In Sunrise, Florida Sergei Bobrovsky is a two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion. In Saratoga, New York, Bobrovsky won the Skidmore Stakes. If you are confused, allow us to explain.
This "Bobrovsky" we're talking about isn’t a Russian hockey player. He’s not even human. He’s a racehorse.
Yes, there's a racehorse with the namesake of the Florida Panthers goaltender. That horse happened to win the nationally televised Skidmore Stakes horse race from Saratoga Race Track this past Saturday. The horses owners, Dale Roman and Steve Berg, confirmed the horse is in fact named after the Vezina-winning goalie. Roman specifically noted being inspired by a broadcaster say “nothing gets past Bobrovsky” after making a save. For all you gamblers reading this, a $2 bet to win on the horse would have paid out $9.40.
The owners nascent hockey fandom stems from their friendship with Panthers owner Vincent Viola. Viola is a fellow racehorse owner, so it’s mildly ironic somewhat beat him to naming a horse after one of his players. Viola and his wife have been in the horse racing business since the late 1990's and own St. Elias Stables and Teresa’s Viola Racing Stables.
Their horse, Always Dreaming, won the 2017 Kentucky Derby. Panthers players such as former Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau and Keith Yandle joined him at the 2018 Derby. That year, Viola’s horse Vino Russo finished ninth. Apparently the players didn’t bring the horse any luck.
The Violas had another horse in this past year's Derby which set up the possibility they could be celebrating a Stanley Cup and Derby win in the same year but their horse would finish ninth. With the Panthers repeating as champions, there's always another chance for a dual celebration next season.
It’s not the only time in recent memory a championship race horse has been named after an NHL star. Winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby “Nyquist” was named after Gustav Nyquist. One of the owners was J. Paul Redham, a Canadian businessman and hockey fan.
On the morning of the Derby, the horse was greeted with a special visit by the Stanley Cup (so yes, a race horse has seen the Stanley Cup more recently than the Toronto Maple Leafs). No word yet on if Sergei Bobrovsky will meet his neigh-saying (we what we did there) name twin. Also no word on if any horse owners want to name their next one after Matthew Tkachuk. If they do and he wins, maybe they could celebrate with the real Tkachuks just like they did with the cup at the Elbow Room.