I can nonetheless try to remember the incredibly 1st time I received the opportunity to fulfill Mark Deno, as if it have been now rather than a rapidly-approaching 5 yrs ago. It was a chilly, blustery, rainy day of Oct. 31, 2019, and we were being to satisfy somewhere near the paddock at one of my favorite cling-outs — Churchill Downs.
My spouse, the attractive Leigh Ann, and I were finding ready to go view our minor filly, Miss Jacqueline, make her profession debut at the famed racetrack and underneath those majestic Twin Spires.
And, as a lot of periods right before, I well prepared with wonderful aspirations and excitement. This, certainly, was going to be our day. This, without doubt, was going to be a celebration. This, with no query, was going to be our Mardi Gras.
Leigh, on the other hand, acquired ready to have a excellent day of people today observing dressing to the hilt tossing again a few flutes of bubbly and, in the end, consoling me right after a different disappointing performance of a single of my “babies.”
We experienced done this just before. So, so many moments.
She understood the program. I realized no much better.
As we drove to the observe, Leigh appeared at me and requested a question that even now tends to make me chuckle out loud. “Who, once more, are we assembly at the observe now,” she posed, as she fiddled with her new hat in the rear check out mirror, leaving me to travel like a blind maniac.
I uttered. “Perfectly, I have the suite upstairs and Greg and Ronda (are very long-time and trustworthy close friends who are normally up for a good time) are going to be there, for certain.”
Then she corrected me, as she generally does, demanding and requesting much more intel, all at the exact time. “Yeah. Yeah. I know about Greg and Ronda. I like Greg and Ronda. But, you mentioned that some other persons might be coming, much too.”
I stuttered, being aware of that my social gathering-planner of a wife, was not likely to go for this just one little bit, prior to I braved an remedy. “Yeah. A couple of folks from Indy are coming down, and I told them to satisfy me close to the paddock.”
She forged a gaze that penetrated both the facet of my helmet head. “Who are they and how do you know them?”
Stumble. “Oh, they are friends of Brad Rateike (one more fantastic close friend of ours, who Leigh did know).”
I hoped that would suffice. It did not.
“And, how did you meet them?” she posed.
Stumble, all over again. “Perfectly, I have actually under no circumstances met them, in person,” I proposed. “I have chatted with them on Twitter. They adore the horses and had wished to …”
I didn’t make it to the conclude of my rationalization. I now had Leigh’s comprehensive notice.
“You have in no way achieved them? You have talked to them on TWITTER? And, you are heading to meet them in the paddock for the first time? And, you have invited them up to the suite to have lunch with us? Are you kidding me. TWITTER?
“Oh, my God. This is going to be a Dateline episode. I can see it. My daily life’s tale is likely to be on Dateline. This is how I’m heading to go out? TWITTER?”
I nodded. I couldn’t argue with her position, though I attempted — weakly, I may possibly incorporate — to protect my placement and my very generous give to a group of finish strangers, who very effectively could conclude up remaining serial killers, far too.
We drove the rest of the way to the observe in silence. Leigh contemplated contacting an Uber and heading to her “safe and sound location.” I swiftly began to think about our impending introduction, again.
When we achieved the track, Leigh all over again available a counter proposal. “Why don’t we just meet them at the paddock and wish them effectively. We can go upstairs with Greg and Ronda.
“Alone.”
Recognizing that I was on sinking sand, I just nodded, and we marched together to the designated assembly position. For a few times, Leigh and I stood outside the previous Churchill Downs’ paddock. A swirl of wind x-rayed my upper body. But it was heat when compared to the stare I was acquiring from my lovely bride.
Then, what seemed like an hour later, I read a voice. “Gene. Gene, is that you,” it came out of nowhere, with a right hand ready to shake mine.
It was Tim Moman, accompanied by his attractive spouse Carla. By their facet was Mark Deno, and his wonderful bride Jaime.
We built introductions. We surveyed just about every other, devoid of making an attempt to be too noticeable. And, I out of the blue made the decision, for all of us, that these men and women didn’t look like serial killers and I immediately invited them to sign up for us in the Finish Line Suites for a chunk of lunch and some hotter temps. Following all, they have been in their 50s, or so it appeared. There had been not menacing, or so it appeared. And, they experienced their wives with them, and they appeared sweet. Or so it seemed.
As destiny would have it, they approved eagerly. Leigh acknowledged quickly, as she drove her fingernails into my awaiting hand.
