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Well, it’s official. I will have some decisions to make as to who my Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover competitor will be! Or, for the first time ever, will I take more than one? As a professional in this business, I never know what horses will come my way, and when it comes to the Makeover in particular, obviously eligibility plays a large role, but so does a horse’s physical and mental acuity to be able to progress in the given timeframe. So how do we know?

If you’re heading to the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, get ready for an experience like no other! Whether it’s your first time at Churchill Downs or you’re a seasoned Derby-goer, there’s always something new to learn. From essential planning tips to insider secrets, here are the top nine things to know before you attend America’s most iconic horse race.

1. Get to know who’s running in the big race.

Headlights On, a chestnut gelding born in April 2019, never raced but found a new purpose through the Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation, where he arrived in September 2022. Bridgett Nicole and her family had been browsing the Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation website for several months when her youngest daughter, Aspyn, expressed a serious interest in adopting a horse of her own.

Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers and jockeys as they travel the Road to the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Attending the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve this year for the 151st edition of the race? Congratulations! You’re one of the lucky few (OK, thousands), but for those of us not attending this year’s running at Churchill Downs — this writer included — there is still plenty at stake and many avenues to pursue.

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