At The Wire, April 3, 2026
At The Wire with Scott Miller
Road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby: Community, Tradition, and the Equine Network
At The Wire: 2026 Kentucky Derby Panorama Outlook
From a two-minute sprint to a month-long community celebration and economic engine
"Our mission is to provide Louisville with unique recreation and community services that directly contribute to the region's cultural, educational, and economic development." Scott Miller Founder / Host of MSM Equine
Core topic: Beyond the cultural ecology of horse racing
Key event preview
Horse owners and horse fans toolbox
Event's profound economic and cultural impact on the Louisville community. The broadcast highlights the International Equine Network as a comprehensive digital hub for racing fans and professionals, offering everything from live race streams to logistical tools for horse management.
Detailed Summary
The Economic and Cultural Power of the Derby Festival
The Kentucky Derby has evolved from a single-weekend race into a month-long community celebration known as the Kentucky Derby Festival. This festival is designed to provide unique entertainment while contributing to the aesthetic, cultural, and economic development of the greater Louisville area. With the support of 4,000 volunteers, the event hosts massive attractions like "Thunder Over Louisville," one of the world's largest fireworks displays, and various riverboat races and parades. The economic footprint is staggering, generating approximately $204 million for the local community over a 10-day period. Similar community-focused models are mirrored at other major racing venues like Saratoga, Santa Anita, and Pimlico.
Kentucky Derby Festival Impact
"From a famous two minutes into a month-long party."
A Digital Ecosystem for Equestrians
The International Equine Network (msmequine.com) serves as a vital resource, providing live racing coverage from across the globe, including Australia, and domestic tracks like Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Tampa Bay Downs. Beyond entertainment, the platform offers "Quick Links" designed to streamline the lives of horsemen. These include connections to Brookledge for horse transportation, Equibase for detailed horse statistics and auction history, and the Jockey Club for regulatory information. The site also features practical services like the Weather Channel for transport planning and Walmart delivery for barn supplies, ensuring that all necessary information is accessible with a single click.
Behind the Scenes: Training, Traditions, and Second Careers
The broadcast provides an intimate look at the grueling schedules of top trainers like Todd Pletcher, whose seven-day-a-week commitment involves everything from early morning workouts to owner communications. It also explores the "second life" of thoroughbreds; many retired racehorses find new purposes as polo ponies or show horses through the Off Track Thoroughbred Association. Looking forward, the network is introducing interactive traditions, such as a Triple Crown cook-off contest featuring recipes from trainers, owners, and jockeys, culminating in a final championship at the Breeders' Cup.
MSM Equine Quick Links
- 🚚 Brookledge: Professional Transport
- 📊 Equibase: Stats & Auction History
- ⚖️ Jockey Club: Rules & Regulations
- 🌾 Always Feed: Nutrition & Slow Doers
- 📦 Walmart: Barn & Hotel Delivery
- ☁️ Weather Channel: Shuttle Planning
Key Data
- Countdown: 29 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes until the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
- Economic Impact: $204 million generated for Louisville during the Derby period.
- Volunteer Force: 4,000 individuals manage the festival operations.
- Arkansas Derby Winner: "Renegade" currently tops the list of Derby hopefuls.
To-Do / Next Steps
- Visit msmequine.com to view the official 2026 Kentucky Derby food recipes and Southern food segments.
- Access live racing streams for Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Tampa Bay Downs via the website's live markers.
- Review the "How to Buy a Thoroughbred" educational video for insights into horse confirmation.
- Contact Scott Miller at 728-888-2963 to request sales catalogs for upcoming live horse auctions.
- Check the "How They Get There" schedule on the website for a detailed breakdown of Derby Week events at Churchill Downs.
Conclusion
The 2026 Kentucky Derby remains a pinnacle of both sporting excellence and community service. Through the International Equine Network, Scott Miller continues to bridge the gap between professional horsemen and casual fans, ensuring that the traditions and logistical needs of the industry are met with modern, accessible digital solutions.
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Reporting on The Thoroughbred industry!
If you’re captivated by the power and grace of horses, there’s a thrilling world waiting for you—horse racing like you’ve never seen it before.
Step into the heart-pounding excitement of equestrian sports with Scott Miller, your ultimate guide to everything from the latest international racing headlines to the untold stories behind the track. Whether you're new to the sport or a lifelong fan, this program dives deep into the magic and mystery that makes horse racing one of the most exhilarating spectacles on Earth.
