General Quarters & Tom McCarthy Will Try It Again In The Preakness

General Quarters, with Julien Leparoux aboard, didn't have a good race at the Kentucky Derby (he came in 10th). The muddy track conditions were hard on the horse. After the race GQ had a mud ball in his nostril the size of a tennis ball. He also was bumped at the gate, like most other of the horses in the race.

Now both are off to run in the Preakness. His odds are 20-1, the same as when odds were first released for the Kentucky Derby. This time out he will have to go against many of the same contenders, including Derby winner Mine That Bird. However, now the overwhelming favorite is Rachel Alexandra, the filly who won the Kentucky Oaks by 20 lengths.

I hope that the race conditions for the Preakness are better than the Kentucky Derby. Good luck to family friend Tom McCarthy and his horse General Quarters.

General Quarters Wins Toyota Blue Grass Stakes & Will Go On To The Kentucky Derby

The "upsets" are over for General Quarters, the horse who is owned and trained by Tom McCarthy, the retired principal from Louisville. He has had a great run this year and has deserved a spot in The Kentucky Derby. What makes his story more unique is that he is 75 and General Quarters is the only horse in his stable. He had had many offers for GQ, but his answer back is always "You don't sell a dream". It is a great story and one that will be known very soon by millions of people.

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

What makes the story so cool for me is that Tom McCarthy is a long time family friend. We couldn't be happier for him and his family. It is so surreal to have this happen and needless to say we all can't wait until the first Saturday in May.

To learn more about General Quarters go to http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/general-quarters/2006?source=BHonline

or "Retired principal hopes to catch Derby break"
http://www.kentucky.com/285/story/757872.html