Horse owned by the late Toby Keith running in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby
The late country music star Toby Keith’s dream was to have a horse in the Kentucky Derby, and on Saturday, it looks like that dream will come true.
Render Judgment, who drew post position number 15, is co-owned by Keith’s Dream Walkin Farms.
“He worked so hard to finally have one there! Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch,” a post shared on Keith’s social media accounts stated.
Keith died in February 2024 after battling stomach cancer. He was 62.
Keith operated Dream Walkin’ Farms for more than 20 years in Oklahoma. His sister, Tonni Covel, oversees the operation now.
Bret Calhoun, who trained the Grade III stakes winner Cactus Ridge for Keith, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune in California last year that Keith loved all aspects of racing.
“He loved the breeding part of it, the racing, and he was a big promoter of horse racing. Just an overall good guy. A patriotic guy,” Calhoun said. “He was one of those guys that everyone wanted to be around, and he kind of kept himself open to the public. He’d go to the races at Oaklawn, go across the street to the local bar and hang out with the people.”
Keith was a celebrity ambassador for the Breeders’ Cup and was in Lexington for the 2022 event when he gave an impromptu performance at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse.
Bred in Kentucky by Green Lantern Stables, Render Judgment is also owned by Baccari Racing Stable., MJM Racing and Rocket Ship Racing.
He is trained by Kenny McPeek.
Render Judgment placed fifth in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland on April 8. His odds were 30-1.
