WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:08.679 It's time for coffee and company, fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven nine 2 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:14.640 day. Now here's Nick Coffee, Well, not exactly Nick Coffee. I'm 3 00:00:14.640 --> 00:00:19.640 Scott Fitzgerild. Welcome back our special Oaks Day coverage high a top section three 4 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:25.079 twenty two underneath the Twin Spires at beautiful Churchill Downs on this special Oaks Day. 5 00:00:25.440 --> 00:00:28.480 I'm well along with you. John Alden is back in the control room 6 00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:32.119 doing a yeoman's job keeping us straight, helping me through this because you never 7 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:35.679 know what's gonna happen when you take over and fill in for somebody, and 8 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:38.759 I'm hoping I'm keeping you companies. I like to say when you fill in 9 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:42.240 for people like this, I'm not them, They're not me. So you 10 00:00:42.320 --> 00:00:44.520 get what you get, right. But we've had a lot of fun here. 11 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:46.960 We're gonna do it all again tomorrow. We're not done, by the 12 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:50.719 way, looking at the skies to my left over, Papa John's excuse me, 13 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:54.600 I know I was gonna do that. Llenn Stadium a little dark over 14 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:57.960 there, not sure which way that's moving as we're looking at a five point 15 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:00.320 fifty one post time for the Oaks. So as we get right for the 16 00:01:00.399 --> 00:01:03.560 oaks. Obviously, everybody here drinking bourbon, and a lot of it. 17 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:07.319 I had a chance to sit down with the president, the top bourbon dog 18 00:01:07.439 --> 00:01:11.280 in Kentucky. One of my favorite peeps here in Kentucky, of course, 19 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:15.879 is the president of the Kentucky Distillers Association, Eric Gregory. Here's my conversation 20 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:19.439 with Eric. Well, it is a celebration of all things Kentucky this week 21 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:23.120 and into the weekend. We're of course talking about horses and bourbon, and 22 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:26.560 one of my favorite people in the Commonwealth of Kentucky joins us now. It 23 00:01:26.680 --> 00:01:32.120 is, of course, with the Kentucky Distillers Association, Eric Gregory. Dude, 24 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:34.159 I know when I see you, it's a good time because we're talking 25 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.560 bourbon. How are you, my man, I'm doing good. It's funny. 26 00:01:37.640 --> 00:01:40.439 My sister calls me the pied Piper of bourbon. Oh my god, 27 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:46.400 that's an understatement, dude, that's a pretty good You will lead us to 28 00:01:46.439 --> 00:01:49.760 the Promised Land, that's for sure. I will lead you to Kentucky Bourbon. 29 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:55.200 All right, buddy, let's talk about bourbon, and we're gonna go 30 00:01:55.239 --> 00:01:57.400 back to bourbon one on one. Let's start at the beginning, Eric, 31 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:02.920 how did the Commonwealth Kentucky become the capital of Bourbon? Guess the home for 32 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.560 Bourbon. Well, you've probably seen Hamilton, right, Yes, the one 33 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.680 thing they left out of Hamilton was how Alexander Hamilton and George Washington put the 34 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:16.159 first tax on whiskey, which drove a lot of the early pioneer distillers to 35 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:21.800 the frontier. And back then the frontier was Kentucky, away from the long 36 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:27.599 arm of the federal government. And once those settlers got here and realized that 37 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:31.319 the pure limestone water, we have, the hot and cold climates, you 38 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:35.479 know, the extremes, we got a lot of corn, a lot of 39 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.159 fertile land. All these things made up for the greatest whiskey in the world 40 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:44.120 and they stayed, thankfully. So We've been making whiskey here for over two 41 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:49.240 hundred years and I'd like to think we pretty much perfected it. But it 42 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:52.599 seems like every year, another brand, another bottle comes along that preves me 43 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.879 wrong, because we're putting down some really good juice these days. Yes, 44 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:59.879 we are, Eric Gregory joining us from the Kentucky Distillers Association as we celebrate 45 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:02.159 Bourbon on this Kentucky Derby weekend, and that leads me to my next question. 46 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:06.319 Eric, new data coming out earlier this year, can you talk about 47 00:03:06.360 --> 00:03:09.120 the state of the bourbon industry here in Kentucky in twenty twenty five. You 48 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:14.240 know, we're continuing the bourbon boom. Knock on wood. We now are 49 00:03:14.439 --> 00:03:20.840 a nine billion dollar industry in Kentucky, responsible for over twenty three thousand good 50 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:25.759 paying jobs. The payroll for those is one point sixty three billion dollars. 51 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:30.960 We pay about three hundred and fifty million dollars in state and local taxes each 52 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:37.039 year, one point nine billion in federal taxes each year. And we're right 53 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:40.840 in the middle of a five point four billion dollar capital investments free with about 54 00:03:40.879 --> 00:03:45.159 three and a half of that happening in the next couple of years. So 55 00:03:45.639 --> 00:03:47.439 you know, not all are we're rolling right now, but the future looks 56 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:52.159 bright as well. It's you know, it's definitely a signature industry in the 57 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.599 golden age of Kentucky bourbon well, And that's you're leading me up into my 58 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:58.080 next question there, Eric, and I got to ask it. But as 59 00:03:58.159 --> 00:04:00.319 Murphy's Law dictates anything that goes up, could and I say, could I 60 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:04.080 use that termin loosely come down. Could we see a bourbon bubble burst? 61 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:06.639 Is that on the mindset of those in the industry. Well, you know 62 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:12.000 we did back in the seventies and eighties, right when bourbon wasn't chic anymore. 63 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:15.599 It was your your grandfather's drink, your dad's drink, and everybody moved 64 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.000 towards clear spirits. We don't see that happening as much now. But I 65 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:23.279 will tell you that Americans spent more money on tequila last year than they did 66 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:27.319 whiskey. Now. Is that because tequila's trendy again? Or is because every 67 00:04:27.360 --> 00:04:31.279 celebrity in the world has their own tequila bran right right, So we're monitoring 68 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:36.279 that pretty closely. But look, Scott, you know you've got brown Form 69 00:04:36.279 --> 00:04:41.480 in Heaven Hill, Jim Beam, you know all these Kentucky companies that are 70 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:46.639 spending billions of dollars to invest in Kentucky bourbon and the Commonwealth, and they 71 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:48.839 got people a lot smarter meat looking at their crystal ball with a lot of 72 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:54.360 data, and they're forecasting that you know, that's money well spent, that's 73 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:58.439 a good investment over the next