Discover what truly sets a champion horse apart, explore the secrets behind elite training for both standardbreds and thoroughbreds, and meet the legendary handlers and jockeys shaping the sport. Uncover the rich history, the art and science of breeding, and insider tips that could turn you into a savvy bettor.
With behind-the-scenes access and expert insight, this show brings you closer to the action than ever before. Curious? Saddle up—because this ride is just getting started.
[00:05] Speaker 1: Yeah. This is where it begins. (upbeat music plays) Hey, hey, hey. From the starting gate, to the final stride. Feel the rush, as the champions ride. Every heartbeat's a Durham Pond call. One shot glory (glory) , winner takes all. From the dirt to the lights, hear the crowd roar higher. Every second burning, closer to the wire. At the wire, where the fastest hearts collide. At the wire, feel the thunder come alive. You're riding at the wire.
[00:59] Speaker 2: Good afternoon, equestrians. This is Scott Miller coming to you live from Delray Beach, Florida. We're starting our derby track. We started here today, got all the horses up to Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby. Uh, it's gonna be interesting, uh, to see what happens. You know, the, the, the derby is, is kind of a, a unique situation here in the United States. Uh, well, actually all over the world. Uh, it's amazing how people come together for sporting events, football, you know, Superbowl, uh, basketball, what have you. But the mission statement for the derby, Kentucky Derby Festival, it says it all. "To provide a creative and unique entertainment and community service for the people of greater Louisville, that directly contributes to the aesthetic, cultural, educational, charitable and economic development of the area." Uh, you know, and, and this is funny. It's just not, uh, uh, the Churchill.
[02:02] Speaker 2: They do the same thing at the Preakness and at the Belmont, and the Saratoga, and Santa Anita. Uh, you know, everything. They're trying to help the community out as much as they possibly can by creating an event for everybody to come to. Um, you don't have to be, you know, a horse person to go to the derby. Uh, you know, which is 29 days, 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 36 seconds away from the 2026 Kentucky Derby. And, um, the things that they, they do, uh, there at Churchill, you know, and throughout Kentucky, throughout the United States, is an amazing thing. Uh, you know, they create an environment, and it's grown over the years to huge, huge things that they do. Um, you know, there in Louisville. And they do the same thing in the Preakness, and they do the same thing for the Belmont, and they do the same thing at Saratoga and Santa Anita. Uh, you know, it's just phenomenal, uh, what they do for, for the community.
[03:00] Speaker 2: Um, they've organized and promoted and conduct events using the collective efforts and resources of volunteers, small and large businesses, non-for-profit organizations, governmental entities, to enhance a positive, um, international recognition, economic and cultural development, and community image of the greater Louisville. And you can, you can take greater Louisville outta that and put in Pim- Pensacola, or Baltimore, uh, Santa Anita, you know, from California. Um, they started a stretch, uh, famous two minutes, into a month-long party. Um, you know, and, and that's when it, what had happened years ago, the derby was just on the weekend. It was on Saturday, you know, and it's something you did on Friday and Saturday. And, you know, you were at the, at the derby in, in Louisville. But what they did is, when they started thinking about things, uh, the Run for the Roses Horse Racing, Louisville Derby Festival is a community celebration.
[04:03] Speaker 2: The festival is one of the premier events of its kind in the world. It's amazing. When you go there, you see any and everything. It, it's a 10-day long process now. They've got, um, Thunder Over Louisville, which is one of the largest fireworks shows in the world. They got the, um, uh, they got the Battle, uh, of the Bell of Louisville, and any and all, all comers from the riverboat race. Uh, they got the parade. They got ... N- Name it, they have it. Um, they have ... This organization has 4,000, get this for you, 4,000 volunteers to make sure that this thing goes off, uh, you know, the way, the way they want it. Uh, and that's amazing. You know, uh, they, they try to do the best they can. They do do the best they can, and it's an exciting thing to go to. Um, the economic impact that it has on just the city of Louisville alone, from those 10 days, is $204 million. $204 million into the comm- community, just because of the Kentucky Derby.
[05:10] Speaker 2: You know, and that's, that's what it's all about. Is, is the economic impact, uh, that we have in the horse business, on our country, and on our city. It's very important, and that's why, uh, you know, we suggest everybody go to it. See what it's all about, participate in it. Go out and have a few, um, uh, good meals. Have, have just a little bit of everything. In fact, on my website, um, msmequine.dot,.com, uh, we have a little segment on there, um, that we put up today. And it's kinda neat to see. It's, uh, it's, uh, uh, makes you hungry. I don't even look at it, take a look at it, but, uh, it's about the, what you have at, at derby time for food. Uh, you know, it's just unbelievable, uh, the things that you can make. And, and you know, the thing of it is, is, is not ...
