Can Soup and Sandwich be more than just a catchy name at the 2021 Kentucky Derby?

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

Search soup and sandwich on Google or any search engine, and chances are, it’ll show you the nearest Panera or a sandwich shop or top recipes for a soup and sandwich.

To learn more about Soup and Sandwich, a 3-year-old thoroughbred ranked 14th in the Kentucky Derby points standings with 40 points, you have to add another word or two, like Soup and Sandwich horse or Soup and Sandwich Kentucky Derby.

Owner Charlotte Colket Weber of Live Oak Plantation understands that. But if Soup and Sandwich overcomes the 30-1 odds and wins the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, local cafes just might take a back seat to the 3-year-old thoroughbred the next time you search for soup and sandwich on Google.

“We all go through the serious names and picking a name is really not an easy job,” Weber said. “It’s very challenging. I was thinking is that stupid and stupid stuck. And now stupid is good. Just took a shot. Thought it was fun and a little mischief.”

Soup and Sandwich, trained by Mark Casse, gets in his final workout before the Kentucky Derby on the track at Churchill Downs. April 23, 2021

 (Photo: Pat McDonogh / Courier Journal)

Weber, the granddaughter of Campbell Soup founder John T. Dorrance and a board trustee of Campbell Soup Company, has been incorporating the name “Soup” for a while now, which has helped people identify her horses. For instance, she has a 3-year-old filly, Souper Sensational, hoping to compete in the Kentucky Oaks.

More: What to know about the 2021 Kentucky Derby horse Soup and Sandwich

She even had a car license plate with “SOUPER” and was once asked about it by a police officer who thought Weber had misspelled the word.

“It’s cute. It’s catchy,” Weber said. “When they see it, they’ll remember it.”

It’s not just the name that’s been garnering attention. Soup and Sandwich isn’t lacking any momentum on the track, too, as he came to prominence after finishing runner-up in the Florida Derby last month. He also finished first at Tampa Bay Downs in February and at Gulfstream Park in January.

More: Meet the horses who will be running in the 147th Run for the Roses

Considering Soup and Sandwich didn’t race as a 2-year-old, the scene is set for him to make an even bigger splash on May 1.

“I was almost happy he didn’t win the Florida Derby because I think he does have a lot of raw talent,” she said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. People feel if I get this, that puts icing on the cake. I’d rather have the cake with less icing and look forward to building a stronger cake.”

Kentucky Derby hopeful Soup and Sandwich is bathed following a morning workout on the backside of Churchill Downs. April 23, 2020

 (Photo: Pat McDonogh / Courier Journal)

Weber is hoping for a splash too as he is the fifth thoroughbred to qualify for the Kentucky Derby from Live Oak Plantation. The first four are Laser Light (1982), High Fly (2005), Brilliant Speed (2011) and Win Win Win (2019).

Churchill Downs Spring Meet schedule: What to know about Derby Week, post times, tickets

Having heard only good news from trainer Mark Casse and jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who are all seeking their first top finish at the Kentucky Derby, during training, Weber is optimistic.

“Everybody’s very comfortable and very confident and very excited,” she said. “I think we’ll have a good fanbase.”

But she was quick to note that having a week before the Run for the Roses isn’t a short time at all. Soup and Sandwich may not have the best odds but what may happen between now and May 1 and on the Kentucky Derby is up in the air. And she wants people to remember her horse for his performance, not just as a catchy name.

“It’s a very long time in a life of a racehorse when you’re hoping to go to the post,” she said. “There’s a lot of anxiety, a lot of excitement. We’ve been living a whole year of uncertainty. It’s hard to be so optimistic that you’re not realistic.”

Reach David J. Kim at DKim@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @_DavidJKim.