Omaha Beach Life-Changing Friend for Rider Cambra

The 145th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) is for the history books—a race remembered for the agonizing minutes of deliberation by Churchill Downs stewards who handed down one of the most historic decisions in Thoroughbred racing history. 

But for the members of trainer Richard Mandella's team, and the connections of Omaha Beach , the Kentucky Derby was simply the race that got away. 

Omaha Beach was scratched three days before the Derby because of complications from an entrapped epiglottis, a blow to the entire Mandella team and especially the colt's exercise rider, Taylor Cambra. 

"It was definitely heartbreaking for all of us, but we all lived and learned from it," Cambra said. "The highs of this game are addicting. The lows make you question why you still do it. But I'm still very grateful for the opportunity I got to go there. I'm very grateful that the boss was willing to take me along for the ride, even though everything didn't work out like we had planned." 

After Omaha Beach underwent surgery, many wondered whether he would be able to make a return to the top-level form that rocketed him to stardom at 3. But the months spent apart during his recuperation did little to alter the relationship between Cambra and Omaha Beach. When the colt was shipped back to California from Kentucky, the pair quickly picked up where they left off.

Omaha Beach was sent back to training in preparation for a start in the 36th Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park, and Cambra and his colleagues held their breath as their wily protégé stole the show in the Oct. 5 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G1) and officially stamped his ticket to the World Championships.

Working together day in and day out, it's clear the two share an innate synchronicity that is hard to describe. From the quiet hours during early morning training to the thrill of the winner's circle on race day, Omaha Beach and Cambra are rarely out of each other's sight. The former professional cowboy and California native cut his teeth on the rodeo circuit riding broncos before arriving at the Mandella barn. But when he found himself on the back of the dark bay son of War Front  at the start of the 2019 season, everything suddenly fell into place. 

"He's a horse that changed my life, so he's definitely special to me," Cambra said. "He's just such a cool dude, and he has the best personality. It's great to see him still improving. He gets better and better, so you definitely take pride in watching him improve every time he gets to the track. He is better than ever right now, in my opinion." 

Although his win in the Santa Anita Sprint awarded Omaha Beach a start in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), Mandella and the connections debated a start in the 1 1/4-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Cambra said Mandella's decision to send the 3-year-old to the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) will give him the best chance for success. Owned by Fox Hill Farms, the colt will make a bid for his third grade 1 score when he takes on nine others Nov. 2.

"Being young and dumb, of course, the Classic, I was like, 'Let's go!' But the boss knows what he's doing with these horses, and this might not be the main goal for him," Cambra said. "Coming out of a sprint, I think it could be hard to send him out for a mile-and-a-quarter race, especially with all those tough horses. If he can use this race to get around two turns and head for the Pegasus (World Cup Invitational Stakes, G1), that would be nice. Hopefully, this time we will get a little racing luck and win us a race." 

While Omaha Beach is certainly not the only horse Cambra exercises for Mandella, the memories of a late Derby scratch and subsequent responsibility to keep his mount safe and happy ahead of the Breeders' Cup has weighed heavy on Cambra's shoulders in recent weeks. 

"I do my best to take care of all the horses the best I can, but there is definitely a little more pressure when there (are millions of dollars) invested in the horse," Cambra said. "I think he's been training really good, so I think everything is just the way we want it leading up to the race. We will just keep him happy and in bubble wrap until race day. I try to keep my head down and keep working so I don't think about it too much." 

With Omaha Beach already announced as one of five new stallions slated to join the Spendthrift Farm roster in 2020, Cambra knows his time with the colt is more than likely drawing to a close. While the prospect of parting with his grade 1-winning comrade is an idea Cambra prefers not to think about, the 22-year-old will have plenty to occupy his time as he prepares to work toward his assistant trainer's license. 

"As far as my future goes, I want to be an assistant here for a few years," Cambra said. "I'm definitely learning a lot right now. I want to take on more responsibilities and work up to getting my assistant trainer's license. I would like to work here for a couple years, then move out on my own. That would be the main goal.

"I'm hoping I can keep my weight down for one more year. The boss is always keeping me on track, making sure I don't get too carried away, but if it gets to be too much, I'm going to have to give it up. It's always about what's best for the horses. But I would still be out there. I'll get a nice pony. Being a pony boy and assistant trainer is all right by me." 

With only hours to go before Omaha Beach will test his luck against the best Thoroughbreds in the world, Cambra knows it's just another race. 

"I'm born and raised in this game, and it's something deeply rooted in me. Waking up every morning getting to see these horses—there is nothing else like it."