For Hendricks, Race Will Cap a Busy Week

A daily look at Brother Derek, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby and the morning-line favorite in today’s Kentucky Derby. Today, Times staff writer Robyn Norwood talks to trainer Dan Hendricks, who will watch the race on television from his wheelchair in the tunnel or the paddock area instead of from a box in the grandstand.

My three boys, Chris, Matt and Greg, got in last night. They’re excited. They got to miss two days of school.

It’s been hard for our family at times, but they’ve been fine. They’re resilient.

I’ll probably hang out at the barn before the race. My boys will probably walk over from the barn with me. We’ll watch in the paddock or the tunnel.

They’re excited, but I’m not worried about them being too disappointed. I’ve been getting beat eight out of 10 all my life. They’re used to it. It’s like baseball, one out of three is good.

Brother Derek, he’s doing real well. He seems to handle the track and doesn’t mind all the people. He won’t be out in front at first. Hopefully, we’ll be right out there behind the speed. We’d like to be laying about fifth, just off the speed.

I thought the pressure was getting here. We’re here. The pressure’s off.

We got him here, and you’ve got to hope everything goes well.

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week. It’s been fun. I’m tired. It’s my own fault. If I had gone home at the right time every night, I wouldn’t be.

No matter what, you can still look at the twin spires you’ve heard about all your life. This is it. This is what we do it for.