to take my group out to dinner. Off we went.

Over steaks, we discussed the Breeders' Cup to held at Hollywood Park later that year. They invited us to come out and stay with them. I had never been to Hollywood Park, and the the idea seemed great. But it was six months away. Who knows if we were going to stay in contact? We exchanged numbers and vowed to stay in touch.

Sure enough, as November neared I made my reservations and flew out to California. It was unbelievable. Paul and his family showed me a great time, providing the tickets to the Breeders' Cup where we sat near the finish line. It was my only trip to the since-shuttered Hollywood Park.

Over the years, I've continued to talk to Paul and his family, who got into the racehorse business all thanks to that 1997 Derby trip. We continue to discuss pedigrees and horses he's considering claiming.

I also visited Silver Charm a couple years back. It was just him and me with no one else around at Old Friends Farm. I stood with him for 30 minutes or so and I pretty much recited this whole story to him. Yep, I talked to the horse about his Derby run.

Even though he was only standing there because I kept rubbing his head, Silver Charm stood calmly and listened. What a moment.

The Silver Charm Kentucky Derby was the most exciting I have seen before or since. It had it all all, with the two favorites battling it out to the wire and five of the top six betting choices finished finished first through fifth.

That entire Triple Crown series also ranks among the best I've seen behind the Affirmed-Alydar battles in 1978. If you haven't watched them, I encourage you to do so now.

Now 20 plus years removed, the friendship and experiences gained from that special day will never be forgotten.