ten twenty years. Because remember the bourbon this 74 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:01.319 world today isn't going to be he enjoyed, you know, until the twenty 75 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:06.439 thirties. So yes, I think that we're going to be headed, you 76 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:10.720 know, for this boom to continue. And a lot of that has to 77 00:05:10.720 --> 00:05:15.279 do with the global growth of Kentucky bourbon. We send over five hundred million 78 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:18.639 dollars a year around the world and that number just keeps growing and growing and 79 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:23.519 growing. So that's something they didn't have in the seventies and eighties. Really, 80 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.160 that global market. I think that will take care of us for a 81 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.519 long long time. You're right, and the social media boom helps out as 82 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:30.560 well. And in fact, Eric, all you have to just go down 83 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:34.160 the street from us here at iHeart and you've got that beautiful angels Envy facility 84 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:38.920 there. I was just down in Bardstown and Etown, both in the same 85 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:41.720 day, and you know, you drive around there and you know, Jim 86 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:45.720 Beam looks great when you come off sixty five as you head towards Bardstown, 87 00:05:45.800 --> 00:05:48.319 and it's just you're right, it's a beautiful, beautiful industry. Eric Gregory 88 00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:53.639 joins us now from the Kentucky Distillers Association. Okay, Eric, if someone's 89 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:57.360 listening, albeit from out of town or maybe the thinking about bringing guests in 90 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:00.160 as I did a few years ago and we had a great time down have 91 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:02.879 In Hill and Maker's Mark. They want to go bourbon tasting, there's probably 92 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:05.279 some advice, some things they need to look into. You can't just get 93 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:08.879 in your car and go to any one of these bourbon tasting facilities, is 94 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:11.399 that right? Yeah, you probably should have booked it six months ago. 95 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:15.920 Yes, these days, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is so popular that it's become 96 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:20.399 almost like Napa Valley, and people are planning their trip months and months out, 97 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:24.560 you know. So that doesn't mean to say that you can't find a 98 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:28.199 good tasting. You know. The distilleries have have realized this that you have 99 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:31.079 people to continue just to pop in, right, and so they're doing educational 100 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:34.160 tastings and things like that. You may not get on a tour, you 101 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:38.680 know, the next few days with Derby and everything, but you can certainly 102 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:42.360 have a good time there. Most of the stilleries, especially those in downtown 103 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:45.560 Lilesville, have bars now, and you know they'll teach you to make the 104 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:49.639 world's best old fashion or the world's best mid julip. We're talking about Derby, 105 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:53.040 you know, which I kind of think is a waste of good whiskey, 106 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:56.680 but hey, it's Derby. I'm pickings. But yeah, you know, 107 00:06:56.839 --> 00:07:00.279 stop in any one of our Kentucky bourbon distilleries downtown on Louisville. Like 108 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.079 I said, you're gonna have a good time. You're gonna learn a lot 109 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:08.519 about Kentucky bourbon, and you'll definitely get some complimentary samples and hopefully you can 110 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:12.639 buy a bottle or two to take home. Outstanding Eric Gregory talking all things 111 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:15.199 bourbon, of course, with the Kentucky Distillers Association on the legislative side of 112 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:19.240 the house, Eric, I know some I know limited self distribution is a 113 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:23.959 concerning topic. Talk about what's in play here and what you would like to 114 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:27.639 see accomplished. Yeah, we actually got that passed this year. Very thankful 115 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:32.120 to the Kentucky General Assembly for their continued partnership to help modernize our archaic alcohol 116 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:35.319 laws. And this was really a big one to help the craft distillers. 117 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:41.439 We've now got over one hundred distillers and forty two of Kentucky's counties, and 118 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:45.120 the majority of those are the new craft distillers because the bigger distillers are still 119 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:48.560 in that Amber triangle between Lexington, Louisville and Bardstown. But these craft distillers 120 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:51.680 are venturing on other places. And you know, these are small businesses, 121 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:57.720 and you know they're in Kentucky competing against the Woodford Reserves and the Angels mbs 122 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.639 you just mentioned and things like that, and the what doest thing for them 123 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.600 to do is find a distributor to get their products around. So beer and 124 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:07.439 wine already have this privileging in Kentucky where they could self distribute a limited amount 125 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:11.800 of their products. Uh, And so our craft distilder said, you know, 126 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:15.360 it's time for us to probably look for that privilege ourselves. So the 127 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:20.040 legislature was very acceptable. It flew out of both the House and the Senate, 128 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:24.160 and it'll take effect in July. But this gives them the ability to 129 00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:28.560 self distribute up to five thousand gallons of their spirits each year, and not 130 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.600 all that's bourbon, right. I mean, I think that's one of the 131 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:33.720 things that that people don't understand. These craft distillers are cranking out everything from 132 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:37.799 you know, Kentucky made gins and vodkas and barrel aged drums and all sorts 133 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:41.480 of cool stuff, and that equivalent about you know, I don't know, 134 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:46.279 four thousand cases of their products. Uh, so they can you know, 135 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:50.039 if they're distributor that they work with, you know, uh, you know 136 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:54.679 it doesn't have their products in certain areas or something like that. Uh, 137 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:56.879 they can go to a restaurant or a bar, or a package store and 138 00:08:56.960 --> 00:09:03.200 distribute that bottle themselves, being their own brand ambassador. So they're very excited 139 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:07.120 about this. I really think it's going to give a leg up to a 140 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:11.720 lot of the distillers. And again it puts Kentucky, you know, back 141 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:15.559 in competition with all these other states because a lot of states already offer this. 142 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:18.279 