WDRB Sports Journalist. Writer. Photographer.
For the second time in six weeks, I found myself at Churchill Downs, taking pictures of a sign being changed on Thursday afternoon. The maneuver was pretty simple. It happens every year. Churchill Downs adjusts its sign between the iconic Twin Spires to reflect the year and the running of the Kentucky Derby, in this…
Photos from the first Kentucky Derby Day since 1945 that did not feature a race at historic Churchill Downs. See more images by clicking here.
Derby week is here. The Kentucky Derby is not. In the parlance of the sport, days on which a track holds no horse racing traditionally are called “dark days.” At Churchill Downs, and all over the Derby city, these are dark days indeed. A ban on mass gatherings because of the novel coronavirus that has…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. The public seems ready to let the controversial Kentucky Derby finish gallop on out. The sport itself, however, seems intent on going to the whip. Nine days after his colt, Maximum Security, was disqualified and placed 17th after crossing the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby, co-owner Gary West is vowing to…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Jockey Jon Court knew he was going to make Kentucky Derby history as he entered the starting gate aboard Long Range Toddy on Saturday at Churchill Downs, the oldest man ever to ride in the 145-year-history of the event. But the kind of history the 58-year-old helped to make afterward is enough to…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. A great many things have been written and said about John Asher approaching this first Kentucky Derby since his death last August. I’ve struggled with what to say until today, when I got an assist from Churchill Downs and its president, Kevin Flanery. My last assignment before hitting the road to cover the…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Kentucky Derby is over, and nobody is happy. Not the large and rain-soaked Churchill Downs crowd of 150,729, many of whom booed loudly when the final result was made official. Not the backers and connections of Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first to appear to become the 10th unbeaten Derby…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Trainer Richard Mandella sat in his hotel room Wednesday evening, and he knew it was over. His colt, Omaha Beach, who had earned the status of Kentucky Derby favorite and trained so beautifully since arriving at Churchill Downs 10 days before, would not be able to run in the world’s most famous race….
Justify became the second Triple Crown winner in four years — after a 34-year drought.
Remembering the life, and death, of John Asher, Kentucky Derby ambassador.