This horse is proving anyone with a dream can make it to the Derby stage.
With 50-1 odds, his horse, a three-year-old colt named West Saratoga, is a long shot.
But thats a familiar concept to 74-year-old Demeritte.
Credit:Rob Carr/Getty Images
Demeritte was reportedly first diagnosed with cancer in 1996.
He beat it, only for it to return in 2018.
Hes been enduring monthly chemotherapy treatments ever since.
Assistant trainer Donte Lowery walks West Saratoga on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.Credit:Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Hes been through some stuff, definitely, Harry Veruchi, West Saratogas owner, toldThe Athletic.
This horse, it gives him a reason to go to work.
Demerittes horse is an underdog too.
He was raised by his grandmother alongside 13 of his cousins in Nassau.
For decades he happily worked on the fringes of the sport with modest success through the years.
Then came West Saratoga.
I told the boys in the barn, this is our big horse, Demeritte recalled toSports Illustrated.
This is the first horse Ive trained in a long time that has gears.
You have to manage him right.
When the right day comes with the big boys, hell be ready for them.
Demeritte hopes that that right day is tomorrows Kentucky Derby.
This is truly amazing how we got to this position with this horse, he toldThe Associated Press.
