Syracuse, N.Y. — A horse co-owned by a Central New York businessman and Syracuse University men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim is headed to the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding–Weitsman Recycling, got word today from Kentucky Derby officials that Hidden Stash is among 20 horses that will compete in this year’s marquee horse race on May 1.
“We are IN!” Weitsman said this afternoon. “I can’t wait. I can’t tell you how excited I am. We’ll be one of the biggest long shots, but it’ll be fun just being there.”
Weitsman is the majority stakeholder of Hidden Stash. He bought the horse for $50,000 along with BBN Racing, whose co-founders include Troy native Brendan O’Brien and Skidmore College alumnus Brian Klatsky. Braxton Lynch, a thoroughbred breeder in Kentucky, is also among the owners.
Weitsman gave a portion of his share in Hidden Stash as a birthday present for Boeheim, one of his best friends.
“He’s a very tough guy to buy gifts for,” Weitsman said. “He’ll be right there with me.”
Weitsman said he’ll also be bringing a dozen “poker buddies” with them to the Derby.
The chestnut-haired colt’s trainer is Victoria H. Oliver and the jockey is Rafael Bejarano.
Hidden Stash was bred at Rhineshire Farm in Kentucky. Weitsman and O’Brien bought the horse in September 2019 at the Keeneland Association sale in Lexington, Kentucky.
The horse won the Allowance Optional Claiming at Churchill Downs in November and finished in the top five at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and the Sam F. Davis Stakes on the road to this year’s Kentucky Derby.
This provided photo shows Hidden Stash, a horse partly owned by CNY's Adam Weitsman, racing at Churchill Downs in Kentucky.Churchill Downs/Coady Photography
Hidden Stash last week was ranked 22nd on the Kentucky Derby’s leaderboard, but has enough points to move up to the top 20 horses for the derby after other horse owners pulled out.
The undefeated Essential Quality is expected to be the favorite, while Hidden Stash could see odds of 40-1, O’Brien said. Right now, Hidden Stash’s odds are about 20-1, Weitsman said. Official betting lines will not be established until April 27.
O’Brien, who grew up going to the races at Saratoga, likes Hidden Stash’s chances, despite the odds.
“If you bet on us and we win, you could walk away with a good amount of money,” O’Brien said. “ He has a real shot. We’ve been coming on at the end of races. I’m optimistic.”
The 147th Kentucky Derby takes place May 1. The Triple Crown series also includes the Preakness on May 15 and Belmont Stakes on June 5.
Reporter Geoff Herbert contributed to this report. Charlie Miller is a journalist with syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. You can reach him at 315-382-1984.