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.
As I pulled out of the Kentucky Horse Park last October after another successful Thoroughbred Makeover – ending in third place with Prince Loki in eventing – I looked over at my husband and swore I was going to take 2025 off. But as we all know, with horses that is rarely ever the case. I had no idea the phone call I would receive in a month would completely change my mind.
Growing up in Youngstown, a small village in upstate New York, Tanner Reisman spent more time among cows than horses. But he had a strong connection with his late grandmother, a Montana rancher, so there was ample opportunity for Reisman, who is now 23, to gain an appreciation for horses.
One of the most important, and exciting, weekends on the horse racing calendar every year is here, with two prestigious qualifying points races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve set for Saturday, March 29.
A featured ingredient of the famed mint julep, bourbon is as synonymous with Kentucky as horses. Both are key components of the Bluegrass State’s economy. Bourbon is a $9 billion industry, and the state is home to 100 distilleries owned by 84 companies producing 95% of the global bourbon supply. This golden spirit is powering an industry that employs more than 23,000 people, opening up opportunities for underrepresented populations to make their own mark on this uniquely American phenomenon.
