Season 2 of “Stake in Stardom,” the America’s Best Racing initiative in which brand ambassadors become minority stake owners in an elite Thoroughbred, is underway. This year’s roster includes a few familiar faces from last season in addition to several new personalities eager to experience the sport and lifestyle of horse racing up close.

In order to get to know these owners a little better, we spoke with each of them individually to hear, firsthand, what it is they’re expecting from this season. Find out what NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport has to say about having a “Stake in Stardom.”

Welcome to Thoroughbred racing. You are officially a co-owner in three racehorses (Parnac, Cagliostro, and Jace’s Road), thanks to Terry Finley and West Point Thoroughbreds. What are you looking forward to most about being a racehorse owner?

Thanks! We’re so, so excited for this. We’ve been casual fans for about four years now, but this feels like so much more. Rather than them, it’s an ‘us’ now. Literally taking ownership. We’ve always felt connected to horses we like, but this connection feels much deeper.

You’ve attended the Kentucky Derby before, but this year, your horse, Jace’s Road, is on the path to the Kentucky Derby! What are you most looking forward to about Derby day?

Oh man, we couldn’t believe it watching him fly out of the starting gate (nearly breaking the gate itself) in Louisiana. You could tell he was something special. So … yeah. This changes things. The Derby is always the best, our favorite weekend of the year. But to have our own horse likely running in it is wild. We always root for our favorites, but now we’ll really have our horse in it. The buildup, which is my favorite part, will be so much more intense. And man, imagine if he goes off and places. I just can’t even imagine.

Recently, you flew down to Florida with another Stake in Stardom co-owner, Lindsay Czarniak, to meet your horse Parnac. What was that experience like?

That was so cool!! The horses were beautiful, and meeting Parnac was pretty special. She was so pretty! I can’t say she was that excited to meet me however [chuckles]. But she no doubt had her mind on more important things. I really enjoyed the education that Lindsay and I received, as both of us are relative newbies. We wanted to know it all and asked a million questions and left more educated fans. It was also impressive to see how incredibly well the horses are treated. Such great care.

What excites you the most about Thoroughbred horse racing?

There is so much to like. The obvious of course – the beauty and pure athleticism of the horses is truly incredible. That never gets old. I like the festive atmosphere, the feeling of a big event, the wait for the start, and the tension around it. Plus the fashion! All of it. But I also love the anatomy and psychology of racing. Who goes first, who is waiting in the wings, how the race goes off, all of it. I love it all.

What is your favorite memory from one of the past horse races you’ve attended?

Of all the things I have loved about horse race experience, two stand out. One, the first time my wife and I went to the Derby, it was a bucket-list trip. Our 10-year anniversary and it was a BLAST. Won’t forget us turning to each other on the plane right back and saying almost at the same time … “Every year?” And then last year at the Derby, we’re in a finish line suite. And as the horses passed us, I’ll never forget seeing a red blur absolutely fly by us at a speed I’ve never seen. We were like, “Who is the 21?” Rich Strike was amazing. And I’ll always remember that.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about the sport as you’ve become more involved?

I don’t know that there’s anything surprising. But I’ve been intrigued at how sprawling the sport is. It’s so big, so international, with so many horses and such a far reach. That’s been cool. Plus, so many people in my world – the NFL world – love it, too. There is significant crossover, and I find myself in conversation with GMs and coaches about horses all the time. And I appreciate how well the horses are treated.

Courtesy of Ian Rapoport

How does attending a horse race compare to other live events (e.g., other sports, concerts)?

There really isn’t much to compare it to. It’s a combination of big-time events like the Super Bowl or the Final Four, mixed with a costume party, mixed with a cocktail hour, mixed with a visit to a horse barn, mixed with the most intense, high-stakes sporting moment you can imagine. There are lulls and then dramatic crescendos. It’s all so cool, and I wasn’t prepared for the various parts of it, which is why maybe I love it so much. I got so wrapped up so quickly and wanted to know more.

What tips do you have for first-time racegoers?

I am no expert, so I'm not sure I should be the one offering tips. But since you asked … Get a guy. In other words, get someone who knows more than you and listen to that person. If this isn’t your world, find someone whose world it is and lean on that person for advice. What else? How about … make sure your suit matches your wife’s dress or vice versa, since photography is a dominant part in all of this. Pace yourself! It’s a long day. Don’t be drunk by noon! And read beforehand. The literature is actually great and simple for non-experts. Race day books and whatnot. So check those out.

What do you think your followers will enjoy most about your horse racing experience?

I don’t know how many of my followers have been to a horse race, but I know before I had ever gone, I had no understanding of the world at all. So that’ll be a really cool thing, just giving many of them a look at a sport and sporting event they hadn’t previously seen. I am excited for that. And I figure, if I can get unsuspectingly wrapped up into it, maybe others can as well. Plus, the horses are so amazing. Few people get to see that up close.

Where can people follow you on social media to join you on your horse racing adventures?

Oh, I’m all over social media [laughs]. Twitter and Instagram are both, @RapSheet. And as always, I’ll be posting all of the fun behind the scenes action right there. So, so, so, so pumped to take everyone inside.