Westporter Robert LaPenta had high hopes for his horse Dialed In in the 137th Kentucky Derby today, hopes that were dashed by Animal Kingdom, Nehro, Mucho Macho Man and four others before Dialed In came in eighth.
Robert LaPenta: fifth Derby entry since 2001. kentuckyderby.com photo
Dialed In was LaPenta’s fifth Derby entry since he began raising horses in 2001.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, the horse had been a favorite of handicappers, enough of a favorite for LaPenta to bring 35 family members and friends from Westport to Churchill Downs which was bathed in sunlight and cool breezes.
“No question, this is the best horse we’ve brought,” LaPenta told the Hartford Courant. Dialed In bested 11 other entries in the 19 horse lineup.
LaPenta, 65, is chairman, president and CEO of L-1 Identity Solutions, a Stamford-based personal security provider. According to reports, he grew up near Yonkers Raceway and got his love for horse racing from his mother.
“Everybody sets certain goals in life,” LaPenta who lives on Heron Lake Lane, told the Courant Friday. “With good fortune and hard work, I’ve been able to check off most of the boxes I wanted to in my life.”
“But this one, the Derby, always has been on the top of my list from when I was young. Last year, we were elated for about 30 seconds and then we all sat down. It was hard to breathe. We came so close.”
