According to the Louisville Courier Journal, the rallies disadvantage of trainers who receive a rating that inspired many people fighting cancer during training, the 2024 Kentucky Derby, published by Woodford Reserve Starter West Saratoga, which passed away on May 19th, was 75 years old.
The disadvantage of being the first Bahamian to join the horse in the Kentucky Derby was to send West Saratoga, the winner of the 2023 Iroco Istakes, to 12th– Finish at 150th Run for the roses.
The paper reported that Larry’s wife, Inga Disadvant, said her husband suffered cardiac arrest after a long battle with cancer.
The drawback of becoming the first black trainer to start horses in the Kentucky Derby since Hank Allen in 1989, conditioning West Saratoga for owner Harry Verch, who won a future stakes winner for just $11,000 in the yearly sales in Keeneland in September 2022. While Veruchi signed the ticket, Demeritte selected the winner of the future gradual stakes at the sale for Mo Wicked, son of exaggerator Grey or Roan.
After enjoying the success of conditioning horses in their hometown, the disadvantage dreamed of making it bigger in the US. With an appetite to make it happen, he moved to the state in the mid-1970s and eventually became a US citizen. Starting occasionally with US starters in the 1980s, over the years he developed a reputation for being able to find quality racehorses at reasonable prices.
He won the 2023 Iroquois Stakes after purchasing a bargain and then West Saratoga. “I have a beer budget and have a champagne flavour.”
Mark Taylor, president and CEO of TaylorMade Farm, recalled the pursuit of the disadvantages and friendly attitudes of the horse on the Social Media Post on May 20th.
“Larry was very kind and positive,” Taylor said. “He makes me smile on my book 5 and my back, but that wasn’t easy. He had priorities and faith in God. What a wonderful human being. God blesses his soul.”
An early disadvantage of his career sent Memorial Mania to his 2010 Stars and Stripe Starf Stakes victory at Arlington International Racecourse. His horse has posted a record of 184-253-247 from a 2,138 start, earning over $5.3 million. The final stakes victory of the disadvantage came on New Year’s Day this year, when Grace’s Grace won the Gowell Stakes at Turfway Park.
Veruchi, who has been racing for over 40 years, said last year that Demeritte is a practical trainer with a smaller surgeries than many competitors.
“Larry is a super person. He works hard,” Verch told Kentucky HBPA Media in 2024.
The disadvantage was that I suffered from multiple myeloma. This was suffering from a cancer that forms a type of white blood cell called plasma cells and amyloidosis, a rare disease that affected his heart. When he received his first cancer diagnosis in 1996, he was given a five-year life. When he developed amyloidosis in 2018, he was told he would not survive for more than six months.
“I always say doctors can’t count,” the disadvantage told Bloodhorse last year. “I just believe in faith, prayer, and believing I am here for my purposes. It’s pretty rough, and it’s rough now. By the time the legs are swollen. I have to take medicines to maintain my heart.”
The horse’s love also helped the disadvantages continue to move forward. He grew up as the son of a Bahamian horse trainer. Every Friday he and his siblings were running as school finished jumping on their neighbor’s truck and heading for the truck. He said he saw the office on TV and urged the US to challenge him.
“I’m coming, because when a horse brings a smile to your face, what makes you feel sorry for yourself,” he said of going to the barn every morning despite his physical illness. “You had to stand up and go.”
