BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
"This is like going back to heaven," Rick Pitino said.
(Craig Ruttle photo)
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LOUISVILLE -- He was a transplanted New Yorker, but in eight years he learned to call the commonwealth his home. When Rick Pitino left a year ago this week, his eyes misted as he promised, "Kentucky will always be in my heart."
Today, the Bluegrass State welcomes back its adopted son in the highest-profile homecoming conceivable.
Having stirred the state's greatest passion two years ago, coaching the University of Kentucky to a national basketball championship, Pitino takes aim today at Kentucky's other crown jewel: the Derby.
"This is like going back to heaven," Pitino said.
His Halory Hunter, a hard-charging underdog not unlike the players he loves to coach, is the 7-2 second choice in the morning line. Sentimental betting could well send him off as the Derby favorite. Well before his Boston Celtics get a shot at an NBA title, Pitino could net an attractive trophy -- and $700,000 -- from a pursuit that remains a hobby.
"I'd like to win an NBA championship (No.) 1, but I'd rank winning a Kentucky Derby right after it," Pitino said.
"I didn't expect to have a horse here. It's the greatest thing imaginable. I didn't even have the nerve to dream it."
Pitino became a Derby fixture in his eight-year UK tenure, fulfilling an unspoken obligation to glad-hand at Kentucky's showcase event. When his UK successor, Tubby Smith, arrives in that role today, the question of which draws bigger cheers from the crowd could became the day's biggest subplot.
Pitino's previous appearances weren't a matter of feigning interest. He has been a racing fan for decades.
His recent ventures into ownership and frequent testimonials for the sport have afforded it priceless publicity.
"He's got a lot of exuberance for the sport," said Nick Zito, Halory Hunter's trainer. "I think he could be the ambassador for racing."
Said Pitino: "A morning on the backside, a round of golf, lunch at the track and a great dinner -- that's the best day possible. . . . I think horse people like the fact that sports people and celebrities get involved. The more publicity horse racing gets, the more people find out what a great sport it really is."
As youngsters in Long Island, Pitino and wife Joanne used to frequent the local harness track, and Pitino became a sharp harness handicapper. He first went to Saratoga Race Course at age 24, when he was an assistant at Syracuse, and he spends time there every summer. Pitino's ownership interests began during his UK tenure, when he bought into some horses with Seth Hancock, whose family owns Claiborne Farm.
Last year, Pitino formed Celtic Pride Stable with his business manager, Rick Avare, and his stockbroker, Tom Healy. Celtic Pride owns two-thirds of Halory Hunter, with Abrahim Moubarak owning the other third.
Pitino has six horses in Celtic Pride, all entrusted to Zito, and co-owns three others with Hancock. He says his target total is 15 horses.
Despite his control-freak reputation in the gym, Pitino is careful not to tread on Zito's toes.
"He's very interested in what's going on, but without being demanding," Zito said. "This is like anything else: If your boss keeps bugging you, it's gonna be tough to do your job. He understands that and trusts us."
Said Avare: "Rick is more relaxed having the horses in Nick's hands. He's able to sit back and enjoy it."
Most of the time, that is. Friends confirm that when Halory Hunter entered the gate before his Blue Grass Stakes victory three weeks ago, Pitino -- watching on simulcast -- was a nervous wreck.
The nerves, apparently, are worth it. Pitino had been offered $2.8 million for the horse on Nov. 1, just seven months after buying him for $130,000, but Hancock advised him to listen to his heart. Said Pitino: "Seth said, "Well, coach, 16 years ago you coached Boston University. If you were coach of BU and you owned Halory and you were offered 2.8, I'd sell. If you're coach of the Boston Celtics, I'd enjoy the ride.' "
The Derby chase has invigorated Pitino, but success hasn't spoiled his judgment.
"That's the great thing about horse racing: Anyone can win," he said. "You don't have to own 100 horses to get here. You can be a small player like myself and catch a little luck.
"I'm not deserving of this horse. But I plan to enjoy him." Pooling the predictions of 14 racing experts, Halory Hunter is the popular choice to win today.
But Pitino doesn't demand victory. Only fun.
"If we run well in this race, that means we're going to go one to the Preakness and the Belmont, and the entertainment and the excitement continues," he said. "That's all I want. I just want fun times for my family and friends, and if that happens to me, I'm way ahead of the game."
• Surprises rule of day
• Sullivan column
• Notebook
• Lacombe diary
• The field
• Neck decides Oaks
• Associated Press coverage
