"Generally, when he says something like that, you have to take it seriously because he knows what's going on," says trainer Todd Pletcher, who's putting up two horses against Big Brown today.
Dutrow's smile hasn't faded for a second this week. Still, with all the spectacle and celebration, he acknowledges that "right now is the perfect opportunity for me to do something stupid. But I don't think that I will."
He has changed over the years, done a lot of growing. He still talks big and lives fast. He was torn this week about putting money on Big Brown. He wants to drop $100,000.
"My mom is all over me not to bet, and Molly keeps saying, `Don't do it,'" he said. "Maybe betting on this race would be too much. It is such a great race and winning it would be enough.
"You know money doesn't mean anything to me. It's really all about the horse, and if I did bet and win, I'd just turn around the next day and blow it all on another bet. So maybe I won't."
He paused briefly, the wheels turning as quick as his mouth. "Well, I'm not saying I won't, because I know I could turn around and pick up the phone and say, `I need to make this bet.'"
Dickie Dutrow died two years after returning to Maryland, in 1999, from pancreatic cancer. He was 61. Rick Dutrow speaks fondly of his father, of the man who showed him the ropes. But there is a tinge of regret. The two never patched up their differences.
Eager for change
Leatherbury, Dickie's friend and rival, ran into the old trainer's son a couple of years ago at Mountaineer Racetrack in West Virginia. Leatherbury told Dutrow, "You know what, Ricky, your father sure would be proud of you."
Dutrow seems to realize that, too. He knows his dad would appreciate the horseman that he has become, the man he has grown into.
"It's all good, babe," Dutrow keeps saying.
And it all culminates - this long twisting, bouncing ride - over a 1 1/4 -mile oval of dirt today at Churchill Downs. It's only two minutes, but Dutrow has been dreaming about it his entire life.
"I'm looking forward, very much, to making the walk with the horse from the backstretch to the paddock," Dutrow says. "I was talking to [Hall of Fame trainer] Wayne Lukas this morning, and he said when you make that walk your entire life changes, and I believe him.
"I can't wait for the change to happen."
rick.maese@baltsun.com sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
THE DUTROW FILE
Full name: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Born: Aug. 5, 1959, in Hagerstown
Resides: Long Beach, N.Y.
Family: Daughter, Molly
Biggest wins: 2005 Breeders' Cup Classics (with Saint Liam), 2005 Breeders' Cup Spring (with Silver Train) and 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile (with Kip Deville)
Other top runners: Carson Hollow, Sus City, Cyber Secret, Willy o' the Valley, Thunder Blitz, Classic Endeavor
Honors: Saint Liam was named Horse of the Year in 2005 and Eclipse Award winner
