Larry Demeritte, who captured the hearts of the public when he saddled his first Kentucky Derby starter, West Saratoga, last year, has died at age 75. Demeritte had lived with various health issues, including a 1996 bone cancer diagnosis, for many years.
Demeritte’s passing was first reported by Our News Bahamas, which recognized him as the first Bahamian to saddle a horse in the Kentucky Derby. Demeritte continued to hold his birthplace close. He wore a tie in the colors of the Bahamian flag for major races, including on Kentucky Derby Day.
Demeritte followed in the footsteps of his father to become a Thoroughbred trainer in the Bahamas, then moved to the United States in 1976 to begin his pursuit of the Kentucky Derby, which he had watched as a youth.
“I love it,” Demeritte told Daily Racing Form last year. “I love the Derby. That’s why I left the Bahamas. I always said, you can’t win the Derby unless you’re in Kentucky.”
West Saratoga was the trainer’s second graded stakes winner, joining Memorial Maniac, winner of the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes Turf in 2010 at Arlington Park. West Saratoga captured the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes in September 2023 at Churchill Downs, which was the first points race toward the 2024 Derby. The colt immediately attracted publicity as an underdog, as Demeritte had selected him for just $11,000 for owner Harry Veruchi as a yearling.
“My motto is, ‘I don't buy cheap horses. I buy good horses cheap,’” Demeritte was oft-quoted.
West Saratoga continued on early the following year to finish second in the Pasco Stakes, third in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, and second in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby to secure his spot in the 150th Kentucky Derby. He finished 12th in the Run for the Roses as Demeritte also became the first Black trainer to participate in the race since Hank Allen in 1989.
Demeritte continued to train until his final weeks of life. He had one win from 26 starts this year, with Grace On Grace winning the Gowell Stakes on New Year’s Day at Turfway Park. He returned to Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week this year, saddling Maximus Prime to finish second in the Kentucky Juvenile on May 1.
Information on services is pending.
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