Nimbly mounting United Arab Emirates Derby winner Wonder Dean, Takuya Nakano meets veteran Churchill Downs “pony boy” Mike Crowder and heads out to the track at Churchill for their early morning exercise.
The Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington, Ky., brings together the world’s top horse-and-rider combinations for one of upper-level eventing’s most demanding tests.
This year’s field reflected that level of competition, with the sport’s elite in attendance, including world No. 1 Harry Meade and world No. 2 Boyd Martin.
Erin Curley once thought the bright lights of Broadway were beckoning. Instead, she found a home beneath the iconic Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, where she has vast responsibilities as vice president of Kentucky Derby operations.
In recent years, Louisville has gone from having the reputation as a “hidden gem” on the dining and entertainment scene to being duly recognized as one of the best cities in the U.S. for unique restaurants and bars. Of course, the spotlight shines brightest on Kentucky’s biggest city during Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve week.
The biggest week on the North American horse racing calendar is here, and every major racing media outlet plus many general news organizations will be directing coverage at Churchill Downs every day leading up to the 152nd Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 2.
