BY GARRY ALLISON

Rocky Mountain Turf ClubEach year the Rocky Mountain Turf Club plays host to a Kentucky Derby party, of which RMTC CEO Max Gibb says: "If you can't be at the Derby, Whoop-Up Downs is the place to be."

And, usually Gibb has somewhat of a tie-in with one of the Derby runners, this Saturday its second-favourite - in some people's books- Mucho Macho Man.

"This horse is trained by a super lady who has to be an inspiration to us all," says Gibb. "Kathy Ritvo trains a Derby entry, and is a survivour of a heart transplant. She began rubbing legs and wrapping legs, and now she's a trainer in the Kentucky Derby, despite having undergone a complete heart transplant. What an inspiration!"

Gibb, RMTC Race Manager Dot Stein and Bully's General Manager Rose Rossi all met Ritvo, and Mucho Macho Man, during a recent visit to the Florida Derby.

"I think Macho Man has a great chance, he loves this cold weather and he's had two good workouts here," said Kathy Ritvo, who has been in great health since her heart transplant in 2008. "Our horse is fit and ready to go"Speaking by phone from Churchill Downs, Ritvo said her horse is very tall - over 17 hands high - and has a huge stride.

"He's such an easy-going horse."

Ritvo and the owners, Dean and Patti Reeves, who have supported Kathy in all her endeavours with Mucho Macho Man, are not looking past Saturday's Derby, but . . .

"As long as he runs well and comes out of the Derby in good condition we are looking forward to the Preakness and then the Belmont."

Not wanting to jinx her horse, she did admit it would be nice to be going for the Triple Crown come Belmont time.

In the high-pressure world of major hose racing Ritvo has won more than 150 races and seven Stakes races, including the Calder Breeder's Cup.

"Kathy's horse has beaten two Derby favourites and it would be a fun wager on this horse with a chance," says Gibb.

Mucho Macho Man is by Macho Uno out of Ponce De Leona by Ponche and will be ridden by Jamaica rider Rajiv Maragh is a grandson of Holy Bull.

Gibb says Mucho Macho Man is a "game, genuine horse and always gives his best. He has a better chance of winning than it may look. In the Holy Bull Stakes in Florida, he threw a shoe and still finished fourth by less than a length and was closing."

Gibb now has a filly in Edmonton by Holy Boll, which sired Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. On the Lethbridge scene, Bullys and other RMTC TV's will feature all the races from Churchill Downs Saturday as well as other tracks throughout North America.

RMTC Race Manger Don Stein has a full first-weekend of racing live horse racing all set, with post times both days at 1:05 p.m.

Saturday is the start of the RMTC Spring Meet, with racing each weekend through July 2-3.