The block R will be represented in the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday evening.
OK, so maybe it's not exactly the Rutgers block R that Scarlet Knights fans have come to love.
But International Star is expected to take to the Churchill Downs track wearing a red mask with a white R set in the middle that is similar to the Rutgers "Block R'' that has become the official spirit mark of the Scarlet Knights' program.
Ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, International Star has won his last four races and was listed as 20-1 on the morning-line odds following the Kentucky Derby post draw Wednesday night.
Aside from the similarity of their block R symbols, there are no other known links between Rutgers and the Mike Maker-trained horse.
While Maker grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey are natives of Artemus, Ky., according to International Star's KentuckyDerby.com profile.
International Star was bred in New York before moving to Chanceland Farm near West Friendship, Md., as a three-month old. He remained there until he was sold for $85,000 at a yearlings sale, according KentuckyDerby.com.
Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.