As written in 2016 for the book “Old and New Friends,” published by DRF Press. Wes Lanter is no longer with the Kentucky Horse Park. Hall of Champions manager Wes Lanter wasn’t sure what to expect when Go for Gin first arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2011. The 1994 Kentucky Derby winner was 20 and, no doubt, very much a stallion. He was known for being difficult at times, and his sire – Cormorant – was legendary for the same. The barn in which Go for Gin was to reside was mare-free, but nearby barns weren’t. Some show mares were even tied to fences near Go for Gin’s paddock on occasion. He noticed. “When he came to us, he was so strong,” Lanter said of the country’s oldest Derby winner. “He didn’t mean to be a bully – he still doesn’t – but he’s just so strong. It took a while to get used to him.” It also took a while for Go for Gin to realize those nearby mares weren’t his. He’d sired more than 400 foals, after all – which meant lots of visits with lots of mares. Go for Gin entered stud with an unusual pedigree, free of Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector, or Seattle Slew blood. His dam, Never Knock, was by Stage Door Johnny, and his half-brother Pleasant Tap was the 1992 champion older male. Go for Gin had won the Kentucky Derby and Remsen and placed second in both the Preakness and Belmont. His overall record – 19-5-7-2 for earnings of $1,380,866 – was solid. Go for Gin’s first crop included Albert the Great, by far his most successful offspring, who won the 2000 Jockey Club Gold Cup and earned just more than $3 million. But overall, in 16 years at stud, it’s fair to say Go for Gin didn’t exactly set the world ablaze as a sire. :: Shop DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, Digital Paper, Picks and more Go for Gin shifted from Kentucky’s Claiborne Farm to Maryland’s Bonita Farm for a few years before moving to the Horse Park. He’s the third Kentucky Derby winner to reside there. Bold Forbes, who died in 2000, and current resident Funny Cide preceded him. Go for Gin is magnificent, with a broad jaw and finely tapered nose, brilliant eyes, a rich deep-bay coat and a well-balanced, medium-sized body. He can still be pushy, but those who work with him have grown to love him.  Lanter, who has worked with horses since 1981, adores him – and he’s no stranger to horses of quality, having worked with Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Storm Cat, and the Hall of Champions’ most famous resident, Cigar. Among the adjectives he uses to describe Go for Gin are observant, sweet, special, and smart. Go for Gin occasionally has special visitors who remember him from his racing days. Interestingly, he resides in the stall that once housed John Henry and then Alysheba – all of three of which were ridden by Chris McCarron. The staff calls it the “Chris McCarron stall.”  :: Bet the races online with DRF Bets. New members get $250 bonus Go for Gin has his little habits, of course. When his groom cleans his stall, Gin is put out into his paddock. Gin moseys around for a while, but he always senses when the groom is about to finish. He walks back up to the stall door and stands just outside, staring in.  “He’ saying, ‘Okay, c’mon, hurry up, finish it up, I wanna come back in,’ ” Lanter said. Anyone who works with horses knows they’re oral creatures, and the high-energy Go for Gin is especially so. Lanter uses an old trick they used on Seattle Slew to keep him occupied. Lanter slips his fingers into Gin’s mouth, onto the upper gums, then rubs back and forth. Gin instantly relaxes. One gets the feeling that, given the chance, he’d remain there all day. :: To stay up to date, follow DRF on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Go for Gin also is unusually observant, watching the days’ goings-on with keen interest. Little things like a passing four-horse hitch or a miniature horse gets him excited.     Not as excited as when Horse Park visitors tie their mares up too close to Go for Gin’s paddock, however. Then, the stallion remembers the old days. He rushes down to their corner of the paddock and puffs up, absolutely certain those mares are his. “Gin has gained the admiration of those who know him best,” Lanter said. “He is 25 now, and we hope to share many, many more days with him.” (This book story was written in 2016. Go for Gin has indeed been around for many, many days since.  The oldest living Kentucky Derby winner is now 29.)