Yeah, and so we want to, you know, continue to offer 143 00:09:18.320 --> 00:09:20.840 good things for craft distillers to located in Kentucky. Eric Gregory joining us with 144 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:26.279 the Kentucky Distillers Association. Fantastic conversation every time with Eric, because we're talking 145 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:31.080 bourbon. The signature industry here in Kentucky's certainly being celebrated this week and into 146 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:35.440 the weekend with the Kentucky Derby the Bourbon Industry. Eric also continuing to give 147 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:39.080 back to the community. Makers Mark in the University of Kentucky teamed up for 148 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:41.039 an Earth Day event what'd they do there? Yeah, they planned more white 149 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:46.799 oak nic which is fantastic. I think they've got ten thousand saplings down there 150 00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:50.200 now. They planned about two thousand a couple of weeks ago. And this 151 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:54.960 is all part of makers Mark's sustainability niches, which every distillery of these days 152 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:58.639 has got sustainability issues because you know, we were last so heavily on the 153 00:09:58.679 --> 00:10:03.120 wid or in the wood and the grains and the soil and the environment. 154 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:07.279 We've got to be good stewards of all that in order to be sustainable. 155 00:10:07.320 --> 00:10:11.320 It can continue this bourbon legacy, you know, decades hopefullier centuries in the 156 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:16.360 future. So Maker's Market in the University Kentucky's James B. Ban Institute has 157 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:20.799 done a fantastic job through their white Oak initiative of really trying to you know, 158 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:26.600 create more white oak trees, learn the genome of white oak trees so 159 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:31.120 they can build, you know, a white oak tree that's that's not susceptible 160 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:35.440 to pests or disease or things like that. Because it takes eighty years to 161 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:39.039 grow a state tree. Eighty yeohw that is a long time. We're really 162 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:43.120 looking down the road, you know, to make sure that there's enough white 163 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:46.600 oak for all these barrels that we're using, and it's something that every distillery 164 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:50.000 is interested in. But you know, hats off, you know, raise 165 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:54.480 a glass to makers Mark for doing such a tremendous job to keep that white 166 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:58.000 oak initiative alive. Those initiatives state wide also giving back to the community in 167 00:10:58.200 --> 00:11:01.519 Louisville. That is how Hill they run of course, the Bernheim Distillery near 168 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:05.360 West Louisville's neighborhood of California, they're giving back to the community as well. 169 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:09.960 House So you know, that distillery has been been with Heaven Hill since nineteen 170 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:13.159 ninety nine and they've always done a really good job of being a good neighbor. 171 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:16.159 And again that's not just Heaven Hill, that's all of our distilleries, 172 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:18.200 but they have really worked hard with the California neighborhood to kind of rebuild that 173 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:22.519 neighborhood. And it's all part of an eight hundred thousand dollars initiative, everything 174 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:26.840 with the new community garden that they planted a couple of weeks ago, to 175 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:31.480 helping nonprofits in the area, and you know, the descendants of the California 176 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:37.679 Neighborhood again just a fantastic example of how Heaven Hill is working in that neighborhood 177 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:41.360 and the west end of Louisville to really bring it back to life and to 178 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:46.200 make sure that the neighbors and the distillery are good part. Eric Gregory joining 179 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:50.759 us with of course the Kentucky Distillers' Association, always always a great conversation. 180 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:52.279 Now, Eric, I want to ask you who your favorite kid is. 181 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:58.960 But if you have a favorite way to partake responsibly of your burnman this Derby's 182 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:03.960 season, how do you like it? Whatever way you like, enjoying bourbon 183 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:07.039 is the right way, right, you know, some people like it neat. 184 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.559 Some people myself included, like it with a couple of rocks, just 185 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:15.519 as the frost hits the glass. I'm really a fan of bourbon at cocktails, 186 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:18.519 especially the old fashion. I'm coming old fashioned snob. I like to 187 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.320 go to restaurants these days and check out to see. You know who's got 188 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:26.440 the best old fashioned? You and my daughter, that's for sure. Yeah. 189 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:28.600 But to me, and again, you know, this is just my 190 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:33.360 palette. I love a good bourbon, couple of rocks in it. Let 191 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:37.559 that frost hit the glass, sit back and sip it and savor it, 192 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:43.639 and that's Kentucky to me. But again, it all depends on what I'm 193 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.879 doing that day, how cold it is outside. If it's the summer, 194 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:50.559 I may mix an old fashion or I may mix a little bourbon and lemonade, 195 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:54.879 which Jimmy Russell taught me to do. That's really good. You know. 196 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:58.960 If it's winter, I'm going for a high proof bourbon like Elijah Craiger 197 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:03.039 Prove for Bookers or something like that to sip on. So there's no wrong 198 00:13:03.120 --> 00:13:07.960 way to enjoy Kentucky bourbon, except you've got to enjoy it responsibility, like 199 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:11.320 you said, that's exactly right, and get that bourbon hug when the weather 200 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:15.919 is right. Much talked about Eric Gregory with us with the Kentucky Distillers Association, 201 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.639 getting ready to wrap things up here. Appreciate your time here, Eric, 202 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:22.440 kind of busy, busy week and a weekend as we celebrate bourbon and 203 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:26.080 horses here in the Commonwealth. So Eric Gregory again with the Kentucky Distillers Association, 204 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:31.440 who is your Derby pick for the Kentucky Derby one. Well, you 205 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:35.120 know, we've been so busy lately. I've really hadn't had much time to 206 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.399 check out a form I do like see ear leone win Are the Bluegrass the 207 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:41.120 under Bluegrass Stakes. That horse came from behind in that race and it really 208 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:45.200 showed me a lot. I live in Woodford County and Midway and we've got 209 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:48.679 tons of great horse farms there, but win Stars. Catching Freedom is going 210 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:52.159 to be my pick for the Derby this year. Twenty horses. Man, 211 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:54.799 it's hard to you look at the belm on the Prefie, you know, 212 00:13:54.960 --> 00:14:00.440 it's all kind of winnowed down to like eight horses those And what's the weather 213 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.639 going to be? Like? Yes, is it going to run on sanity? 