Pierre and Leslie Amestoy had no idea that their $230,000 investment in a colt named Practical Move would take them all the way to the Kentucky Derby. But now, after winning the San Felipe Stakes and Los Alamitos Futurity, this impressive horse has enough qualifying points to compete in the big race on May 6th.

With Practical Move as the favorite for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, the Amestoys are both surprised and thrilled by their horse’s accomplishments. Their long journey began last April when they purchased Practical Move, a colt with a lot of potential but also an April 30th foal date that made prospective buyers wary.

Despite being the youngest of nine horses scheduled to start in the race, Practical Move has continued to shine. And with Pierre and Leslie Amestoy’s unwavering support and guidance, Practical Move’s trainer, Tim Yakteen, has helped transform the horse into a Grade 2 winner twice over, on the cusp of taking on the Kentucky Derby.

The Amestoys have plenty of experience in the world of horse racing. Leslie was a champion equestrian and one of the first female trainers in New Mexico, while Pierre was a jockey agent who eventually found success in buying, selling, and pinhooking horses with his wife. Their decision to enter the world of big-time horse ownership was the result of encouragement from Roger Beasley, a fellow partner who saw the potential for great things in Practical Move.

While they acknowledge that the competition at the Derby will be fierce, the Amestoys are excited for the opportunity and believe that if Practical Move remains healthy and runs a strong race on Saturday, they’ll have a fighting chance in Kentucky. And in the unpredictable world of horse racing, that’s really all anyone can ask for.