One of the best stories of the Kentucky Derby in 2024 surrounded Larry Demeritte and his small yard looking to upset the odds at the 150th running of the Triple Crown race.
Demeritte made history in the process, but it wasn’t to be a fairy-tale ending for the trainer. But, such was his popularity, it has already led to many questioning whether he will have a runner in the race this year.
Will Demeritte Have A Runner in 2025?
At this stage, it looks unlikely that the inspiring Demeritte will have a runner in the Kentucky Derby setting sites in 2025. However, there are still a number of opportunities for the trainer to get a horse in the final field.
Mendello could be his most likely chance of a Derby runner at this stage, as the three-year-old returned to action with a decent third in a claiming race at Turfway Park in early January.
However, his most likely starter at Churchill Downs this year could come in the Oaks, as Grace On Grace looks like a potential outsider which could pick up important prep points in the filly races.
The three-year-old is his highest earner in 2025, and was a fine winner of the Gowell Stakes on New Year’s Day when reaching a career-best rating, But, it could also be noted that Demeritte may still have a leading three-year-old that is yet to make a racecourse start.
How Did Demeritte Catch The Attention?
Demeritte made global headlines ahead of the 150th edition of the Derby last year, as he saddled West Saratoga. In the process, he became the first black trainer to be represented in the Derby for over 35 years.
Meanwhile, he was the first trainer from the Caribbean to achieve that feat. Black trainers in the Derby have been a rarity throughout history, with nobody of the skin color being represented before 1989.
However, black representation in the Derby has always had significant interest, with the 1875 winner being trained by Ansel Williamson and rode by Oliver Lewis; both of whom were black. It was also noted by Ronald Mack that 15 of the first 28 Kentucky Derby winners were black jockeys.
But, Demeritte hoped that his involvement in the sport last year could re-engage the black community within the sport after they were largely cast aside through Jim Crow Segregation.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Demeritte admitted that his big goal when entering the Derby was to inspire the next wave of talent to follow in his footsteps. His story made international headlines mainly due to the NBC Sports film shown on Derby day, titled ‘The Impossible Dream’.
The television feature picked up an award at the Media Eclipse Awards last year and gave a fascinating look into Demeritte’s upbringing and his love for the spot. It showed Demeritte’s struggles with living with Multiple Myeloma Blood Cancer after being diagnosed with the condition seven years ago.
That was his third bout with the disease since 1996, but Demeritte’s passion and loving persona at the age of 74 shone through the screens, connecting with every viewer that watched the feature. Demeritte also goes into detail about how he got involved in the sport, and how he would watch the Derby every year with the dream of one day saddling a runner.
While West Saratoga wasn’t a winner at the Derby, Demeritte sure felt like one, as he had achieved a dream that many would have foreseen as impossible, as he overcame the odds with his passion and perseverance to finally get the Derby runner that he always believed that he would get.
Demeritte’s Racing Career
Demeritte is only a small trainer based in Kentucky, but his dream of running a stable after leaving the Bahamas in the 1970s was something that he always aspired to achieve. To this point, Demeritte has recorded 2,119 starters and has registered 184 winners and 249 seconds to take his career earnings over $5 million.
West Saratoga is undeniably his most successful horse, having won earnings of nearly $500,000. His signature win, which also secured his spot in the Derby, was achieved in the G3 Iroquis Stakes in 2023. He would later finish third in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and second in the G3 Jeff Ruby, before taking 12th in the G1 Kentucky Derby.
Demeritte’s only other stakes winner is Memorial Maniac, who recorded five wins from 41 starts on the track before leaving for the Brianne Slater yard. His standout win would come in the G3 Stars and Stripes Turf Stakes at Arlington, before finishing placed in Grade Three company in Canada.
The much-loved operation continues to compete against the larger yards in 2025, as he has sent out seven runners so far this year and recorded one win and a third place finish.