214 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:05.159 You're gonna look at the muddy track or something like that. So that'll 215 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:07.919 change everything. But I'm gonna go with Catching Freedom. That's going to be 216 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:11.200 my pick for the Derby. Outstanding and Eric before we let you go. 217 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:13.840 If someone's listening from out of town, they don't have time to write everything 218 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:18.159 down, but they want a good stepping off point when they go back home 219 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.720 and tell everybody about the Derby. What's the website for the Distillers Association? 220 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:26.159 Thank you, Scott's Kybourbon dot com And if you want to look at the 221 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:30.320 Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It's Kwybourbontrail dot com. Here's a teaser for you, 222 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:33.320 Scott. We're celebrating the twenty fifth anniversary of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail this year 223 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:35.399 and a month or so, we're going to come out with a whole new 224 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:39.600 look and feel for the Bourbon Trail and a new website. It's going to 225 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.840 make it easier than ever for you to plan your Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Trail. 226 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:45.399 It was pretty easy when I brought my buddies in from high school. 227 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:46.840 I don't know if you can make it much more easier than that. Eric, 228 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:50.519 you're the best, my friend, one of my favorite people in the 229 00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:54.120 entire state. Appreciate you, Buddy. Cheer Scott, Happy Derby, Happy 230 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:58.320 Derby. Oh, mister Toby Keith. They're speaking my language now, brother, 231 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:01.200 Beer for my horses. All though. I gotta admit to you, 232 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:07.320 John, I just had my first ever Oaks Lily. Did you know? 233 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:11.159 I have never had one before? Really, I've never been to the Oaks 234 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:15.080 and so I just now had my first one. More in partan, I 235 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:18.759 texted my daughter so I could get the lily's glass, and sure enough, 236 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.559 as I was telling you last segment how they'd never changed the logo on the 237 00:15:20.559 --> 00:15:26.840 glass. These have the special logo and and so I got one of them, 238 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:28.799 and my daughter's like, can you get me a second one? But 239 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.360 they're full now, Daniel BLI is along with us John, who's in our 240 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:35.039 engineer here on site. Daniel, you were telling me something about the glasses 241 00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:39.399 we have here. Yes, what's so special about these? Oh, they're 242 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:43.879 fogged rather than the regular transparent ones. And I believe these are for the 243 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:48.799 millinery road like these are the frosty glasses. Yes, wow, So we 244 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:52.480 got some special glasses here, John. And I gotta say, just from 245 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:56.039 my perspective as somebody who is not currently with you at the grand stand, 246 00:15:56.120 --> 00:16:00.720 I can tell a big difference in crowd. It's not just on the ambient 247 00:16:00.759 --> 00:16:04.240 noise from yeah, from now compared to right before the top of the app 248 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:08.039 it's a big difference, right right jokes. That's very observant of you, 249 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:12.039 John, because right in front of us they are wheeling the starting gate in 250 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:18.279 ahead of the oaks. Five fifty one is your post time. The excitement 251 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:22.159 is building. We I think we just had a shower roll through here. 252 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:25.639 They're out working on the track behind the gate. Daniel's acknowledging that it did 253 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.879 get a little it's it's cooled down a little bit. It has they steal 254 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:30.720 the truck. I had noticed a moment ago. Yeah, and because I 255 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:34.840 was telling John Alden before we were going to a break that how it had 256 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:38.639 got really hot here for a while. Then that shower moved through it was 257 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:42.080 getting steaming. Yeah, and now it's kind of cooled off. But John, 258 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:47.960 that is a great observative observation by you, because fans are getting excited. 259 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:51.519 The media around us is now starting to get excited as we get ready 260 00:16:51.559 --> 00:16:53.559 to enter the eleventh three stile. We do have two more races after this, 261 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:56.480 by the way, so a chance for me to win some of your 262 00:16:56.519 --> 00:17:00.639 money back if you lose it. But it looks like in the Kentucky Terifa 263 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:07.000 is the favorite. Everybody's looking at Tarifa then just fyi who Jody Demmling said 264 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:11.079 he liked, and of course ways and means, so you're looking at the 265 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:15.359 eighth, the thirteen, and the eleven your long shot torpedo Anna and into 266 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:22.200 Champagne and into Champagne. We talked about this morning with Tony Cruz that has 267 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:27.000 strong mount Washington connections their ownership. Yeah, hails from Mount Washington. There's 268 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:30.039 a lot of folks in there, and they're just you know, they're wanting 269 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:34.720 to see her finish. And it's a great storyline for it's who I'm pulling 270 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:38.160 for. I'd like to see him pull this thing off again, just for 271 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:41.000 the good, good folks in Mount Washington. So we'll see what happens. 272 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:45.480 But Daniels, we're moving on. First of all, John and I were 273 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:48.039 giving you some love earlier talking about what a great job you've done out here 274 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:51.880 setting this up. Oh thank you now only I mean, this is crazy, 275 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.559 this setup you have here. And when I first came up, I 276 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:57.079 always said, Daniel always acknowledges people in and around, and I got the 277 00:17:57.119 --> 00:18:02.119 hand from Daniel goes chill, dude. Stuff to work on a little stressful 278 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:03.599 there to start out right, Just a little stressful. Yeah, I can't 279 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:07.559 get the audio levels right, and I kept getting back feeds and right right. 