My visit to Derby winner Silver Charm 20 years in the making
On Sunday morning, the day after the wettest Kentucky Derby in history, and with the Churchill Downs track (and city of Louisville) still drying out, I made my way back home to Niagara Falls. As I drove, I could not help thinking back about the 123rd edition held in 1997.
My starting point for this story goes back to Feb. 8 of that year. On a cold Saturday afternoon, I sat in front of the television watching ABC’s "Wide World of Sports." Relying on said network to televise races every week from a different venue, showcasing potential Kentucky Derby contenders, was the weekly ritual during the era before the internet had a revolutionary impact on streaming racing to our mobile devices.
The race about to be broadcast was the San Vicente Stakes from beautiful Santa Anita Park. Nine horses were entered, and the one that intrigued me most was a gray colt that hadn’t raced since the previous September. His name was Silver Charm.
There wasn’t anything special I can recall about his win that afternoon. Even watching the replay, one can see he had a perfect trip. Nonetheless, when Silver Charm crossed under the finish line nearly two lengths to the good, his performance energized me to proclaim him my Kentucky Derby choice.
Taking into consideration the Derby preps were just commencing and the big race itself was still three months away, it was a bold pick. Usually, more often than not, such unabashed confidence ends in failure, disappointment and embarrassment. Time would tell if I would be ridiculed or viewed as a soothsayer.
My early winter inklings about Silver Charm were well founded into springtime as he registered back-to-back places in his next two preps, the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby, respectively. In both races, he was narrowly beaten by his rival, Free House, but come the first Saturday in May, things were different in the Run for the Roses. Silver Charm battled down the stretch to reach the front, put away Free House and then held off a furious late run from Captain Bodgit to win by a head, culminating my thrills and gratification.
I fell to my knees and cried tears of happiness.
By virtue of my early prognostication, I immediately felt connected to Silver Charm, even if it was via human-to-horse telepathy. It’s a strong bond that has never left me. Even though Silver Charm has been retired from racing since 1999, my deep love and admiration for him never diminished. He now resides at Old Friends, an aftercare facility in Georgetown, Ky.
On my way to Louisville for this year’s Kentucky Derby, I visited the 1997 winner. He’s 24 years old now, and his once iron-gray coat, aged by time, has turned as white as former trainer Bob Baffert’s hair.
I had waited for this moment for a very long time. Finally, here I was, face to face with a Champion. He looked magnificent. Slowly, he lowered his head toward my side, and I knew it was my cue from the Derby Champ that this meeting would only continue if I feed him the carrot slices that were provided by the farm.
Naturally I was prepared.
As he nibbled away at them, I relayed how his San Vicente win started it all, while patting his massive neck and stroking his beautiful face, before planting a kiss on his nose. I’m well aware my story was one of countless that Silver Charm has heard from his many admirers, but he seemed to soak it all in nonetheless. And for just a brief moment, he stopped chewing and stared at me, as if to say, “thank you."
After my visit at the farm ended, I reluctantly walked to my vehicle, but I was wholly content. My heart was filled. I kept repeating, “I finally met Silver Charm,” and just like that special moment 21 years ago when he won the 1997 Kentucky Derby, I fell to my knees and cried tears of happiness.