Casner Relives the 'Impossible' With Super Saver

Lifelong horseman Bill Casner describes the Kentucky Derby (G1) as "one of those mythical races" that everyone dreams of winning but never truly believes is possible.

"In all other races, I always thought we had a heck of a shot to win," said Casner, who is a former co-owner of WinStar Farm. "The Derby, though, occupies that space in the stratosphere that makes it seem unattainable."

In 2010, WinStar had its 14th Kentucky Derby starter with homebred Super Saver . The farm's best finish until then was in 2006 with its first Derby contender, Bluegrass Cat, who finished second to Barbaro.

Casner recalled of Super Saver's Derby victory: "It was one of those surreal days that is indelible. I can relive so many parts of it. The whole week prior to the Derby, you absorb and enjoy. As the week progresses, the excitement grows and the crowds grow on the backside. It is a heightened experience when you have a horse in the race. Don't get me wrong, we knew we had a shot; hope is there. Then there is the reality that this is the toughest race in North America to win.

"You can have the best horse on the planet and not win the Derby, and that was the case that particular day. Lookin At Lucky  was the best horse and was named champion 3-year-old, but he was totally unlucky that day.

REPLAY: Super Saver Wins Kentucky Derby 136

"We had Calvin Borel and post 4, which was the perfect post for Super Saver. Straight out of the gate, Lookin At Lucky was pushed into the rail and never had a shot. You have to have the perfect trip, and Calvin Borel put (Super Saver) on the fence and never (came) off. When he hit the eighth pole, his silks were clean. Calvin won three Derbys giving them all the exact same ride. He hit the head of the lane, and we were in front; it was just unbelievable. I thought, 'Oh my God, are we going to win the Kentucky Derby?' It was like I was watching it in slow motion—totally surreal.

"The great thing about that day is who we brought to the Derby that year. I could not have handpicked, in retrospect, a group of people I would have more rather shared that day with than who was there. It was a day that is so rare when you stand on the mountaintop and you do it with your friends.

"One experience burned in my memory was after the race. At the after-party, Penny Chenery was standing off to the side waiting to talk with me. Penny and I had gotten to be great friends over the years. She said to me: 'Well, you're one of the club now. There is nothing like it, is there?' That moment was the highlight of the whole day."

Subscribe to BloodHorse Daily to view expanded photos of Super Saver's victory in the April 24 edition!