280 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:11.680 And this isn't like a job where like if you have an office job, 281 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.559 you show up ten minutes late for work, you just sit down and 282 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:15.640 do your job. Oh no, not at all. It's when you get 283 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.519 three hours early and then you hope that you're here enough time early before set 284 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:21.480 up, and you've got to go in the air to set time, like 285 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.079 you can't delay going on the air. We got to be on the air. 286 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:26.119 You hit to be on the air at that time. And I have 287 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.480 one downstairs too, and other comras, Oh my goodness, they're everywhere. 288 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:32.720 So how long did it take you to do a setup like this? I 289 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:36.400 got here around nine o'clock this morning, and then I got to the the 290 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:38.599 grand stands around ten o'clock, anduse I didn't get anything set up until around 291 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:44.119 one o'clock this afternoon. And and and when we're done here, when the 292 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:47.440 Oaks goes off, Yeah, my fat, dumb and happy. But you 293 00:18:47.440 --> 00:18:49.599 know it is going home, h you gotta break all this down. Yeah, 294 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.559 I'm not going home right away. I be tearing all this down. 295 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:55.400 And then I have to walk back to the backside and take an ey comras 296 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.000 back there for tomorrow morning. And then you got to be back here tomorrow 297 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:00.680 and that guy bring the comics back to the backside, and then another remote. 298 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:03.079 My goodness, now, but you've got to come back to my morning 299 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:06.359 and set all this up. Yeah, I think i'd be out here I 300 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:10.359 think at nine am until eight pm. Oh my goodness, a fun day. 301 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:12.079 Well, you know, we all appreciate you. We all appreciate the 302 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:15.720 hard work you do. And yeah, you should see this lay out there, 303 00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:18.640 John Alden. It's incredible to watch the master do his work and get 304 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.000 everything set. So, John, I know you didn't keep up a whole 305 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:26.079 lot with the Oaks like you and I talked about today. That is, 306 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.640 you're more of a sports betting guy when it comes to the basketball, football, 307 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:32.680 etc. That's true, But have you had a chance to look at 308 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:34.680 some of these old sources I tell you. I like how you mentioned Into 309 00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:38.519 Champagne is a Mount Washington or has a connection to Mount Washington. That's where 310 00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:42.279 I currently live. So I do think I am going to jump on the 311 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:47.519 bandwagon with you and be pulling for Into Champagne. But I'm also a guy 312 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.839 who and I know there's a lot of people out there like this. They 313 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:53.680 like to look at the names, especially when you're not as familiar with the 314 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:57.039 trainers and that kind of thing. How you know the bloodlines, that kind 315 00:19:57.079 --> 00:20:00.119 of stuff, and so a couple of names I like in this race of 316 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:06.599 your betting, specifically on on that alone, Lemon muffin thirty to one odds. 317 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:11.319 Fiona's Magic also with thirty to one Oddsona's Magic. What does that mean? 318 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:15.599 You know, I have no idea. It could be anything from Fiona 319 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:18.920 from Shrek. It could be Fiona. Honestly, this is in vein of 320 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:22.839 nick. I mean, it could be a porn star's name. That's somebody 321 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:26.599 that you may see on the pole at your local strip club. Right. 322 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:30.839 Well, I'm with you, bro, I mean you got If you're going 323 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.920 on names, you've got some things to work on. I know my wife 324 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:36.400 at home. I've been texting her back and forth. She's a big mimosa 325 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:38.640 lady. Okay, so I think she will go it in through champagne. 326 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:44.599 You got a horse called Power Squeeze. It's a good one, especially we 327 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:48.200 already had my main Squeeze win a couple of races ago. Right, and 328 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:51.000 you know the way some of these horses are sort of related. Yes, 329 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:56.160 when it comes to names. Uh Everlyn Everlynd has another one there. His 330 00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:00.720 trainer is from Owensboro. That is Eric Fall. He's an Owensboro guy. 331 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:04.319 So if you're a fan of Owainnsboro. Lance McGarvey voice of lu City, 332 00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:08.359 Looking at you. He's a big Owensboro guylumes you could go with that. 333 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:15.119 You've got candied and of course are Pretty Woman. Now our Pretty Woman, 334 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:18.640 from a technical standpoint, is a horse you want to watch. Having a 335 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:22.640 conversation with Tony and I've already closed out my laptop. I've had some notes 336 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:26.000 on this. When I found out this was going to be an off track, 337 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:30.759 being that it's sloppy, I took a look at all the horses that 338 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:34.039 have done well on sloppy tracks that don't necessarily do well. This race is 339 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:38.640 loaded with those type of horses. Are Pretty Woman is one of those horses, 340 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:42.720 and she's done very well on a sloppy track. So those are some 341 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:48.720 things to look at as well. You have regulatory risk as we mentioned Thorpedo 342 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:55.359 Andy, now excuse me, Thorpedo Anna. Now Thorpedo Anna is also their 343 00:21:55.440 --> 00:22:00.759 jockey is Brian Hernandez and who Paul Miles are compadre working alongside us over whas 344 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:03.839 This Evening did a great story on that. We're gonna feature that again tomorrow. 345 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:10.039 He's trying to become the Oaks Derby double winner. So and I can't 346 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:12.240 give you the stats on how all that went down, but he's certainly going 347 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:17.240 to try that as well. As you mentioned John in the break Tabbitt, 348 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:22.160 Jena Lee has been scratched. That made the way for of course the number 349 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:26.960 fifteen are pretty woman. So a lot of storylines unfolding in this elks there 350 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:32.480 John, And as I look across now, I'm looking off to my right. 