The C.L. Brown Show: Trainer Larry Demeritte beats cancer and odds to reach Kentucky Derby
This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features the "People's Champ" of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Larry Demeritte. A native of the Bahamas, Demeritte began training horses in 1981, but it's taken until now, with West Saratoga, for him to earn a Derby entrant.
Demeritte discusses how he beats the odds by not focusing on them. He is the first Black trainer to field a horse in the Derby since Hank Allen saddled Northern Wolf in 1989. Demeritte also is battling cancer for a third time since 1996. He explains how focusing on West Saratoga powers him through the days when his chemotherapy treatments have him feeling fatigued. And he shares what it would mean to be victorious in the 150th Run for the Roses.
(If you haven't read Jason Frakes' profile of Demeritte, check it out here.)
A new episode of this podcast, hosted by Courier Journal sports columnist C.L. Brown, posts each Wednesday. You can listen to The C.L. Brown Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcast, Audible, CastBox and iHeartRadio, among others.
More from C.L. Brown
Churchill Downs won its case, but Bob Baffert suspension is punishing horse racing
Louisville trainers, with 5 horses in Kentucky Derby 150 field, out to make history
A Kentucky Derby, Oaks sweep? Trainer Kenny McPeek might have horses to get it done
New FX, New York Times documentary sheds light on drug use in horse racing
Pat Kelsey, Mark Pope forever linked by timing of basketball hires in commonwealth
Jeff Brohm has pieces in place for Louisville football to air it out, but depth key
Horse racing's future may come down to court rulings over HISA's constitutionality
Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Horse trainer Larry Demeritte beats odds to reach Kentucky Derby 2024