I could listen to her say, under her breath: “If these persons don’t eliminate you, I am going to, for positive.”
So, off we went. The food stuff was superior. Greg and Ronda have been great. The warmth was actually excellent. And, as the day wore on, I found our new friends to be some of the most delightful and entertaining probable killers who I experienced ever satisfied.
When it arrived race time, I requested all our pals — the two previous and new — to be a part of us in the paddock. And, off we went. Down the escalator. Out into the cold. Into the paddock space. And, into the globe of make-believe. Where by I enjoy to go. Where I really like to go to. Where by I like to dream.
The horses arrived. Our coach, Stephen Lyster, came into the paddock with our filly, Miss Jacqueline. And, we got to see and introduce them all to why I genuinely adore horses and why I have a racehorse.
The chill bumps on my arms have been not 100% owing to the wind and chill. The anxious nerves on my neck had been not 100% owing to the simple fact that Leigh and I may well have savored our very last meal. The very pleased and frightened appear in my eyes was not 100% because of to our new “close friends.” I was now, possibly for the final time at any time, fully jacked for the future race.
The rider arrived in excess of. We launched. We chatted. Thrills.
The outrider arrived by. We nodded. We chatted. Thrills.
The voice rang out. “Rider’s Up.” And, away Miss out on Jacqueline went to the monitor. Thrills.
We all collected up and I requested all to comply with me and Stephen to the famed Churchill Downs keep track of and we collected outside the winner’s circle to get the very best seem of the horses gallop by, as they warmed up for the race.
Leigh and I had been right here prior to. So lots of times prior to. And, nevertheless, we had in no way received a race at our home track and beneath these historic Twin Spires. Hardly ever. But hope usually springs everlasting.
We all collected all around to aid defend ourselves from the chill and the wind and observe the race, which was to start out on the backside for the 6-furlong sprint. And, we all watched the mega-Television that loomed overhead as the horses loaded the gate and sprang into motion.
Our filly, Pass up J, was on the significantly exterior, but it didn’t take her long to get to the frontside. They went immediately, and when Travis Stone, the keep track of announcer, informed us all that they went the first 1/8th of a mile in :21 & change, I gulped difficult. Actually difficult. Also fast. Way too early.
I didn’t feel there was any way Pass up J could last going like this, and neither did my mate, Stone, as the horses created the best of the extend. “Miss Jacqueline has come away with the guide, but she has experienced to do a whole lot of perform to get there,” he announced.
And, he was right.
But considerably to our shock, just when I considered she may perhaps again up, Miss J ran on. And, on. And, on. She started out to pull absent. And, Leigh started out to pull my arm. She was jumping up and down. Greg and Ronda were jumping up and down. Stephen, normally at my aspect, was quietly rooting and slapping my back. Up and down.
Our new good friends — Tim, Carla, Mark and Jaime — have been leaping up and down, as well. (I didn’t see any clear weapons of mass destruction in their clothes, head you.)
The get together was on.
Pass up Jacqueline ran off to get by more than 6 lengths that working day at Churchill Downs. We all collected, awkwardly and out of follow, for the winner’s circle picture. It was my initially get with a horse I owned thoroughly at Churchill Downs. The famed Churchill Downs. My house observe of Churchill Downs. I don’t know who was much more energized. Me. The filly. Stephen. My wonderful spouse was seemed to be on a pogo adhere. Greg and Ronda had been cheering. Loudly.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tim and Mark. Carla and Jaime. And, I could see the excitement in their eyes, also. I could see the thrill in their faces and the shouts in their voices. We all huddled. Together. And, we danced suitable there.
We all went back upstairs and purchased a bottle of champagne. Then, we ordered a different. And, then a third. And, then an Uber.
We put in the rest of the day speaking about Pass up J and her mother, Diamond Seeker, who I raced and Stephen educated, as properly.
We invested the relaxation of the day reliving the race and seeing the video clip. More than and in excess of. Around and in excess of.
We invested the relaxation of the night time chatting and laughing.
Then, in the middle of it all, Mark Deno — probable serial killer and/or accomplice — asked the greatest dilemma.
“How do we possess a racehorse like you? Can we purchase 1 with you?”
The serial killers were about to turn out to be companions. What a day.
