Big and small - all of us have dreams. Most of us realize some of the small ones, but unlike Robert and Verna Lehmann, few of us live out the really big ones – like winning a Kentucky Derby! Born in Risingsun in 1921, Robert Lehmann was a building contractor, who constructed many of Fremont’s businesses, including Kroger’s and Buckeye Mart. He later built office buildings and hotels in Clearwater, Florida.

In the mid-60s, the Lehmanns moved to Paris, Kentucky, where they developed Golden Chance Farm. Establishing themselves in the thoroughbred racing community, the Lehmanns owned some 30 brood mares and two dozen race horses. Among them was a little chestnut named Dust Commander. Purchased at a yearling sale for a mere $6,500, he was the son of Bold Commander and the grandson of the great Bold Ruler. Despite his fine breeding, no one except Don Combs, the Lehmanns’ novice horse trainer, considered the little colt a Derby contender.

In 1970, while Robert Lehmann was off in the Himalayan foothills living out another dream – that of big game hunter, Verna and Combs entered Dust Commander in the Blue Grass Stakes, the Derby prep race. With veteran jockey Mike Manganello onboard and a sloppy track under hoof, Dust Commander took the rail and held it. By the home stretch, the Commander had worn down the leader and brought home the victory for the Lehmanns.

Verna cabled the good news to her husband in Nepal and then waited anxiously for the okay to enter Dust Commander in the Kentucky Derby. Two days passed before Robert telephoned. He had never received the cable - but he had bagged the tiger! Verna and Combs set out for Churchill Downs, where Dust Commander would face a field of 16. Combs wasn’t worried. He knew the Commander’s small stature would give him an advantage when it came to maneuverability. And the thoroughbred already had proven he could handle the distance.

Still filled with the excitement of the hunt, Robert arrived in Louisville only 24 hours before post time. Despite his Blue Grass victory 9 days earlier, Dust Commander was given almost no chance of becoming the next Kentucky Derby winner. The little chestnut would leave the gate at 15 to 1 odds. It mattered little to Robert; horseracing had a lot to do with luck. And Robert believed in luck! Since the age of 7, he had carried his luck in his pocket every day of his life - a rosary given to him by his grandmother at his first communion.

Using that luck and good judgment, Manganello hugged the rail and settled into7^th place, allowing the sprinters to make their dash. As Combs predicted, Dust Commander maneuvered for position with ease. Then turning for home and the long stretch, the Commander "with an abrupt and amazing burst of acceleration" went for the outside, charging past three horses. All that remained was to chase down one final horse. It was no contest. Leading by five lengths, Dust Commander sailed across the finish line, giving the Lehmanns the most coveted prize in thoroughbred racing – a Kentucky Derby win!

Watch Dust Commander’s 1970 Run for the Roses on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbLfLsTr3s . And, next month, read more about Dust Commander’s life.