It’s an event with deep roots in agrarian times and a celebration that incorporates all of Kentucky’s grand traditions, yet some of the Kentucky Derby’s greatest days have come during the past 14 years, as instant communication, the Internet and social media have changed our lives.
With the breathtaking scope of 140 years of Derby history in mind, here’s a simple question as we head toward Kentucky Derby 141 on May 2, 2015: could there be a name more appropriate for a Derby winner in this era than Hashtag Bourbon?
His name is catchy and cute, but you would be wise to keep it in mind, because the first two races in the career of the colt owned by the Bourbon Lane Stable partnership have been promising enough to indicate that the colt’s name could be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If his worksheet continues to show progress, Hashtag Bourbon has a chance to become a social media sensation in the weeks prior to next year’s Run for the Roses.
The colt is a member of the first crop of runners by Super Saver, the winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby. Hashtag Bourbon became his first stakes winner last weekend when the colt scored an emphatic victory in the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile at West Virginia’s Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort.
He rallied from sixth in the field of seven and used a quick burst of speed in the stretch to overhaul favored Gotta Get Paid on his way to a 4 ½-length romp. He covered six furlongs in 1:11.45 from jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and trainer Kellyn Gorder.
Hashtag Bourbon rallied from more than 19 lengths back to finish third in his debut on June 28 at Churchill Downs. It was a strong performance in a race that looks better and strong with each passing day.
Written by: John Asher of The Voice-Tribune