It just so transpired that Overlook J’s 50 percent-sister — a minimal filly who was orphaned at start — was having prepared to go to the keep track of for the first time to get started her research on becoming a racehorse. It just so occurred that we were wanting for some attainable minority traders. It just so happened that Tim and Carla Moman and Mark and Jaime Deno ended up having ready to embark on a journey of a life span.
On that extremely day, we grew to become horse companions on a filly, who we would appear to know as Diamond Solitaire.
Over the previous four several years, The Momans and the Denos assisted produce and layout silks. They put the “group shades” alongside one another and may possibly ribbons and pins for all the companions to don and dorn. They invited their spouse and children customers to sign up for us at the track. And, even during Covid, they would flip up and flip out. Each and every. Single. Time.
And, Diamond appeared to flourish every single time she observed they merry faces and listen to their common relatives voices.
They would go to the backside and see her pre-race. They would flock to the paddock for her costume social gathering. And, they would yelp and holler all the way from get started to finish.
Around the past 4 a long time, Diamond raced 30 times. I guess — on the nose — that the Momans and the Denos have seen 28 of them.
About the previous 4 years, Diamond has gained 5 moments, with 7 seconds and 4 much more thirds.
Over the past 4 a long time, Diamond has earned over $314,000.
She has placed in 7 Stakes races, while she has by no means received 1 — however.
And, about the earlier 4 many years, Gene McLean and Leigh Ann Thacker have come to really like the Momans, the Denos, and all the other people they helped deliver into our partnership fold. Adore them. As spouse and children users. As family.
It was great.
Till it wasn’t.
It was just a couple of weeks ago that I got a textual content concept from Tim Moman that his college or university roommate and fellow Fraternity brother experienced fallen sick. His loved ones had located him unresponsive at his dwelling.
Even though the paramedics were equipped to revive him as soon as, 2 times and maybe even more, Mark Deno by no means regained comprehensive consciousness and right after a wrestle to run as rapid as Diamond Solitaire back to us, he was last but not least led away.
It was just about anything but great.
The tiny would-be serial killer was 1 of the kindest, most gentle, most sincere, most loving people today I experienced ever come to know. His mother and father have been the epitome of class. His spouse, Jamie, the accurate gentle of the working day.
Mark Deno was the ideal horse spouse. When we received, we celebrated as if there was no tomorrow. When we missing the heartbreakers at the wire, Mark Deno celebrated as if there was no tomorrow and produced absolutely sure I lifted my head in satisfaction, way too. When we lost badly, we lost alongside one another. And, Mark Deno was the 1st and foremost to pronounce there would be a better day coming a much better working day ahead and we celebrated as if there was no tomorrow.
By no means after, in my total daily life, did I see Mark Deno lose religion get rid of self-assurance or just get rid of. A improved working day was coming. Each race. Each time. Each time.
I can’t envision coming back to the most excellent Horseshoe Indianapolis in a couple of times to check out our Diamond Solitaire resume her 6-year-aged racing occupation with no wanting for and discovering the facial area of Mark Deno. It will make me cry each individual time I consider about him not being there.
He was normally the smile on the encounter of our group.
He was constantly the faith that pumped our team up in the most deflating of occasions.
He was normally the optimist, when optimism didn’t have a saddle fabric and was so challenging to locate.
He was the ring chief when they led us all into the ring of the winner’s circle, and he was the voice I read previously mentioned all the relaxation.
He was always there. Just there. Just constantly there.
He was and nonetheless is the really rationale I possess a racehorse.
Because devoid of a racehorse, I would have never ever identified Mark Deno. The gentleman who I admire as significantly as any who have left a horseshoe on my coronary heart. I would have under no circumstances known his dad and mom or his wife and youngsters — some of the most loving and caring people ever. I would have never ever experienced the option to know such a really like.
As the tears stream, my heart fills at the same time.
‘Trigger I know correct now, and when I make it to Horseshoe Indianapolis, I know Mark Deno will be there prepared to meet and greet and ready to celebration like there is no social gathering.
And, he will inform me, for sure, there is a superior working day a coming.
There is a superior working day a coming.
Mark Deno is the motive I have a racehorse.
Mark Deno is exactly why I personal a racehorse.
I experienced chatted with Mark and his prolonged-time pal and ole’ college roommate and fraternity brother, Tim Moman, through text information and more than the previous social media platform recognised as Twitter, but we experienced never fulfilled in man or woman right before.
The article Why I Individual A Racehorse: It’s Simply because of People today Like You, Mark Deno appeared to start with on The Pressbox.