Is it Brittany Russell's turn?

I asked Oliver if she felt any particular pressure as a female trainer ahead of the Derby in 2021.  “Not necessarily,” she said.  “The pressure is you want to be the first female, of course, that’s the pressure you get - you’d like to set history.  You think about it in the weeks heading up.  But now history’s been made, perhaps I’ve got to start looking elsewhere, you know?”

When asked about her emotions immediately following Golden Tempo’s win in Derby 152, Oliver was quick to celebrate DeVaux, and her work ethic.  “Oh, I was just so happy for [Cherie].  It’s a huge race to win… it was a great moment.  For the first female, it’s a major, major accomplishment.  You know, with Stash in the Derby, it was ‘female this female this female this’ and I still had to get up in the morning, so you don’t really look at it that way.  I think the only way you look at it is: she’s the first female, no woman had done it, but in no way on a daily basis do you think to yourself ‘I’m a girl, so I have to earn this right.’  You don’t.  You just have to do your own thing and train your own horses.”

Trainer Vicki Oliver ahead of the 2021 Kentucky Derby.  Photo credit: Pat McDonogh, Louisville Courier-Journal.

JENA ANTONUCCI BREAKS THROUGH

Since Hidden Stash’s 13th-place finish in 2021, two of the Triple Crown races have had female trainers take home the trophy.  Jena Antonucci won the 2023 Belmont Stakes with Arcangelo, smashing whatever glass ceiling remained for women in training.

I asked Antonucci about that moment, and what it felt like.  “Well, I’m pretty sure they beeped my reaction when I said we won the Belmont Stakes - that was the cleanest Italian version.”

When asked about the significance of being the first woman to train a Triple Crown race winner, she was reflective. “So, I mean, a lot of people have talked about the gender aspect of it, and I don’t ignore that - I’m so grateful for what it means for other people.

“I don’t live my life with ‘I’m a woman, so give me this opportunity or I didn’t get that opportunity because I’m a woman.’  I didn’t get this opportunity because I’m a woman.  I’m a, you know, bust your butt and do the work kind of person.  So, for me, it’s a bit of a balance honestly in my head, navigating that and what it means to everyone else.  I’m grateful that they share that with me, and that it inspires them to work harder or to chase dreams and goals.  And I don’t take that for granted.”

Trainer Jena Antonucci raises the August Belmont Trophy in 2023.  Photo credit: Brad Penner, USA Today.

UP NEXT: BRITTANY RUSSELL

Trainer Brittany Russell has an opportunity to do something that in 2022 was nearly impossible to imagine: become the first female trainer to win the Preakness, and give the sport a female winner of each of its Triple Crown races.

Russell will send Taj Mahal, winner of the final Preakness prep race in the Federico Tesio Stakes, to the starting gate.  He’ll be amongst the betting favorites at post time.

Russell has risen to the top of the Maryland training ranks.  She reflected on her success on the mid-Atlantic circuit, including being the first woman to win the year-long training title in the state.  This is no small accomplishment, given the Maryland Jockey Club was founded in 1743.

When sitting down with MJC’s Mackenzie Pfeiffer, she admitted she didn’t fully appreciate the accomplishment in the moment.  “I think back then, I didn’t appreciate it as much.  I think because of [her daughter] Edy, I see her watching everything we’re doing.  All the little girls out there - I have to look at it like that.  You have to realize what you’re doing for the little ones coming up.”

She echoed many of the sentiments of DeVaux, Oliver, and Antonucci: the job is a daily one, and one that requires a desire that transcends the sport.  “It’s just day-to-day, we’re just doing what we do.  I love training horses.  I get up in the morning, and do my thing.”

Russell saddled Dazzling Dame in this year’s Kentucky Oaks, the top race for 3-year-old fillies in North America, run on Friday before the Derby.  She shared the walkover before the race with Assistant Trainer Emma Wolfe.  “Emma’s another good example of women being successful and having dreams and chasing them, because she’s worked really hard to get where she is in my operation,” Russell said.

She added: “It was emotional walking over.  We did this.  We created this.  This is us.”

Russell didn’t shy away from there being occasional disagreements between her and Wolfe.  “It’s the thing that makes it work and click: it can’t always just be good.  It drives you to do things better.  Emma’s a leader.  You have to have those kinds of traits.”

Pfeiffer then asked about Russell’s general approach: one where she keeps her head down and lets the results speak for themselves.  Is there added pressure this week?

“I think I need to enjoy it.  It’s hard to get horses like this.  It’s hard to get into positions like this.  It’s hard to win races like this.  I’m really just trying to enjoy the whole experience.  I’m a person who likes my day-to-day, who likes a simple life.  But I think we need to appreciate why we’re here.”

The Russell barn is a family affair.  Russell’s husband, Sheldon, has ridden over 300 of her trainees in the last year and a half alone.  It comes as no surprise their two children, the aforementioned daughter Edy and son Rye, would be staples at the barn.

We asked Russell what she hopes her daughter Edy will take away from her childhood.  “That we all did it together,” Russell replied, with obvious emotion.  “A lot of people aren’t as fortunate, to be able to do what they do and have their family around.”

Russell paused to collect herself.

“...and the hard work.  You have to work hard, because things aren’t handed to you.  If Sheldon and I are going to continue to be successful together, they need to know they have to work hard for what they want.”

She quickly quipped: “I guess it’s better to get this emotion out today.”

Pfeiffer then asked what it would mean to win the Preakness, Maryland’s most prestigious race, and the only Triple Crown race without a female training winner amongst its ranks.  “It would be extra special for me - Maryland being our home, and Laurel being our home base.

“It would be unbelievable to have in recent years Jena winning with Arcangelo and Cherie getting the Derby done, it would just be a little fairy tale if I could do it.”

Taj Mahal will head to the starting gate as one of the favorites in Preakness 151.  Photo Credit: Maryland Jockey Club.

PREAKNESS GLORY AWAITS

Oliver likes Russell’s chances in Preakness 151.  “Her percentages are better in Maryland than anywhere else.  That’s her home track, if she’s going to take a shot at winning one of the Triple Crown races - that’s the best place.”

What might a Russell celebration look like?

“I’m usually pretty quiet when I watch a race.  It’s hard to say, we’ll get caught up in the moment, if it’s there.”

The forensic team after the Preakness may just find a similar set of women’s prints in Laurel: those of Brittany, Emma, and little Edy.

Should Taj Mahal cross the line first, Russell admitted the moment would be a special one.

“I might even get caught up in the emotion.”

And perhaps, just perhaps, after Saturday, she can echo the words of Cherie DeVaux:

“I'm just glad I don't have to answer that question anymore.”