[06:03] Speaker 2: It's tradition, but it's the tradition that you want.You can go to the-
[06:08] Speaker 3: Hopefully a weekend of Keeneland racing, 2026.
[06:11] Speaker 2: You can, you can go to the-
[06:13] Speaker 3: And that means it's the Blue Grass Stakes. Of course, the Ashland Stakes kicks it off for three-year-old fillies, uh, on Friday, and the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday. Couple of contenders could emerge and get into the Kentucky Derby starting gate come Saturday.
[06:29] Speaker 2: (laughs) We ve got a little bit, got a little bit ahead of ourselves there. Uh, got into the, um, uh, um, Blue Grass Stakes, which is tomorrow. But, uh, back to what I was ... I was going to have a little technical g- get ahead here. Um, we've got Southern food for any occasion. And Churchill Downs unveils its own 2026, uh, the official food for the Kentucky Derby. That's on our website. And if you go to msmequine.com, you can see it. Uh, we have a Triple Crown Tour that we're doing. Uh, we'll have, uh, food of the, of the Preakness, which is in Baltimore, and we have food of the, uh, Belmont, which is in New York. And it's all local, and it's all official food, um, products there for each one of the stakes races. And then we have, uh, official food for the Breeders Cup. So, you can make it, uh, your derby thing anything you want. Um, you know, there are so really set thing ... Well, uh, like, for example, Burgers is one of the Kentucky Derby staples.
[07:38] Speaker 2: Um, you know, you might have, uh, Aunt Mary's, uh, beef stew or something that you'd like to put into your derby, uh, tradition. And, and that's the great thing about the derby is, it's, there's, there's kind of a guideline, but it's not set in stone. You can, uh, change it and make it different things that, you know, uh, you would like to, you know, put into your party for your guests, you know. So that, that's the great thing about, uh, traditions. Um, traditions are good, but, you know, it could be, uh, any way you want it. But, um, saying on the website here, just real quick, um, I'd like for you to go to it and, and see. Uh, we have traditions and it's, it's the history of Churchill Downs. It's real, uh, real good level segment there. Tells you about how Churchill started, uh, you know, when, what, who, and where. Uh, it's really good. Uh, it's not very long, but it, it tells exactly about what it's about. And then the one that I like is from my friends at, um, WHAS.
[08:42] Speaker 2: We did a piece several years ago. It's called The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. It's the Kentucky Derby. And I tell you what, when you go look at that, if that doesn't get you excited, nothing will. Uh, that, that'll get you, that'll get you to go get tickets and go to Churchill, no matter where you're at, when you see that. And then we have, um, a behind the scenes look at, at Run for the Roses, um, which is all about how they get to, to the derby. Uh, you know, it's really, uh, it's really a good piece there. And then the one, the most interesting, um, uh, you know, thing that we, that we have on here is we do a lead-up to the Kentucky Derby. Like, for example, last week we had the Arkansas derby, uh, which was really good. Um, we've gotten, uh, seven on, uh, uh, Renegade, which won the Arkansas derby. Uh, he tops the list of the Kentucky Derby, uh, hopefuls now. Uh, so now it's just a matter of getting there, uh, you know, getting there.
[09:43] Speaker 2: We also have the Twin Spires, uh, leaderboard, uh, tells you who's leading and who's getting wider and what. Uh, we've got At the Wire, which is today's live racing from across the nation. Uh, several different tracks there. We have that. Um, we also have opening day at Keeneland today, uh, on our website. Uh, those are live races from Keeneland. Go there and click on the Keeneland, um, um, um, marker there, and you can see all the races live from, uh, Keeneland. Uh, we also have Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas live today. Uh, click on there and you can see Oaklawn's races live. And then we, uh, have Tampa Bay Downs. Uh, you go and click on there again and it's all live racing. Um, we have everything pretty much live here on, uh, on, on, on IEU and MSN Equine. Uh, we would also do, uh, international races. We've got live racing from Australia on our site now.