351 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:37.200 This would be away from lenn Stadium, past the big board. I'm 352 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:41.200 trying to get my directions turned around sometimes here at Churchill, but I'm looking 353 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:42.640 off to my right. There are some dark clouds over there, and I 354 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:48.960 think stuff generally moves from Lenn Stadium over this way, so I think that's 355 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:52.759 beyond us. It looks like we'll probably get the Oaks off without some rain. 356 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:56.759 A lot of folks, actually, the ponchos are all off in the 357 00:22:56.880 --> 00:23:00.519 grand stands across from us here. A lot of folks put tarps up over 358 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:03.720 Remember the old days when you would sit along the fence in the infield and 359 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:07.240 folks would put tarps up there. So it looks like the Oaks is gonna 360 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:11.440 go off without the rain. That would be nice, not real picturesque for 361 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:15.680 TV, however, it's nice when the sun is out and the pink really 362 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:21.119 pops. But just a what an amazing day John, As I mentioned, 363 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:25.720 it was a day that started at one thirty this morning. For me again, 364 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.599 when you can wake up in the morning at one thirty and you get 365 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:33.000 out of bed and you're excited, You're not tired. You get out of 366 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.920 bed, You're like, Okay, let's go do this. You're you just 367 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:37.880 want to go with the day. I'll do the same thing tomorrow. I 368 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:41.559 do it every Derby And you know I mentioned this on the air with Tony 369 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:45.559 when I used to produce Saturday Mornings with Roann and mil One. Thing I 370 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:48.279 always remember about Derby Morning, whether the weather was gonna be good or whether 371 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:52.640 it was gonna be bad. Waking up on Derby Morning to come into news 372 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:56.559 radio eight forty whs. Always there was a special feel to it. The 373 00:23:56.599 --> 00:24:00.240 birds sounded different, the air smelled different because you knew it was Derby Morning. 374 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:06.960 And when you look back on the history that that station has with this 375 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:11.279 institution that is Churchill Downs, it is absolutely incredible. And I was explaining 376 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:15.880 to you earlier how there's been some kind of mix up with my credentials on 377 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:19.559 the red Carpet and we got the LK so Grandes here at Churchill Downs involved 378 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:26.000 the big cheeses, and they immediately said news Radio eight forty whs needs to 379 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:30.200 be on the red carpet. That's how much they recognize our partnership with Churchill 380 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:32.920 Downs. I mean, you go back to the days of Kayo Lefford and 381 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:37.160 the work he did here and to some point when I first started at iHeart 382 00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:41.039 some twenty five years ago, then Clear Channel Communications they had just become Clear 383 00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:48.400 Channel from Jacore. The Great Paul Rogers would be sort of our mafia go 384 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:51.480 our mob. I don't want to call him a mob boss, but I 385 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:55.720 use that term loosely. He was the godfather out here. And Paul would 386 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.519 sit up in his cubicle and I went up there a couple of mornings and 387 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:02.920 and Paul would be going over practicing the race call as the sun was coming 388 00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:07.119 up over to the east, and we would call the race ourselves. And 389 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:11.079 now this has become a network event, which I think NBC just does a 390 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:15.720 fantastic job with And that's why we don't broadcast past five o'clock. No one 391 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:21.559 can because it's exclusive network rights. But we used to broadcast the race produce 392 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:23.160 the race. And you know, you sit in this grand stand, you 393 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:26.960 think of the secretariats who have run by here, the Seattle Slews to some 394 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:33.359 degree, the Aristides, the first ever Kentucky Derby champion. You're just so 395 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:37.240 blessed every year to be here. And I'll think about that on my way 396 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.920 home, and I'll go to bed tonight. It's gonna be hard to go 397 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:41.319 to bed tonight, to be honest with you, this is the weekend where 398 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:44.519 you don't sleep if you're a Louisvillion, and especially if you're in the media 399 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:47.160 as a Louis Villent. No, no, not at all. I'll go 400 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.400 home tonight, I will stay up. I will watch the media parties. 401 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:53.079 But more I'm going to be excited about the work we do tomorrow and just 402 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:56.839 being around the people that I love to work with and in my family here 403 00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:02.480 at iHeartMedia and there's certainly special group and there's no doubt. As we get 404 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:06.279 ready to wind down our Oaks coverage, John, on that note, we've 405 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:08.720 got fourteen minutes until the Oaks post. We will have the race in its 406 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:14.160 entirety. The starting gate is in front of us, All the starting gate 407 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:18.119 maintainers are just lounging around. Now. Everybody's kind of just waiting for the 408 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:22.160 excitement. As we catch up with the network people in the paddock area. 409 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:26.319 You can see the jockeys leaning up against the railpost there. Everybody in a 410 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:30.680 waiting game as the anticipation begins. So let's take our quick break, get 411 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:33.440 that out of the way, and we'll bring you back for the pageantry and 412 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:37.599 emotion of what is the Oaks twenty twenty four. I'm Scott Fitzgerald live out 413 00:26:37.599 --> 00:26:41.559 here at Churchill Downs. We're back after this on Sports Talk seven ninety and 414 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:45.440 welcome back. Boy, is this a treat. We're coming right back. 415 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:49.839 Seven minutes to post. I'm Scott Fitzgerald here at section three twenty two under 416 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:55.880 the historic Twin Spires as the Oaks horses are passing directly in front of us. 417 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:59.839 John, What a beautiful sight this. It's about that time, it 418 00:26:59.880 --> 00:27:03.240 is John, seven minutes to go. The excitement is building. I wish 419 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:07.079 the weather was a little bit better. However, if you've been around this 420 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:10.920 sport long enough, you know that you know these things happen, and these 421 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:15.920 races happen, and boy, these these creatures look so beautiful. It is 422 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:18.880 you know, and they look like all the other horses that ran today, 423 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:22.079 but they're Oaks horses and and that's what makes them special. And on a 424 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:26.519 very special day, as they come by, and fans are all lined up 425 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:30.400 