Fall River Man Owns Horse Racing For Kentucky Derby Spot

A Fall River man is living out a dream that would blow the minds of most horse racing fans. Brian Couto, born and raised in downtown Fall River, owns a 10 percent share of an up-and-coming racehorse named Ace’s Honor, who has earned the chance to compete this weekend in a Kentucky Derby qualifying race.

From Belmont Stakes Fan to Horse Owner

Couto’s journey into horse ownership began simply as a fan. He attended his first Belmont Stakes a few years ago for a bachelor party and quickly became hooked on the sport. What started as an annual tradition with friends soon turned into Couto doing some online research about how to buy a race horse.

Couto discovered a Kentucky-based company called Pocket Aces Racing, which offers the public a chance to purchase micro shares in racehorses. He initially bought a small percentage in a horse and began learning everything he could about bloodlines and racing.

Eventually, Couto took a bigger leap, investing $4,000 for a 10 percent stake in a young horse that had not even been named yet. That horse would become Ace’s Honor.

It's All in the Name

"It's funny, I own a business and my partner's last name is Amaral and I'm Couto. We named it Amaral Couto Enterprise...or 'Ace.' Now, the horse's name is Aces Honor. It was meant to be," he said.

Ace’s Honor Quickly Becoming a Contender

Ace’s Honor, born and trained in Kentucky, has already delivered impressive results. The horse’s first victory earned a $55,000 purse, immediately covering Couto’s investment. More recently, Ace’s Honor won another race with a $100,000 prize.

Now, the stakes are even higher.

This weekend, Ace’s Honor will race in the John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. The race offers a $175,000 purse and valuable qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

If Ace’s Honor performs well, he could earn enough points to qualify for the most famous horse race in the world.

Representing Fall River on Horse Racing’s Biggest Stage

“I love Fall River,” Couto said. “It would be amazing to say Fall River has a Kentucky Derby horse.”

Couto will travel to Kentucky this weekend and meet Ace’s Honor in person for the first time before the race. For now, he is focused less on prize money and more on the possibility of watching his horse compete at Churchill Downs.

For a Fall River kid who once only dreamed of horse ownership, that possibility alone is already a victory.

Couto admitted he'll need to go shopping for clothes if Aces Honor races in the Kentucky Derby. "I have the owner's box on Saturday, so I'll be up there a little bit, but I definitely want to get down in the mud, too," he said. "If he makes it to the derby? I'll get a custom made suit."