LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Barbaro statue outside of the Kentucky Derby museum in Louisville is just one of Lerornard Lusky’s proud achievements in preserving horse racing history.
“The statue is a work of engineering art. You’ll notice that all four feet are off the ground. How do you get a solid bronze structure without tipping over? Its internal structure has beams sticking to the rail. It really was a great job, and it produced a great product,” Lusky said.
Lusk, who is the president of Moonlight Press, also worked closely with Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery, helping to preserve the significance and history of the iconic horse.
“He was muscular, he was handsome, he had this aurora about him, a charisma. Many people call him the movie star of horses and he knew it,” Lusky said.
And so did the spectators, including John Sutton, who, in addition to 82 other Derby races, was there when Secretariat imprinted himself in history.
“He was a magnificent looking animal, chestnut colt. He wasn’t extra large, but just large and he had the look, what we called ‘the look’ and it’s called the look of eagles,” Sutton said.
The horse racing superfan says when he saw Secretariat in the Paddock, he could tell the horse was ready for something special.
“You can tell when a horse wants to run because he’s pulling on his handlers, his ears are pricked, he’s on his toes maybe,” Sutton said.
Lusky hopes through his work, Secretariat can inspire younger generations, 50 years after the victory.
“It’s important I think to do that—to kind of restock the inventory of fans within the sport and it’s an easy thing to do because there are so many aspects of thoroughbred racing that are attractive. To some it’s the gambling, they like the excitement. To some it’s simply the thrill of the pageantry and competition of the horses,” Lusky said.
Ultimately, for Lusky, keeping Secretariat’s legacy alive and helping new people discover the wonder of horseracing is a calling.
“You know, introducing people to the sport, getting to be part of the sport and sometimes part of the history is just so gratifying to me.”