Horse Racing Fantasy Community

They said that Arazi was unbeatable going into the 1992 Kentucky Derby. He was the super horse, the new Secretariat, and to many, actually running the Derby was just a formality. His jockey Patrick Valenzuela even assured interviewers prior to the Run for the Roses that "This race is over." Daily Racing Form writer Joe Hirsch wrote that the French colt was "such an extraordinary animal that he makes other great horses look like hacks." Apparently, it was just a matter of how many lengths Arazi would win by, because the outcome was certainly not in question.

A funny thing happened to Arazi on the way to the winner's circle. There was a $2,000 yearling that nobody wanted in the race that day. His name was Lil E. Tee, and he entered the Kentucky Derby on 1992 off a close second place finish in the Arkansas Derby after winning the Grade II Jim Beam Stakes. His rider was Pat Day, who would be trying to win his first Kentucky Derby after failing ten times.

Arazi was the second coming of Secretariat, so there was a record throng on hand at Churchill Downs to see him trounce this field of upstarts. Arazi made his big move from way back as they passed the 3/4 pole, and Dave Johnson made his memorable call, "Arazi is flying," and it was indeed a visually impressive move. The only trouble was, Lil E. Tee was right behind him, and he kept on charging as Arazi was backing up and out of contention. Lil E. Tee won the Kentucky Derby at 18-1 over Casual Lies. Arazi finished 8th.

When you see an outsider achieve the unlikely in a horse race like the Kentucky Derby, it gets you to thinking that anything is possible, and it is good for the soul. Lil E. Tee went on to finish fifth in the Preakness and then had to pass on the Belmont due to a lung problem. He was then declared out for the rest of the year due to bone chips in his ankles. He came back to win the Grade II Razorback Handicap at four, and he was retired that same year. He was euthanized this year at Old Frankfort Stud Farm outside of Lexington, Kentucky. Lil E. Tee won seven of his 13 lifetime starts, came in second four times, and third once. He won $1,437,506. Arazi won $1,213.307 during his 14 race career.