Inside the Kentucky Derby

With a few days out to the running of the 149th Kentucky Derby we needed some insight from someone who has experience in the Kentucky Derby. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on Hall of Fame Jockey and NBC Analyst, Jerry Bailey to talk about his experience with the Kentucky Derby. Jerry is considered one of the greatest jockeys racking up thousands of wins in his career including memorable rides...

We are just over a week out from the running of the 149th Kentucky Derby. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on two legendary trainers Wayne Lukas and Todd Pletcher to talk about their experience with the Kentucky Derby. Wayne does not have any horses in this year’s Kentucky Derby but recalls some historic races and horses he’s trained. They discuss their history working with Derby horses and how...

Joining the show today is Gary Yunt who has been a part of the Churchill Downs communication staff since 1979. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on Gary to talk about stories from the Kentucky Derby which he’s attended for 57 years. He highlights his career covering the Kentucky Derby and some of his favorite derby moments. Gary has a rich history of interactions with horses, owners, and trainer...

Joining the show today is the unofficial mayor of the backside of Churchill Downs, Backside Security Coordinator Bill Vest. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on Bill to talk about his work and go behind the scenes to talk about his role at the track. He also highlights some moments in his career in horse racing working for different barns to the Kentucky Derby. Bill is a wealth of knowledge and...

Horses are back here at Churchill Downs preparing for the first Saturday in May. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on trainer Brad Cox to talk about his work, training three horses who have made the cut for the 149th Kentucky Derby.  He breakdowns what he’s seen in his horses Angel of Empire, Hit Show, Verifying and Jace’s Road who is on final draw bubble. Brad also discusses the horses he is tr...

“Be present, keep it close, and remember to breathe.” Hear from the person behind the iconic call to the post at Churchill Downs Racetrack Bugler, Steve Buttleman. On today’s show Darren and KK bring on Steve to talk about his work and go behind the scenes to talk about some iconic moments in Steve’s career. He also highlights some of his favorite derby moments and behind the scenes details of wha...

The Road to the Kentucky Derby races have ended and the leaderboard for Derby 149 is set! Darren and KK are joined by Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone to breakdown the action from the Lexington Stakes and results from the final race during the prep race season. The group analyzes what is to come following the prep races and the lead up to the derby. They also analyze the field to give...

One last race remains on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a potential contender looking to use the race to break into the Derby 149 field. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Lexington Stakes taking place this weekend. They breakdown the field from a points perspective on the Road to the Derby and from a handicapping standpoint. They also highlight some of the horses who could look use th...

After a tense weekend of photo finish races, the final batch of 100 point qualifying races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby have punched the Derby ticket of a number of horses. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Blue Grass, Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s championship series races. With these final major points races now conclu...

Three major points races remain on the Road to the Kentucky Derby that will give derby contenders an opportunity to enter the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Blue Grass, Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby taking place this weekend. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149 campaign. They also h...

Forte is, once again, back on top of the leaderboard after a difficult trip around Gulfstream Park in the Florida Derby. Darren & KK break down the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby where Angel of Empire won at Oaklawn Park for Brad Cox. With the gutsy victory in the Florida Derby, Forte has established himself as the early Kentucky Derby favorite. Darren and KK also discuss some of their f...

While horses make their way back to Churchill Downs, a few more major stakes races are taking place around the country and overseas that could lead to derby contenders. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, as well as the Cardinal Condition Stakes taking place in England this weekend. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards...

A number of impactful races took place this past weekend that have punched a few horses’ derby tickets. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Sunland Derby as well as UAE Derby and Fukuryu on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races. With about 6 weeks remaining until the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby the field...

After a week off from stakes races, things heat up this weekend with major races taking place around the globe. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Louisiana Derby, Jeff Ruby Stakes, Sunland Derby as well as UAE Derby and Fukuryu taking place overseas this weekend. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149 campaign. Darren and KK also discuss...

Tapit Trice jumps to sixth overall on the Road to the Derby leaderboard with a win at Tampa Bay Downs. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Tampa Bay Derby on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races. They also breakdown the recent completion of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5.  Inside the Kentucky Derby is your home for exciting news, stories...

Capping off the first part of the Championship Series, the Tampa Bay Derby offers 50 points to the winner, putting them in a good spot for the Kentucky Derby starting gate. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Tampa Bay Derby, the next race in the Championship Series on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149...

After a weekend full of great stakes races, Forte stands above the pack as he reclaimed the top spot on the Road to the Derby leaderboard with a win at Gulfstream Park. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Fountain of Youth, Gotham, San Felipe, and John Battaglia Memorial on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races.  Inside the Kentucky Derby is your...

With a jammed packed weekend full of major stakes races along the Road to the Kentucky Derby, contenders will look to make their stamp on the Derby 149 field. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Fountain of Youth, Gotham, San Felipe, and John Battaglia Memorial taking place all across the country this weekend. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their...

Confidence Game jumps to the top of the Road to the Derby leaderboard with a win at Oaklawn. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Rebel on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races. They also discuss some recent news surrounding other top contenders who have won prep races such as Forte and where we might see them next in the championship series. Insid...

$1 million and 50 qualifying points towards Derby 149 are on the line this weekend at Oaklawn Park. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the Rebel, the next race in the Championship Series on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149 campaign. Darren and KK also talk about other races they are keeping an eye on this...

Angel of Empire is new points leader on the Road to the Derby with a win at Fair Grounds. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Risen Star on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races. This weekend left the guys with more questions than answers when it comes to the derby contenders, but they discuss the lessons they learned and what to expect moving for...

Fair Grounds in New Orleans will be the proving ground for the 14-horse field in the Risen Star this weekend. On today’s show Darren and KK preview the first major stakes race in the Championship Series on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. They breakdown the field of contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149 campaign. Darren and KK also talk about other races they are keeping a...

After a big weekend of prep races, we have a number of new names and faces shaking up the Road to the Derby leaderboard. Darren and KK breakdown the action from the Withers, Sam F. Davis and El Camino Real Derby on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races.  Inside the Kentucky Derby is your home for exciting news, stories and insights from the people inside...

There is a Trifecta of prep races this weekend across the country with the Withers, Sam F. Davis Stakes, and El Camino Real Derby. On today’s show Darren and KK are joined by Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone to preview the stakes races and highlight the contenders who could look to add points towards their Derby 149 campaign. They talk the process of calling races with Travis and none...

3-2-1 Blast Off! Rocket Can successfully launched up the leaderboard after a victory in the Holy Bull stakes this past weekend. Darren and KK breakdown the action from Gulfstream Park on today’s show and what they saw from contenders in this past weekend’s prep races. They also cover some updates from around stakes races around the country including the Robert B. Lewis stakes where the horses in t...