[10:43] Speaker 2: And it- and it's really interesting to see how, you know, how they're, they're different in ways from the States, but they're all the same, you know. Uh, and you'll see that. Um, we've got a good interview with Todd Fletcher, uh, today on his, uh, Kentucky Derby horses. And, uh, it's a real good, it's a real good interview. Uh, you know, you see kind of what he goes through, uh, you know, trying to make these decisions to get win at Churchill. Uh, then there's one thing that I really do, do like is, um, uh, Keeneland, we've got the, uh, uh, they're gearing up for the opening day, which is today. And you can go in and see all the modernization and the things that they did to, um, you know, get Keeneland up to par. And that, that's what all the race tracks are doing now. And Churchill kind of started this a few years ago. Um, they, they want to make it more, uh, more, uh, advantageous for the, uh, the customer, the consumer to come in and, and enjoy, you know, the racing.
[11:45] Speaker 2: And what I like about it is they, they kind of think outside the box a little bit here. And what I mean by that is the fact that they are thinking about the cu- the customer, the consumer. Uh, what do they need and what do they want? And upgrading all the dining facilities, um, y- you know, all the seating. Uh, they, they're really thinking about, you know, what it's going to do to get a, a new customer in there.And that's why we try to be here at, at Izoo, uh, we try to get information to the consumer so it'll make them want to come in, you know, to see what all is going on. You don't have to be a horseman to look at my website. Uh, none, none whatsoever. It, it's good entertainment, you know. You, you, you wonder why and how, you know, the people do what they do when they get there. Um, we got a, a Kentucky Derby watch on there. We take different tracks that have had their, uh, you know, derby horses running there, getting ready for the, uh, uh, for the Kentucky Derby.
[12:48] Speaker 2: And we go behind the scenes and we see the race that they run in and see where they're going, if they're going on to Churchill and if they did good or if they didn't do good. You know, that, that's the big thing. Um, and tomorrow, uh, we got the San Anita Derby, uh, at, uh, from, uh, Santa Anita. You'll be able to watch that live here. It'll tell you everything you need to know about who's doing what, who's gonna win, who's not gonna win. We got the Bluegrass Stakes tomorrow, which is another derby prep race. Uh, it, it'll be live on, uh, at 10:00 AM, uh, it'll be live. Uh, you can watch that and you can see everything, 'cause the derby's four weeks away. You know, it's a real... These are the final things that, that, you know, we go through, uh, you know, to get there, and speaking of getting there, uh, on the website here, we got all the things that make the horseman's life a lot easier.
[13:44] Speaker 2: I have quick links, uh, and, and, and what I, what I mean by quick links is we have all the things that a horseman might need. We got the Bilt H- Bilt Horse Magazine on there. You click on that and that tells you all the latest going on, you know, behind the scenes that you have for the derby and all of horse racing, both domestic and international. We've got Brookledge. Brookledge, uh, is the main transporter of, of all the horses that are going to the derby, and if you need to get a horse anywhere in the country, to the airports, to anywhere, Brookledge can get you there. And that, that's for sure, because I, I worked with them for a lot of years and they're top professional. They make their own trucks and trailers in Oley, Pennsylvania, and they are good. They are really good. Um, so if you need to get a horse for that matter, whether it's a thoroughbred, pony, show horse, polo pony, Brookledge has the trucks to get you there. Also, we have Equibase.
[14:43] Speaker 2: Equibase is really a, a good, uh, thing that we've, uh, done that, uh, it tells you all the entries and gives you, uh, all the history on the horse. You go to Equibase and you put in the horse's name and, um, it'll give you to where the horse was foal at, uh, what state, uh, it'll give you, um, the auction sale price of the horse, uh, it'll give you all the statistics, where the horse has won, how much money he's made, who the trainer is, who the jockeys are. Uh, Equibase is, it gives you a lot of information. It, it's fun to get on there and just check out a horse. You can, you can check out Secretariat, uh, you know, on there, and it'll give you all the history of Se- Secretariat's races, which is good, and it's fun to get on there and just kind of, you know, see who's there. Then the other, other ones that we have, we have Jockey Club. Uh, they provide us with all the information, all the rules and regulations of the horse business, and, and they're very valuable.
[15:42] Speaker 2: And, and the reason I call it quick links is you don't have to go jumping around from place to place. I'm sending you the places that are gonna tell you and that answers your question right up front. It's gonna tell you exactly what you want to know and more. You know, it's a good learning tool. Um, then we have one of the best feeds ever, uh, for horses. It's called, um, Always Feed. Uh, you go to their website and it'll show you how they make the horse feed, where they send it to, you know, the importance of it. Um, you can tell them you got a, a, a horse that, and then, a slow doer, and that's what, what we call a horse that, that takes a long time to eat and, you know, just picks at his food. We call them slow doers. And, uh, when you call in to Always, they'll put you right in contact with the people that will check you out, figure out what's wrong with your horse and why he's not eating Uh, that, that's the good part about it. Um, then we got Walmart.
