LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The state of Iowa will be represented at the Kentucky Derby once again by Albaugh Family Stables.
Catching Freedom, winner of the Louisiana Derby, is their horse in the race of 20 thoroughbreds. Catching Freedom is one of the top-five favorites this year.
"His horse has got an unbelievable presence about him," said co-owner Dennis Albaugh. "His head's high during the races. And what I really liked about him, he's a closer, he likes to run from the three eighths pole, and that's what you need. You need one that can go the distance. And he's bred to go the distance."
Catching Freedom was purchased for $575,000 and trained by 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Brad Cox. Now, the horse is in the hands of jockey Flavien Prat, who is the points leader this year.
"We've covered the two things that we can cover. The rest is up the horse. Naturally, when he's in that field with 20 other horses, you need some luck," Albaugh said.
This is the family's seventh trip to the Kentucky Derby. With over 20,000 thoroughbreds born each year, being one of 20 to qualify is no easy feat, but the family is looking for their first win.
"You have to have goals in life. And (our) goal is to win this thing," co-owner Jason Loutsch said. "It's not easy. It's very, very hard to win the Kentucky Derby there's only been 149 owners win the Kentucky Derby. This is a legendary year the 150th It'd be the perfect year to win it."
The Kentucky Derby begins on Saturday, May 4.