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Mike Repole’s phone was flooded with text messages when his horse and Kentucky Derby favorite Forte was scratched just hours before the big race last year. A collection of friends, family and others reached out to give their condolences to the sports drink entrepreneur.
“It kind of made me feel uncomfortable, maybe even embarrassed,” he said. “I’ve won so many times in my life. I’ve had people lose kids and family members. … Listen, it was a disappointment, but there’s a lot more important things in the bigger scheme of life than scratching the Derby favorite. I bounced back quick, and I’m more driven than ever.”
Repole, who is 0-9 at Churchill Downs, is looking to finally get his first win in the 150th version of the Derby. The BodyArmor co-founder has another opportunity to end his losing streak as he enters the race with 5-2 favorite Fierceness. The 3-year-old colt is led by Hall of Fame horse trainer Todd Pletcher and raced by three-time winner John Velazquez.
“This is our best shot,” Repole said. “Todd has won this race twice, and Johnny has won it three times. … If I can just be the third wheel and get one, I’ll be pretty happy and so will they.”
Fierceness, which recently won the Florida Derby by more than 13 lengths, looks to make Derby history as the first to win in 45 attempts from the No. 17 post position. The homebred son of City Light has Repole Stables believing the third time’s the charm. Before Forte scratched last year, another Repole Derby favorite, Uncle Mo, scratched in 2011.
The entrepreneurial racehorse owner, who sold BodyArmor to Coca-Cola for $5.6 billion in 2021, has been in the thoroughbred racing business for years and achieved plenty of success, including victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Belmont Stakes. Repole Stables has also earned more than $60 million in earnings. But the Run for the Roses has eluded Repole, who feels the adversity has made him a stronger businessman.
“This is a game where there’s a lot more lows than there are highs,” he said. “If you win 20%, that’s a Hall of Fame incredible career, which means 80% you’re losing. If you can prepare yourself and get into a sport where 1 out of 5 is great, it really sets you up for a lot of other things in life.”
Seeking to change their Derby luck, Repole and his entourage of more than 30 have operated a bit differently this year. Instead of staying in and around his Louisville Marriott hotel room for most of the week leading up to the event, the Queens, New York, native has bowed to superstition and set up camp in Lexington, nearly 80 miles away.
“It’s been good for the mind,” Repole said.
Repole, who recently teamed up with Derby regular and NoBull investor Tom Brady, enters this year surrounded by friends and family again, but with a greater sense of gratitude as he balances his burning pursuit of winning a Derby with a dose of perspective.
“Let’s be clear: I want to win this Kentucky Derby, and it’s going to be great if I do,” he added. “If I don’t win, I’m going to be disappointed, but it’s going to be great if I don’t. If it’s not this year, then I’m really going to try next year. I’m definitely going to die trying.”