From a $500 Bid to Horse Parents: Our Journey to a Kentucky Derby Contender
A charity golf tournament has unexpectedly led Michele Arthur and Ruben Islas to the cusp of their dream: competing in the Kentucky Derby. Their aspirations are set to be tested this Saturday during the Santa Anita Derby, an event that could shape their trajectory in horse racing.
Arthur’s foray into the racing world began eight years ago during a charity event she helped organize in memory of a slain friend. Initially uninterested in horse ownership, she bid $500 for a behind-the-scenes tour of Santa Anita or Del Mar, drawn by childhood memories of her fondness for horses and the lack of bids for that auction item.
“What that $500 would lead to was beyond my imagination,” Arthur reflected.
On the day of the tour, Arthur invited Islas, a long-time friend and business partner of her husband, to join her. “Sure, yeah, I love horses,” Islas responded, sharing her enthusiasm. The tour concluded with an opportunity from trainer Mike Pender to buy a half-interest in an unraced two-year-old for $25,000. While Arthur’s husband declined, both she and Islas seized the moment.
“Come on, Michele, you’re with me, right?” Islas urged. “Absolutely,” Arthur replied, marking the beginning of their journey as what Islas calls “horse parents.”
Almost a year later, the friends found themselves at Churchill Downs, observing the Derby as spectators. The day before the event, they celebrated their success with their filly, Queen Maxima, who won the Unbridled Sidney Stakes. Together, they vowed to return, ideally with more than just memories.
“After a couple of drinks, I looked at Mike Pender and said, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to do, but you’re going to get us to the Kentucky Derby next year,’” Islas recalled. “And here we are.”
Their third horse, named Intrepido, had shown promise in previous races, stirring dreams of the Derby. Eighteen days prior, Pender had persuaded them to exceed their budget, allowing them to purchase Intrepido for $385,000.
Arthur wanted his name to reflect bravery, suggesting “Intrepid.” However, since the name was taken, Islas created a playful derivation, explaining, “I always joke that your Spanish teacher probably told you that ropa don’t mean rope and sopa don’t mean soap? Well, guess what: Intrepido means intrepid.”
While Intrepido’s recent performance was a mixed bag—finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and second in the Robert B. Lewis—Arthur and Islas face a critical moment in their racing journey. Given the points accumulation system for the Kentucky Derby, Intrepido likely needs to finish first or second at the Santa Anita Derby to secure a spot.
“I’m on pins and needles,” Islas admitted, acknowledging the nerves that accompany the thrill. “But I’m really kind of enjoying the ride.”
At 57, Islas is also a filmmaker, while Arthur is involved in philanthropy and serves on the board of directors for the San Diego Symphony. With her 60th birthday just days after the Derby, Arthur mused, “It’d be the ultimate 60th birthday present.”
Intrepido, trained by Jeff Mullins, is currently the co-third choice at 7-2 among the seven竞争ers in the Santa Anita Derby, scheduled for 4:46 p.m. The race features notable competitors, including favorites trained by Bob Baffert, but all except Potente would require a top-two finish to maintain hopes for the Kentucky Derby.
As they approach race day, Arthur and Islas are not just hoping for a victory but perhaps for a momentous triple—a win with Intrepido and a second consecutive triumph with Queen Maxima in her respective race later that day. Their aspirations are twofold, embodying both a deep passion for the sport and a shared dream of major success on one of racing’s grandest stages.
