Mechanicville’s Chad Brown to Run Horse in Kentucky Derby

It's the Running of the Roses. The most coveted horse race in America and Mechanicville native, Chad Brown has a horse in the race. He is one of the most successful horse trainers in the game and happens to be from my hometown. It's a given that we will all be rooting for him on Saturday in the Kentucky Derby.

We have known the Brown family for years. My Uncle John was a mentor to Chad when he was an up-and-coming trainer. They were so close that when my Uncle passed away, he arranged that his ashes be scattered in the infield of the Saratoga Race Course near the big tree. My mom and Chad's mom, Patty has been playing bocce together for years. They enter tournaments and are a part of the Mechanicville Bocce League. So when Chad is successful we are all extremely proud and cheer him on.

The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday night around 6:30 and be aired on News Channel 13. Chad Brown only has one horse in the race. It's Highly Motivated and it is one of the favorites out of the twenty horses that will run. If Highly Motivated wins, it will be the first Kentucky Derby win for Chad Brown and he thinks he has a very good chance.

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According to WLKY.com, Chad's horse, Highly Motivated, has never finished worse than third in the five races started. In fact, he was winning the Blue Grass Stakes before losing at the wire to Essential Quality. That horse is the favorite for this Saturday's Kentucky Derby. Chad is 0-5 in Kentucky Derby starts and he came close in 2018 with Good Magic when that horse finished second.

No matter win or lose, all of Mechanicville and much of the Capital Region will be watching and rooting for Chad Brown. It's awesome to see that a hometown family friend is doing amazing things. Hopefully, he can finally get a Kentucky Derby win under his belt.