MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs

Bill Mott is 1 of the greatest American Thoroughbred horse trainers of the modern era — a Hall of Famer, multiple Eclipse Award winner, and the trainer of some truly elite racehorses. He was born July 29, 1953, in Mobridge, South Dakota, and got started absurdly young: one of his early wins came at age 16 with a horse named Kosmic Tour. He later worked under Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, the...

Brad H. Cox is one of the leading American Thoroughbred racehorse trainers, based in Kentucky & strongly associated with Churchill Downs. A Louisville native, he grew up near Churchill Downs & worked his way up from the racetrack and backstretch, including time with trainers Burk Kessinger & Jimmy Baker, and later as an assistant to Dallas Stewart. His national profile exploded in the late 2010s a...

Bill Carstanjen—Formally known as William C. Carstanjen—is the Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs Inc., the Louisville-based public company behind Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby, & a broader portfolio of racing, gaming, and entertainment assets. He was named CEO of Churchill Downs Inc. in August 2014 & appointed to the co.'s Board of Directors in July 2015. Before becoming CEO, he ser...

Kirt Jacobs chats with Travis Stone, the voice of Churchill Dns. They discuss this year's highly competitive KY Derby, noting it's Stone's 12th time calling the prominent horse race. This interview offers a direct look into the excitement & challenges in thoroughbred racing.

Morgan McGarvey, born December 23, 1979, in Louisville, Kentucky, comes from a family rooted in public service. Influenced by his father, attorney and former Jeffersontown city attorney John McGarvey, he developed an early interest in law and governance. After graduating from DuPont Manual High School, he earned a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from the Universi...

Mike Tomes, inadvertently, and one could say by sheer karma, became MoxieTalk's quincentenary (500th) guest in our series! is a fashion-forward style influencer based in Louisville, Kentucky, who frequently describes himself as a "dabbler in fashion, travel, marketing, and events", positioning himself clearly in the style and lifestyle influencer space, and he consistently shares bold and expressi...

Host Kirt Jacobs catches up with a lucky lottery winner at the First Turn Club during the annual derby party at Churchill Downs. She's attending her first horse-racing event and is all dressed up for the occasion, representing Southern living with style!

Host Kirt Jacobs catches up with Mark Simms at Churchill Downs, diving into the vibrant world of Derby fashion. Mark shares his love for colorful hats and his unique custom outfits, making every year a lively derby party event! It's all about what to wear and how to dress up for this iconic horse racing event!

Join host KIrt Jacobs at historic Churchill Downs on a soggy Derby Day for some engaging interviews! We chat with a stylish couple from Lexington, Kentucky, who have attended their 17th horse race, sharing their favorite Derby drinks and horse picks. This segment captures the lively atmosphere and unique traditions of horse racing at Churchill Downs.

We're live when we talk with Ann from Churchill Downs on a rainy Kentucky Derby day, capturing all the excitement and derby highlights! Join us as we experience the run for the roses, where the tradition of horse racing and the vibrant fashion of dress-up and sun hats truly make the event special!

Liam Gallagher is a Kentucky-based political strategist and policy advocate currently serving as  Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity (AFP) – Kentucky . Representing a new generation of leadership in the Commonwealth, Gallagher operates at the intersection of grassroots mobilization, legislative strategy, and public policy development. While not a traditional public-facing political...

Patriarch of the Uffer tribe (in red jacket) is Mr. Robert ("Bob") Uffer — Hospitality / Liberty Island Operations. In this MoxieTalk, Bob has brought his 2 sons (Harrison & Jordan) and their ladies to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs racetrack! From Left to Right is: Anika Nichlany, Harrison Uffer, Host Kirt Jacobs, Jordan Uffer, Bob Uffer, and Marissa Iacona Bob is a ho...

osh Alcott is a private individual who attended  the 151st Kentucky Derby  on  May 3, 2025,  at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is broadcast nationally and includes the usual pageantry, fashion, and individual spectators known for distinctive attire. Josh Alcott, aka "The Mad Hatter," refers to his attire or persona at the running of the 151st Kentucky Derby, due to his "outrageous" Ky...

Allie and Micah are a private couple from Bend, Oregon, attending the 151st Kentucky Derby. Featured briefly on MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs due to their highly imaginative and whimsical Derby attire This is precisely the type of authentic, unscripted Derby color that has long made Churchill Downs culturally unique—especially in milestone runnings.

Alma Oralia Minerva Cooper (born March 17, 2002, in Okemos, Michigan) is a distinguished American soldier, scholar, and beauty queen whose career spans the intersecting worlds of military service, mathematics, and public representation. The daughter of a retired U.S. Army major and a Mexican immigrant mother who once competed in pageants herself, Cooper identifies as African American Latina and em...

Beard fame: A Cincinnati roofer turned local icon, Garey gained widespread attention for his award-winning full beard, which became a fixture at Cincinnati Bengals games. He has been featured in New Era ads and recognized globally as the "Beard Guy." Achievements: Won the Full Beard Freestyle category at the National Beard & Mustache Championships. Placed third at the 2019 World Beard & Mustache C...

Abbie Stockard, who was crowned Miss America 2025 on January 5, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, is a 22-year-old nursing student at Auburn University in Alabama. At just 22 years old, she has already distinguished herself as a role model of resilience, service, and leadership, becoming only the  4th woman from Alabama  to hold the crown. Born on July 26, 2002, and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Abbie i...

Good times and priceless moments with the personalities that made up the "sea of Humanity" that made for a very festive crowd on a very WET Kentucky Derby 151! This time we cross paths with the one and only Bruce Asmussen-aka-"THE PBR PATRIOT".

Soozie is a film director, producer, & environmental advocate based in Louisville, Kentucky. She is notably recognized for her work in documentary filmmaking, with a focus on environmental and health-related topics. Critical aspects of Soozie Eastman's career and contributions include: Documentary Filmmaking : Eastman has produced and directed documentary films that often highlight environmental a...

🏆 Career Achievements Kentucky Derby Winner  7 times  (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2023) – though the 2021 victory with  Medina Spirit  was later disqualified. Preakness Stakes Winner  8 times  (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2023). Belmont Stakes Winner  3 times  (2001, 2015, 2018). Triple Crown Victories American Pharaoh (2015)  ended a 37-year drought, the first Triple Crown...

On May 17, 2025, Umberto Rispoli didn't just win a horse race; he galloped into the history books. With a masterful and gutsy ride aboard the formidable colt Journalism, he conquered the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first Italian jockey ever to win a jewel of the American Triple Crown. It was a moment that solidified his place among the world's elite riders and marked the pinnacle of a journey t...

What does it take to spot a diamond in the rough? In this episode, we chart the incredible career of trainer and bloodstock agent Kenny McPeek, a man whose legacy is built on skill, persistence, and an unparalleled eye for equine talent. Born at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, but a true son of Lexington, Kentucky, Kenny McPeek has racing in his blood. Since earning his license in 1985, he has meticulousl...

In the world of American Thoroughbred racing, few names carry as much weight as Steve Asmussen. Born into a horse-racing dynasty in Gettysburg, South Dakota, his path seemed destined for the racetrack. With a trainer for a father and a mother also deeply involved with horses, the sport is in his blood. His brother, Cash Asmussen, found international fame as a jockey, and Steve himself had a brief...

Chapel Tinius was Miss Kentucky 2024, a title she earned on June 15, 2024, at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A Bowling Green native and a graduate of Belmont University, where she earned dual degrees in Musical Theatre & Corporate Communications in 2022. ​ Community Service Initiative: Tinius's community service initiative, "Operation Gratitude: F...