No risk about this genuine lady...

Press, 6 May 1980, Page 38

No risk about this genuine lady...

By MIKE CLARK in Louis-: ville, through NZPA i Genuine Risk, the reluc-i tant debutante, became the belle of the ball on Saturdav, just as predicted by a 13-year-old child from New Orleans. The hoopla that engulfed the beautiful chesnut filly after her stunning win in the 106th Kentucky Derby was only a dream a few hours before as her handlers prepared her for history. Groom Jack Johnson, a businesslike fellow, was braiding the filly’s mane when a pint-sized visitor peeked over the wall. “You know,” said Norman Kearns, a visitor from Louisiana. “I bet $lO on Genuine Risk.” , i Johnson gave the youngster a dubious look, and went back to work. “She’s gonna win,” the youngster intoned, and Johnson’s face broke out in a grin. “You’ve got that right, he said. Johnson leaned out of the stall and looked at the mob surrounding the stall of Rockhill Native, one of the favourites, and then looked at the three people around his filly, then pointed to the crowd around another horse. “Look at all those people.

• Wait and see where they I come after the race.” I The filly actually had J drawn quite a strong following. considering that her owners almost hand’nt enter-! . ed her in the Derby after, she finished third in the| Wood Memorial. Henry Roberts, a Vietnam veteran who is now a security guard, felt the filly’s chances were excellent inspite of the odds, if for no other reason than her security guard. “This is the fifth year in a row I’ve escorted a horse for the Derby,” Roberts said. “Last year, I had Spectacular Bid, and before that I had Alydar, Seattle Slew and Honest Pleasure.” ; For the uninitiated, “Bid” won last year’s Derby and “Slew” was victorious in 1977. Alvdar was second in 1978 and Honest Pleasure was second in 1976. Clearly, Roberts has a way with horses. During his five years of i guarding such luminaries, Roberts has seen mobs congregate around the stables. “But I think this lady is the most popular of them all,” he said.. “She’s real nice, and the people like her.” With her mane sporting a green ribbon and her lu-

, minous coat shining in the (afternoon sun. Genuine Risk.nuzzled her lead pony and j made her way to the ! Churchill Downs paddock. ’All along the way she drew I cheers, most of them from j female backers. i “I love you, baby.”' one woman yelled, as another accompanied her on a tambourine. “Go, baby.” yelled another. “Run for me. honey.” another screamed. And so Genuine Risk ran,. When she put her nose in • front turning for home, an animal roar rose from the infield and the grandstands. With even supposedly unbiased reporters urging her on, she flashed under the wire a length to the good. Pandemonium. Exercise rider Louis Ortis leaped at least five metres into the arms of Johnson. Even John Nazareth, the stoic assistant of trainer Leroy Jolley cracked a smile. And off to the side, sitting astride her lead pony, was Jean Beumer, tears streaming down her face as she watched the little filly she’d escorted canter back to the winners’ circle. “A Derby winner.” she cried. “The Kentucky Derby,”