Horse with Georgia ties to race in Kentucky Derby

Sports

If Georgians need a horse to cheer for in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, they should take a look at Mucho Macho Man, whose majority owners, Dean and Patti Reeves, live in Suwanee.

If Georgians need a horse to cheer for in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, they should take a look at Mucho Macho Man. Suwanee's Dean and Patti Reeves hold majority ownership of the 12-1 hopeful, and Smyrna's Kostas Hatzikoutelis was a partner in the syndicate that originally bought him. Hatzikoutelis still maintains a minority stake in the horse.

Mucho Macho Man's trainer, Kathy Ritvo, is back at Churchill Downs three years after having a heart transplant. She hopes the colt can make her the first female trainer to win the Run for the Roses. "This horse makes it easy," she says. "He loves his job. It's easy for me. I wish I could take more credit."

Mucho Macho Man has adapted well to his new Churchill Downs surroundings, Kathy Ritvo says. The horse has trained equally well in the slop and on a dry, fast track. "He's in great shape. We're very confident," she says. The forecast at post time is 65 degrees with scattered thunderstorms.

During Wednesday's blind draw, Dean and Patti Reeves and James Culver cheered when Mucho Macho Man got the No. 13 spot in the 20-horse race. There is no triskaidekaphobia in the horse racing world, at least not in the Derby. Since 1900, four horses have won from that gate, the last being Smarty Jones in 2004.

1/5

If Georgians need a horse to cheer for in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, they should take a look at Mucho Macho Man. Suwanee's Dean and Patti Reeves hold majority ownership of the 12-1 hopeful, and Smyrna's Kostas Hatzikoutelis was a partner in the syndicate that originally bought him. Hatzikoutelis still maintains a minority stake in the horse.

Today's Gallery Headlines

4A Boys State Championship game between St. Pius X and Pace Academy

Alerts

Photos: St. Pius defeats Pace Academy for 4A boys basketball state championship

Photos: Nation's top prospect Kate Harpring leads Marist to 2026 state championship

Photos: Clinch County defeats Portal to claim 2026 boys basketball title

Photos: Wilcox County girls defeat Washington-Wilkes to win 2026 title

Photos: Darlington boys basketball win program's first state championship

Photos: Hebron Christian wins 2026 girls private basketball title

PHOTOS: Atlanta United falls in home opener to Real Salt Lake

Photos: Wheeler defeats McEachern in semifinal to advance to 6A state championship