I'll Have Another's Kentucky Derby Victory Nets SGV Man $16,300

From a Santa Anita Park press release.

I’ll Have Another, into a victory at Saturday's Kentucky Derby, brought home a winning purse of $1.2 million — and made 32-year-old Pasadena resident Greg Politano $16,300.

The win was the result of a $1,000 win wager made by Santa Anita Park on Politano's behalf.

Politano, who works for a medical company in Irwindale, entered Santa Anita’s free “Derby Owner for the Day” contest April 7 to participate in the “owner experience” without the bills. 

Accordingly, Politano went to the paddock on Santa Anita Derby Day and listened in as jockey Mario Gutierrez and I'll Have Another's owners, Paul and Zilla Reddam, discussed pre-race strategy with trainer Doug O’Neill.

Politano then watched from the Winner's Circle as I’ll Have Another took the Derby Day crown: most importantly, he won the opportunity to have a $1,000 win wager placed for him in the Kentucky Derby.

When Gutierrez and I’ll Have Another hit the finish line at Churchill Downs , Politano knew he’d hit a jackpot. The horse paid $32.60 on a $2.00 win ticket.

“I was planning on watching the Kentucky Derby from home," Politano said, "but at the last minute, my work took me to Jersey, so I was able to watch the race with my family there.  My mom was very optimistic, but I never win anything and I told her, ‘He’s 15 to 1. He’s not going to win.’

“When he pulled into second, I was still pessimistic. I was convinced there wasn’t enough track left to catch Bodemeister. I was still preparing myself for heartbreak, but when (I'll Have Another) caught (Bodemeister), it was just joy, disbelief and I turned to my family and screamed ‘He won!!’"

“I ran to my stepfather, who also bet on him, and we hugged and just started jumping up and down like two little kids and then I lifted my mom up off the ground and we were all just on cloud nine for the rest of the night.”

Santa Anita’s “Derby Owner for the Day” contest , who coincidentally, is a lifelong friend of O’Neill.

“This is wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Verge said.  “We’re so happy for Greg and we hope he follows I’ll Have Another in his next race, the Preakness Stakes, on May 19.  Our ‘Derby Owner’ contest couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Doug’s a great friend, but more importantly, it’s great to have a Southern California-based horse win the Derby and be in the national spotlight."

Politano said he intends to put his money in the bank and "try not to blow it."

That's not to say he doesn't plan to have a little fun with it.

"My mom and dad were so instrumental in me entering in the contest and winning it, so I’m going to take them on a vacation to Hawaii when the time is right.”

I’ll Have Another became the 16th horse to exit the Santa Anita Derby and win Churchill Downs’ Run for the Roses.  He became the first Santa Anita Derby winner since Sunday Silence in 1989 to win the Kentucky Derby.

Live racing will return to Santa Anita in late September, as will highlight the Autumn Meet on Nov. 2 and 3.