Even if you are have a casual interest in The Kentucky Derby, you might want to tune in at 5:57 p.m., local time Saturday, when the 149th ‘Run for the Roses’ is held.

Jackson’s Mark Post is a co-owner of one of the entries – Mage – rhymes with page.

Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM – visited with Mark for a question and answer session.

Question: First, would you give us a little background information on yourself – Where are you originally from, family, education and career?

Answer: I was born and raised in a small town in South Dakota, Tyndall. It’s roughly the size of Medina. After graduating from South Dakota State University with a Child Development/family relations Liberal Arts degree, I served nine years in the U.S. Army (1976-1985).

I was a Captain in the Armor Officer branch, and served both overseas and in the States.

In 1985, I became an FBI Agent and served 23 years. I retired in 2008.

I was first assigned to Dyersburg, Tennessee, and later transferred to Jackson, where my family stayed while I was transferred to two other offices.

After I retired in 2008, I became the Safety Director for a large construction company for close to 12 years. I am totally retired now.

I am divorced, and have three grown sons – all of whom went to and graduated from the Jackson Public School system.

Andrew is my youngest and works for the U.S. Marshal’s office in Memphis. Christopher, is my middle son and is a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office in Chattanooga, and Jonathan is the oldest and is a Contracting Officer for GSA.

All three attended and graduated from UT Knoxville.

Question: When we caught up with you, you were at Churchill Downs in Louisville. You obviously have a love of Thoroughbred racing. How did you become interested in the Sport of Kings?

Answer: In 1976, while stationed at Ft. Knox, I came to Churchill Downs and just really enjoyed it. The horses were incredibly beautiful and of course, still are.

I followed it off and on over the years, but really got into it the year Justify won the Triple Crown in 2008.

I remember studying the horse in February 2018, and told a friend this horse is going to be special.

He never raced as a two-year-old and was undefeated when they retired him after the Belmont (Stakes).

I got to visit Justify when he came back to WinStar Farm in Kentucky. When they brought him out, I literally got goose bumps looking at this huge muscular Triple Crown winner. I got so interested in the horse racing industry and listened to all the Podcasts to learn as much as I could.

It’s a fascinating industry. I joined a thoroughbred racing syndicate “Stablemates” which was run by WinStar Farm.

We invested a certain amount of money which financed horses selected by WinStar, and we had the opportunity to go to races to watch them and meet several other very experienced horse owners. They are a great group and I learned so much.

Question: We understand you are a co-owner of Mage, an entry in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Would you tell us how this came about?

Answer: After WinStar decided to end the Stablemates Syndicate, I was referred to another syndicate by the name Commonwealth.

I joined the group and they would purchase shares of young horses at the sales with other investors and then offer them to the group to purchase shares of the horse.

I have purchased shares in nine horses to date. Last year, I had a horse, We The People (WTP) that ran in the Belmont Stakes. I met other owners of WTP such as Bobby Flay (chef) who was extremely nice.

WTP placed fourth in the Belmont. Anyway, I tell you that because WTP raced his first three races at Oaklawn, in Hot Springs (Ark.), and did very well.

I met a lot of other owners, and when I was there one weekend Mage was advertised by the group to purchase shares. I really wasn’t too sure about him because he never raced as a two- year-old and his trainer was from overseas.

I asked the wife of a jockey at Oaklawn about the horse and she looked at data and background on him and thought it would be a good investment.

Based on her recommendations, I decided to buy shares in the horse. I’ve been to all of his races (3) at Gulfstream in Florida.

Remember, he never raced as a two-year-old, and I was told he was too “head strong” so they had to work with him. His first race he won was late January and his time was so fast everyone said he was going to be special – and he really is special.

He lost to Forte (Derby favorite 3/1 odds) by a length in the Florida Derby, coming closest to beating Forte than any other horse. NOTE: Derby odds on Mage are 15-1.

Question: How involved with the day-to-day operation of Mage are you?

Answer: I am not involved at all in the day to day operations. The principal owner who also happens to be the trainer, Gustavo Delgado Sr., from Venezuela, is the day-to-day operations manager/trainer.

If I have a question, I go through our syndicate to get the information. If I want to watch him train, I just let them know and attend any training sessions. If I want to attend any of their races, I am given tickets to attend.

The other owners and Mr. Delgado are extremely nice and very personable. They always make themselves available when time permits.

Question: What is it like to not only attend the Derby, but to have a horse in the field?

Answer: Obviously, the Derby is really an extraordinary event. ‘The fastest two minutes in sports.’ It is just an incredible feeling and really a dream come true.

I never thought in my wildest dreams this would happen. Just watching a horse that you have ownership in cross the finish line in first place is really thrilling.

When they told us we were going to (run) the Derby, I just really got chills. Whoever thought as a kid growing up and watching it every year – some day I would have ownership in a horse running in the Derby.

Again, ‘the fastest two minutes in sports’ says it all. Even more special is the Derby is celebrating 50th anniversary of Secretariat (1973 Triple Crown Winner).

There are over 9,000 stallions sold at the yearly sale. Only 1/20th will race in the Kentucky Derby. That really puts it in perspective.

Sadly, with all the thrills of the sport, it is still a very dangerous profession. Not only for the jockeys, but also the horses. I saw a horse clip the heel of another horse while racing Tuesday and he fell to the ground.

When the ambulance came out, they put a curtain up between the crowd and the horse. This means they had to euthanize the horse.

Thankfully, the jockey was OK, but that really put it all in perspective.

(PHOTO: Jackson’s Mark Post co-owns Kentucky Derby entry Mage)