against the rail as they watch them go on by, everybody is decked out 426 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:34.039 and and it's so funn because you can almost pick out the people who are 427 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:37.440 here for the first time, and and you know they're just so excited to 428 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:41.720 see them. They're so excited. And now we have families that are that 429 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:45.640 are all gathering to take photos along the rail when they're coming by. And 430 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:48.599 you know, you wonder if this is a great vantage spot, John, 431 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:52.240 because you look down and you wonder how many stories are being told go now 432 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:56.160 and and memories. And I'm sure if you can see it on TV. 433 00:27:56.519 --> 00:28:02.480 Just off to my left it is jam packed. That of course is just 434 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:06.359 behind the start line. And then you look down to the lounge sitting and 435 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:11.839 of course it is the final countdown playing by Europe. Oh yeah, I 436 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:14.720 can hear that. Yeah, you can hear that. That's how big they 437 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:18.200 excit. You have your United States Navy man in the rails down by the 438 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:22.000 finish line, which is a tradition. Here at Churchill Downs, the cigar 439 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:26.319 smoke is thick and in the air. People are standing. I don't see 440 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:30.759 anyone sitting amongst us now, as the anticipation builds for the one hundred and 441 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:34.599 fiftieth running of the Kentucky Oaks one hundred and fifty years, John, it's 442 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:38.119 hard to believe when you think about, you know, a continual event like 443 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:45.200 this and what it's become that you just can't imagine with the folks here at 444 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:49.079 Churchill Downs, and and to think it's getting bigger. Yeah, I believe 445 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:52.200 this along with the Indianapolis five hundred, which is coming up here in a 446 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:56.240 couple of weeks, two of the longest running events in the United States, 447 00:28:56.519 --> 00:29:00.400 you know, right. And it's so funny because you have these events that, 448 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:03.680 like you said, the Indy five hundred, I've been to Indy Races 449 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:06.519 where there are a handful of people there. I've been out here to Churchill 450 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:10.680 Downs where there's been a handful of people here. But yet it's the same 451 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:15.039 sport, the same venue, and yet it's packed now and I'm sure we'll 452 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:18.000 get an official count. Now. You have folks in the infield that have 453 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:22.480 made their way in between the different barns, and they're watching on the rail. 454 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:26.640 The folks in the grand stand right across from us. You can see 455 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:30.880 them. They are all standing now and all eyes at least where I'm at, 456 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:34.519 are looking to their left as the horses continue to circle around down by 457 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:38.599 the central avenue wall there and do their march on into the gate. And 458 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:42.200 as you know, the jockeys, obviously a lot of them have been here 459 00:29:42.240 --> 00:29:47.200 before. They've had Derby rides, They've had Oaks rides, Belmont's Priaknesses, 460 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:51.559 you name it. But it's these owners. Like we mentioned the Intwo Champagne 461 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:55.240 group from Mount Washington, they own that horse. I mean, this is 462 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:57.920 I remember my first Derby. I remember my first time getting up close in 463 00:29:57.960 --> 00:30:03.119 personal with a Derby horse. In fact, one of the first times I 464 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:07.759 was able to walk through the paddic when my credentials said I had access, 465 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:11.440 I went up by mistake. I didn't mean to go. I was trying 466 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.720 to get a photo of a horse. I can't remember which one it was, 467 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.759 but I walked and I realized that was in the paddic and I wait, 468 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:18.160 wait a minute, am I supposed to be here? And they had 469 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:22.039 waved me through because my credentials said I should be here. So you're hearing 470 00:30:22.039 --> 00:30:26.160 people starting to chant now, oh yeah, And I can only imagine what 471 00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:30.759 a first time ownership, family, group you name it, are feeling right 472 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:37.039 now, the anticipation that builds, And anybody who's watched horse racing knows that 473 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:41.000 that is a feeling like no other. And I'm sure there's knots and stomachs, 474 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:45.680 there's queasy stomachs, there are plenty of sleepless nights, and god forbid, 475 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:48.519 if your horse is that one that's coming around that you know, that 476 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:52.960 third or fourth turn and you're making a run and that excitement starts to build. 477 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:55.519 Did we talked about rich Strike earlier? I mean, could we see 478 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:59.599 a Sinerella story like that here in a couple of minutes. Absolutely? Yeah, 479 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:03.720 You're exactly right, John, And to your point tomorrow, is there 480 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:07.359 a horse sitting in the barns directly across from me, off to my right. 481 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:11.480 Is there a horse that is sitting in that barn right now? That 482 00:31:11.640 --> 00:31:14.559 is the next history making horse. I mean, you look at Willie interviewed 483 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:17.960 Rich strikesonder the night before Derby. I mean, it was just an average 484 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.119 run of the middle interview. He didn't even think that they were gonna do 485 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:22.480 anything. And next thing you know, you wake up a Kentucky Derby champion. 486 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:26.920 Now here come the horses. They are coming down the front stretch. 