Yesterday, one of the good guys of racing had a horse running. Mike Pegram is definitely one of the good guys. He has not only given to the sport we love, but also honors others in a very special way.

Race Caller Luke, a two-year-old co-owned by Mike Pegram, was named in honor of track announcer Luke Kruytbosch. This boy led from start to finish to polish off the field with a 5 1/4 length victory at Santa Anita.

Kruytbosch died in July at age 47 of an apparent heart attack. He and Pegram had become close friends.

Bob Baffert conditioned the runner, and for his second start, he overcame his camera shyness. He had to overcome the 10 hole, but this was his day. Apprentice rider Brandon Meier rode a beautiful race, but dropped his whip in mid-stretch.  By that time, the race was for place.  It happens to the best Brandon; no sweat….

The race was fun to watch, and brought a tear to your eye. Trevor Denman, who makes every call sound like the Breeders’ Cup, is incredible.  But in this race, he really didn’t give any of his trademark quotes about the special name of the runner. That was a little letdown thinking about the race afterwards.

Luke would have had fun with the call. No comparison of the race-callers, but his call may have sounded a little something like this: “There’s no catching Race Caller Luke, and with a show of confidence, bug-boy Brandon Meier threw his whip away; as they won’t catch him today.”