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.
When Vera Tune set out to find her next horse, she was focused on finding a partner for Dressage — one with a good brain, safe in and out of tack, one who moved well, and one she could depend on.
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.
My love of Thoroughbreds began the way many of ours did — when it came time for my first horse, it was simply what my father could afford. However, I don’t think anyone could have predicted then how much that gangly 3-year-old, just two weeks off the track, would foster my love for the breed, and ultimately shape my future career. Sure, I’ve tried a few “grown-up” jobs here and there, but I always came back to the horses.
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.