487 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:32.960 Here as they're making their final approach, you see the assist riders all decked 488 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:36.839 out in pink, and fans are now getting their cameras out. As they're 489 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.359 starting to point them off to their left. You're gonna start to hear a 490 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:42.720 rise in the crowd on this beauty. And it looks like John the skies 491 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:49.440 are breaking. It looks like yeah. And they're showing a video on the 492 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:56.240 board for the celebration of the Oaks and everything down from the silver Trophy to 493 00:31:56.319 --> 00:32:02.400 the Survivor's walk to the lilies, and I mean, just everybody just enjoying 494 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:07.400 themselves. And I go back to twenty twenty, that Saturday we were sitting 495 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:10.440 in the studio and the friday before and the COVID year, and it was 496 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:15.519 a picture perfect weekend for both races, and Willie and I were talking about 497 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:19.599 how where we'd be and what we do and I don't think anybody ever wants 498 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:22.680 to go back to that moment again. And you have to live for these 499 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:25.240 moments. And I know when I put my head on my pillow tomorrow night, 500 00:32:25.640 --> 00:32:30.559 I will be so content with no one. I've been able to experience 501 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:34.400 something like the one hundred and fiftieth running of not only the Kentucky Oaks, 502 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:37.160 but the Kentucky Derby. Here come the horses. Now, as the first 503 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:44.000 horses are making their way up to the paddock area, We've got We've got 504 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:46.839 it looks like I'm trying to read the numbers. There number twelve. We've 505 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:52.359 got the number twelve horse that is Power Squeeze getting ready to load in. 506 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:57.880 Where's the other one? All right? And all right? Well, on 507 00:32:57.920 --> 00:33:00.680 that note, I'm gonna leave it with you as they love the horses in 508 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:02.880 the gate. We'll be back to recap the race after this on a special 509 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:07.160 Oaks day on Sports Talks Tavin nineties. Big video boards are eliminating a lot 510 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:12.480 of light as well as these horses load, and they load too at a 511 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:16.599 time, A double load here at Churchill Down so gets everyone in fast expected 512 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:21.640 pacesetter, and here the seven Fiona's magic long shot. The hope of the 513 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:24.079 trainer is that no one will respect her and they'll leave her alone. To 514 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:27.759 set a slow fase. It should be interested. She stopped last time, 515 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:30.319 but she came back with a lung infection, so expect her to hang on 516 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:34.240 longer than most. The first Kentucky Oaks was run two days after the first 517 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:37.839 Kentucky Derby. That's why even though the Oaks is the day before the Derby, 518 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:40.599 now it is the Derby. That's the longest continuously held sporting event in 519 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:44.559 the US. Not the Oaks, but this is right behind it, and 520 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:49.640 this Friday with over one hundred thousand and everything on the line here, it's 521 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:53.319 the importance of this. So as the last a couple of horses load set 522 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:57.839 for the Kentucky Oaks and with the call here's Larry Collins, thank you, 523 00:33:57.880 --> 00:34:00.839 Mike it we're just about set frol stars. They are all in line and 524 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:08.119 we are ready for the first. They're off and the Kentucky Oaks, and 525 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:13.320 in between horses it will be ever Land. It shows the early speed. 526 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:16.599 But here on the inside comes Thorp Pedo n out right outside of Fionda's magic 527 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:22.159 wings and means as close to that Leslie's Rose, followed by into Champagne. 528 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:25.320 As they race into the turn, our pretty woman goes wide into that turn, 529 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:30.280 and right behind them is Just Fyi, the two year old Philly Champion, 530 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:32.719 is only five lengths off the lead, break of another two lengths more 531 00:34:32.920 --> 00:34:37.800 Beck to regulatory risk, and then it's ever Land to the outside in behind 532 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:42.199 them, Terifa, where's my Ring? Lemon muffin power squeeze in behind that 533 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:45.840 group, ching Gin is last of them all as the field continues up the 534 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:52.599 backstretch with just over five furlongs to go, in pursuit of Thorpedo Anna who 535 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:57.000 runs by this hat bole in forty six point seventy nine seconds. The pace 536 00:34:57.159 --> 00:35:00.039 is honest enough field is match at a second, We and Means is purchaed 537 00:35:00.079 --> 00:35:04.079 just to the outside of them, running in third as they reached for the 538 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:09.199 far turn. Then Just Fyi on the outside into Champagne saving all the ground 539 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:14.800 just two months off the lead, then regulatory risk, Leslie's roses back pedaling 540 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:16.719 on the turn. Where's my ring is starting the gate a bit of ground, 541 00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:22.400 But meanwhile thor pino Enna is still there, and Wings and Means is 542 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:27.119 right alongside, and Just Fyi is making her round, and the three of 543 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:30.760 them will come to the top of this wretch three quarters one eleven point seven 544 00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:35.760 five and the regulas wrecks and thirty Peno Lenna tries to take him all the 545 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:40.320 way. Just Fyi has boomed up on the outside ways and means is starting 546 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:45.599 to get away. Regulatory Risk is running big one that is down the center 547 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:50.159 of the track. Third Pino Lenna still going strong at the sixteenth pole. 548 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:55.320 Oh she's got body left and prying off her dad does And thirteen Oleanna dominates 549 00:35:55.360 --> 00:36:00.719 thought run one hundred and fiftyeth Kentucky Oaks and that us Jeff not going on 550 00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:09.440 Wow, Wow, what a race. Brian Hernandez wins the Kentucky Derby. 551 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:14.960 All right, excuse me, win's the Kentucky Oaks. What an amazing run. 552 00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:20.679 Don't quote me on that one. Thorfedo and could Brian Hernandez pull off 553 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:25.639 the Oaks Derby double coming up tomorrow? What an amazing run, John, 554 00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:31.039 you had Fiona's magic. It was hanging around, but it was hanging around. 555 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:35.280 Well, that is going to ramp up our day here. What an 556 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:38.840 amazing, an amazing Kentucky Oaks. We're gonna go home and get some rest 557 00:36:39.159 --> 00:36:42.840 and then we're gonna come back and we're gonna try to do it all again 558 00:36:42.840 --> 00:36:50.440 tomorrow, Ken Brian Hernandez get the Oaks Derby double. That will be decided. 559 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:52.639 He's got a lot to think about tonight. Boy, this has been 560 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:55.599 fun. John Alden, thank you so much, my man. As you're 561 00:36:55.599 --> 00:36:59.960 working. Oh, it has been a real treat. Thanks to Gus Allen, 562 00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:02.599 our programming director. Back at iHeartMedia, Louisville. Thank you to Daniel 563 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:06.320 Blind for all your hard work. We're gonna get out of here. We 564 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:09.719 are back on the air in twelve hours time. I'll be on the air 565 00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:14.960 with Joe Jackovino as we get our all day Derby coverage. Joe Elliott, 566 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:20.639 We'll get you going at seven o'clock tonight, a very special Secretariat presentation. 567 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:22.800 Thank you to all. Have a good night. We'll talk to you in 568 00:37:22.840 --> 00:37:29.679 twelve hours at six o'clock on News Radio eight forty whas