Rashard Lewis in the Kentucky Derby

ORLANDO -- Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis will have more than just basketball and a potential playoff Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers on his mind Saturday afternoon.

He now will have a horse in the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, a notion that had him smiling broadly and shaking his head in amazement Tuesday morning. The Magic and Sixers, knotted at 2-2, play Game 5 Tuesday night in Orlando.

Lewis is a major stakeholder in Join in the Dance, which was added to the Derby field earlier this week after the late scratch by Quality Road.

"We may be a long shot to win it [the Derby], but we're in and we have chance,'' Lewis said. "What's amazing is that some people in the horse racing business can go all their lives and never get into the Derby. I've only been involved two years and I'm already in.''

Lewis, who never has been to the Kentucky Derby, is hoping the Magic can end the playoff series in six games, giving him all day Saturday to enjoy horse racing. If a Game 7 is necessary, it will be played Saturday, possibly at the same time as the Derby.

One of his childhood friends and now a business partner got him involved in the horse racing industry. They purchased Join in the Dance for $250,000 more than a year ago. They have three horses in their stable.

"I said 'why not?' I can't ride them, but it's been a lot of fun. It's a hobby, but it's also an investment,'' he said. "After he won his first race, we were offered a million dollars for the horse, but we said no.''

If the Magic don't play Saturday, Lewis said he may be tempted to take a quick trip to Louisville for the Derby, but he doesn't think it will happen.

"I'll probably just be at home having a great time watching it on television,'' he said. "But I don't know. Saturday could be a real exciting day for me.''

Kentucky Derby Photos

Kentucky Derby hopeful "Mine That Bird" gets a bath from exercise rider Charlie Figueroa after an early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING ANIMALS)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Friesan Fire" gallops on the track with trainer Larry Jones during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING)

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Trainer Bennie Woolley (L) and owner Mark Allen watch Kentucky Derby hopeful "Mine That Bird" on the track during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING)

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Trainer Bennie Woolley watches his horse Kentucky Derby hopeful "Mine That Bird" during his bath after his early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Mine That Bird" is seen after his early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING ANIMALS)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Mine That Bird" gallops with exercise rider Charlie Figueroa during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING ANIMALS)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "General Quarters" gallops with exercise rider Julie Sheets during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Atomic Rain" and trainer Kelly Breen wait to take the track for an early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING ANIMALS)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Dunkirk" is held by assistant trainer Mike McCarty during his bath after an early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING)

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Kentucky Derby hopeful "Dunkirk" gets a bath from groom Diedo Martinez after his early morning workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, April 29, 2009. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES SPORT HORSE RACING ANIMALS)

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