Macalester alum will donate Kentucky Derby winnings

Paddy O'Prado
Exercise rider Jaustino Aguilar Takes Kentucky Derby hopeful Paddy O'Prado for a workout at Churchill Downs, Wednesday, April 28, 2010, in Louisville, Ky.
AP Photo/Morry Gash

A Macalester College alum whose co-owns a horse racing this Saturday in the Kentucky Derby said he plans to donate money to his alma mater if the colt wins.

Jerry Crawford, an attorney who lives in Des Moines, Iowa, will be wearing a blue and orange necktie -- Macalester's colors -- as he watches Paddy O'Prado during the race in Louisville.

Crawford said Macalester stands to receive "several hundred thousand dollars" if Paddy wins the race.

Paddy O'Prado will be one of 20 horses in the race. Crawford and his team drew the No. 10 slot, which means the horse will be right in the middle of the pack.

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The forecast on Saturday calls for rain, but Crawford said Paddy loves the mud.

"I know it wouldn't be the best thing for the spectators, but frankly come Saturday there's only one person I care about and that's my horse," he told MPR's Morning Edition.

Crawford said students at Macalester will be celebrating at Springfest, and that they'll have a chance to watch the race as part of the festivities on Saturday.

Crawford said Paddy has shown he can be a true competitor ever since February, when his owners noticed he had matured and become a different horse.

"He's gotten nothing but stronger and better since then," Crawford said.

(MPR's Cathy Wurzer contributed to this report.)