How ironic. Proud moment.

[gfitzge2]

For years Ram trucks were a sponsor of Churchill Downs in Louisville. Their logo was every where, even on the roofs of the horse barns. For a town with two Ford assembly plants it was painful to see. That has been rectified and now Ford has replaced Ram as a sponsor.

In fact Ford announced the 2024 Ranger during the Derby broadcast.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ford-announces-2024-ford-ranger-210512981.html

Now for the fun and ironic part. My younger brother worked with race horses for many years. It was not just a job, but his passion. From hot walker to barn manager. He worked for D Wane Lucas, and Mike Maker over the years.

Last year he reluctantly took a job at Ford KTP. Unless you are an owner or trainer in the horse industry the pay is low, the work is hard and benefits are non existent. For the pay and benefits Ford was the right move.

He is on B crew which is night shift 4 days a week. That left him some time to go back to the track part time. He said that while Ford feeds his body horses feed his soul.

But all the years he worked for famous trainers and worked with some derby horses none won the Kentucky Derby. So his new horse job was with a not so famous trainer of a not so famous horse named Mage.

Mage wins the Kentucky Derby!!!!

In the TV screen grab below Brian is pictured right beside the horse. White hat and light colored suit coat. I am so proud of him.

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[AzScorpion]

That's awesome that your brother got this opportunity to do something he loves. Even better that he got to experience working with Mage and being down there with the winners. Life is about making memories and having experiences and I'm sure this will rank right up there for him and all your family to enjoy!! ?

 

[Tracy Bowman]

For years Ram trucks were a sponsor of Churchill Downs in Louisville. Their logo was every where, even on the roofs of the horse barns. For a town with two Ford assembly plants it was painful to see. That has been rectified and now Ford has replaced Ram as a sponsor.

In fact Ford announced the 2024 Ranger during the Derby broadcast.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ford-announces-2024-ford-ranger-210512981.html

Now for the fun and ironic part. My younger brother worked with race horses for many years. It was not just a job, but his passion. From hot walker to barn manager. He worked for D Wane Lucas, and Mike Maker over the years.

Last year he reluctantly took a job at Ford KTP. Unless you are an owner or trainer in the horse industry the pay is low, the work is hard and benefits are non existent. For the pay and benefits Ford was the right move.

He is on B crew which is night shift 4 days a week. That left him some time to go back to the track part time. He said that while Ford feeds his body horses feed his soul.

But all the years he worked for famous trainers and worked with some derby horses none won the Kentucky Derby. So his new horse job was with a not so famous trainer of a not so famous horse named Mage.

Mage wins the Kentucky Derby!!!!

In the TV screen grab below Brian is pictured right beside the horse. White hat and light colored suit coat. I am so proud of him.

Wow! So cool!

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Wow - how exciting for your brother and for you and others in your family - we don’t always get to live our dreams but it seems he’s living his. ?

 

[gfitzge2]

Wow - how exciting for your brother and for you and others in your family - we don’t always get to live our dreams but it seems he’s living his. ?

That he is. He has also shared his passion with us over the years. Derby day entrance to the barn area (the back side) is not easy to get , but we had access many times. I have sat in the dirt under the rail in turn one taking pictures during several derbies. I would not trade that seat for one on millionaires row. And as @AzScorpion pointed out, the memories and experiences are so important. There was that epic Mint Julip run one year. Oops I better not go any further. Not suer if the statute of limitations has run out.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

That is awesome, good for him and congrats!!!

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Gregg,

Congrats on Brother being part of the Derby winner's inner circle!

In honor of your brother, here is a short video...

Best,
Phil

 

[Joeiconic]

Wow, it’s amazing someone can see that in a tangerine. I just see food.

 

[Tracy Bowman]

Hi Gregg,

Congrats on Brother being part of the Derby winner's inner circle!

In honor of your brother, here is a short video...

Best,
Phil

That’s amazing!

 

[rang19ca]

Congratulations to you and your brother. Thanks for posting.

 

[Radioman]

For years Ram trucks were a sponsor of Churchill Downs in Louisville. Their logo was every where, even on the roofs of the horse barns. For a town with two Ford assembly plants it was painful to see. That has been rectified and now Ford has replaced Ram as a sponsor.

In fact Ford announced the 2024 Ranger during the Derby broadcast.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ford-announces-2024-ford-ranger-210512981.html

Now for the fun and ironic part. My younger brother worked with race horses for many years. It was not just a job, but his passion. From hot walker to barn manager. He worked for D Wane Lucas, and Mike Maker over the years.

Last year he reluctantly took a job at Ford KTP. Unless you are an owner or trainer in the horse industry the pay is low, the work is hard and benefits are non existent. For the pay and benefits Ford was the right move.

He is on B crew which is night shift 4 days a week. That left him some time to go back to the track part time. He said that while Ford feeds his body horses feed his soul.

But all the years he worked for famous trainers and worked with some derby horses none won the Kentucky Derby. So his new horse job was with a not so famous trainer of a not so famous horse named Mage.

Mage wins the Kentucky Derby!!!!

In the TV screen grab below Brian is pictured right beside the horse. White hat and light colored suit coat. I am so proud of him.

Nice story Gregg.

 

[puckdodger]

That's awesome. I'm so glad he gets to live out his dream job, because steady afternoon shift assembly line work is a nightmare for sure.

 

[moorejl57]

That's an awesome experience for your brother! In 1978 I worked at the vet microbiology lab at UC Davis. Every now and again we would get a race horse in for evaluation and I actually got to walk one around the campus fields. My job that day was to keep the horse from eating any grass to prevent it from ingesting parasites. What a beautiful animal!

 

[Jhbryaniv]

That's awesome that your brother got this opportunity to do something he loves. Even better that he got to experience working with Mage and being down there with the winners. Life is about making memories and having experiences and I'm sure this will rank right up there for him and all your family to enjoy!! ?

There are 2 things that can never be taken from you by anyone else... Your knowledge and your experiences.

They are both so precious.

 

[AzScorpion]

There are 2 things that can never be taken from you by anyone else... Your knowledge and your experiences.

They are both so precious.

You forgot the most important thing....Your Damper! ?

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