Kentucky Derby Could Mean Big Pay Off for Local Trainer

When the bell sounds and the gates fly open at the 137th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Peters Township resident Sue Stepusin won’t be caught up in which hat to don or when to start stirring the mint juleps. No, she’ll be watching for a blaze of glory. 

The horsewoman has a stake in this race that doesn’t necessarily equal to a wager payoff, but one more valuable. Pants On Fire, a 3-year-old colt lining up at the gate, was sired by Jump Start who was bred to a mare of hers two weeks ago. Jump Start’s bloodline leads back to Secretariat, the thoroughbred that in 1973 set the Kentucky Derby race record that still stands today.

"Absolutely I’m rooting for him," said Stepusin. "If he wins and the mare is in fact pregnant that makes the foal worth more."

She’ll find out May 12th if the union was successful.

The unassuming Stepusin, who has been around horses "since Moby was a minnow," spends her time raising horses and getting her feet wet in the racing world, all while instructing new and experienced riders here on the edge of Peters in Nottingham.

In colder weather she’s found beyond the towering sliding wooden doors of the indoor arena at Mingo Creek Farms sporting a knit cap, dusty blue jeans and a blue nylon jacket; speaking softly to her students carefully watching each movement they and their horse makes.

"I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing them learn to make their own decisions," she said. "Learning to ride a horse teaches students, especially kids, to be more independent. There’s nothing I can do on the ground to control the situation. They control the situation."

Stepusin is one of three instructors teaching at the 50-acre horse facility that boards 37 horses set on a pristine landscape of rolling hills, fenced paddocks, the obligatory red hay barn and farmhouse complete with a bubbling brook and a few head of cattle.

Owner Vivian Harbison, who lives on the property with her daughter Jackie, built the barn nearly 35 years ago. A real estate professional for just shy of 20 years, Harbison is in on the never-ending work at the barn.

Meshing the barn and her work with in McMurray, she can be seen driving the tractor, mucking the stalls and filling them with fresh shavings. Her warm personality and contagious smile put even the neophyte horse enthusiast at ease. It’s no easy task running the piece of horse heaven.

"I wish I had more time to ride, but I enjoy seeing the kids and Jackie having a good time," she said. "I can’t imagine looking out my kitchen window and not seeing the horses."

And there’s nothing like seeing those horses on show days. Groomed as well as their riders, these big babies are ready to compete in the arena. This is the day horse, rider and trainer put their best feet and hooves forward to show what they know.

Stepusin along with fellow trainers Jen Gallagher and Elizabeth Goldberg are available to new riders and those who know how to fall off a horse. The lesson program at Mingo Creek engages riders of all ages from the littlest ones of about 5-years-old to those who’d just rather not reveal how many trips around the sun they’ve made. 

They all encourage their students in the show arena. Mingo Creek Farms hosts a series of Hunter School Shows that allow their students to compete for the coveted colorfully-ruffled ribbons. The next up is slated for June 5th and the public is welcome to come and watch, sans the mint juleps at least.

Kentucky Derby Factoids:

• Also known as “Run for the Roses”
• Length of race is 1.25 miles
• Known as the “fastest two minutes in sports”
• Only 3-year-old thoroughbreds allowed to race
• More than 400 horses will be nominated however just 20 will be selected based on the most money won in winter’s biggest races
• Mint Julep is the official drink, made of bourbon, mint and sweet syrup served in a silver or pewter cup
• When it comes to hats, the wider the brim and the brighter the color, the better
• Millionaire’s Row is the section of premium seating for rich and famous guests of the Kentucky Derby
• Jockeys rarely weigh more than 115 pounds
• Secretariat holds the Kentucky Derby record time of 1:59 2/5 in the 1973 race

Sources: www.factmonster.com, www.about.com and www.hats.com