Buckhead and Sandy Springs residents have two horses running in Kentucky Derby

Buckhead’s Larry Connolly and Sandy Springs resident Keith Mason will be watching the Kentucky Derby on May 4 with more interest than most as they have two horses competing in the Run for the Roses.

The syndicate they formed, West Paces Racing LLC, owns one-third of both and Society Man.

“We’re the only ownership group that has that,” Mason said.

They named it West Paces Racing because many of their investors came from the Cherokee Town Club, where Connolly had been president and where they both were members. They also shared an office on West Paces Ferry Road, Mason said.

West Paces Racing is a “money all outfit,” which Connolly defined as always looking to get the best horses for the money they have available

Connolly said in the lead up to the race as an owner he’ll call the trainer to check on the status of the horses after their morning workouts.

You’re hoping for a conversation and not one where you know they stepped in a hole, or you know they kind of flew they’re not heating well yet again a slight temperature. You just hold your breath that they stay healthy,” he said.

He said they have close to 50 people affiliated with the partnership who will “invade” Louisville for Derby Weekend. They get credentials for 12 people to escort the horses from the barn to the paddock, which is done on the track on the outside rail.

You’re hoping for a conversation and not one where you know they stepped in a hole, or you know they kind of flew they’re not heating well yet again a slight temperature. You just hold your breath that they stay healthy,” he said.

He said they have close to 50 people affiliated with the partnership who will “invade” Louisville for Derby Weekend. They get credentials for 12 people to escort the horses from the barn to the paddock, which is done on the track on the outside rail.

He said the electricity generated by 150,000 fans is immeasurable, fun, and exciting.

His first exposure to racing was from growing up in Rye, New York. He went to the Belmont and Saratoga racetracks for social reasons. It wasn’t until he met Lawrence Kenny in the 1990s that racing became an interest.

Kenny, a Scotland native, had tried a career as a steeplechase jockey before going back to school and into business. Between 1996 and 2001 Kenny and Connolly went to Cheltenham Festival in Scotland every March.