Derby ties

Last year, nearly half the field in the Kentucky Derby had ties to Texas, including the winner, Street Sense, who, of course, was trained by Carl Nafzger. Born in Plainview, Nafzger has a ranch in Olton that he calls home.

And this year’s Derby will be only slighly less connected to Texas. Seven horses entered in Saturday’s 134th Derby have Texas ties, and that may overlook some of the minority partners in a few horses.

Adriano is owned by Don Adam of Bryan.

WinStar Farm has Colonel John in the Derby. Although located in Kentucky, WinStar is onwed by Bill Casner of Flower Mound and Kenny Troutt of Dallas. WinStar is also a partner in Court Vision.

Janice and Robert McNair of Houston own Cowboy Cal, who’s trained by Todd Pletcher, who was born in Dallas and grew up in San Antonio. Pletcher, of course, also has Monba in the Derby.

And then, of course, there’s Steve Asmussen, the all-time leading trainer at Lone Star Park and a resident of Arlington. He’ll send out Pyro and Z Fortune in the Derby.

Another six horses have tenuous and hypothetical ties to Texas. They should be running instead in the Lone Star Derby.