[16:40] Speaker 2: Wal- Walmart is a staple in, in the, in the, in the horse industry. Boy, if you need anything, uh, for your barn, for your horses, for your people, prescriptions, eyeglasses, you got it at Walmart. And the thing I like about them is they're all over the country, and they've got a unique system and I had this done every week to my house, wherever I'm at. If I'm here at home in Florida or if I'm in Kentucky or California or New York, Walmart delivers. Walmart will deliver to the barn, they will deliver to the house, to the apartment, they will deliver to the hospital, which they did to me, and they also will deliver to your hotel room. So you see the kind of, where I'm going here, you know, with, um, International Equine Network. We got the Weather Channel. The Weather Channel tells you what the weather is any city where you need to go. You can check the weather from, going from here in Delray Beach all the way to Lexington along the way.
[17:40] Speaker 2: That's very important to the horsemen when they're trying to decide, you know, where to go and when to shuttle. Uh, and you can avoid weather and it's very good. And last but not least, we have Trivago. Trivago gets you a hotel room anywhere. I mean, anywhere you're going, it's like we've got a hotel room for you. So, so those are just some of the people that we deliver, uh, you know, information to our horsemen, uh, via my website. Uh, things that'll help the horseman get things done quickly and with one click... uh, you know, they can go there and not have to be on the phone and, you know, chasing down things and all of that. So, it, it was interesting. And then, uh, the one thing that I, that I put on here the other day for fans and it's a good little segment and, um, we've got, uh, we've got a little piece on there about, uh, Renegade have won the Arkansas Derby. It's a great interview, and take a look at it and see what you think and then let us know.
[18:45] Speaker 2: Let us know here at, at, um, at, um, International Equine Network. Um, you'll see our, our website and, and our emails and everything on there. But tha- that's a really good segment. And then, of course, you gotta find out where, uh, all these Kentucky Derby winners and, and legends come from, uh, what, uh, our, our farm of the month, and it's Claiborne Farm in Lexington. Um, you know, we take a look at that and you'll see exactly how you're getting a thoroughbred to, uh, you know, the Kentucky Derby. It's a, it's a great segment. And then, uh, we've got a, a, a ... I mean, I'm telling you, if you want to buy a thoroughbred, our next segment that we have here on Horse Races Confirmation: How to Buy a Thoroughbred, um, it tells you what to look for and, you know, what not to look for. And it tells you, you know, it just shows you, you know, why don't you buying a horse? You're just gonna go so they look pretty and you buy them.
[19:43] Speaker 2: So, so you do that, you know, i- it's a good confirmation video. You don't have to know horses but, uh, it's real educational what you see. And then, Mike Cumpolo, which is one of the greatest guys in the world, he's a trainer, uh, he's an owner. Mike, eh, it tells the story of how he got into the horse business. And it's, (laughs) and it's really a good story. It's probably a story you don't want, you kids want to watch because, you know, when you get, when you get bit by a horse, let me tell you something, you're gone. You're gonna climb over fences, you're gonna skip school, (laughs) you know, you're gonna do a lot of things to get over there and see the horse, uh, when, when, when you get bit by the bug. So, that, that's an interesting little piece there on here. And then the, probably the most interesting part of this website and, and I worked with Todd and, you know, we, and Todd has his horses winter with us here in Del- Delray Beach at Palm Beach Center.
[20:44] Speaker 2: This segment on Todd, uh, goes quickly through the morning, what he goes through trying to get ready. Where he goes, how he goes with what he has to do, looking at the horses, you know, the things he goes through. You'll actually get tired when you see this, when you see this segment, you know, because you don't realize how, what he goes through. And then when he's through training at the track, you know, when he's gotta look at lunch, he's gotta look at the little fam- family time. And then he's got, you know, you're going to the races and you meet moments and you're calling owners and talking to them. So, it's just not, you know, a 9:00 to 5:00, you know, job. It's a seven-day-a-week job. And this shows you exactly what he does in, in his day. And it's just a little segment that we skip right through, but it's a good one to see. And then, uh, we have what we call, uh, Blood Horse Monday.
[21:34] Speaker 2: Uh, it's all about, um, Renegade, uh, and who's the top dog now for the horse and, and, uh, we've got the leader board, point standings. Um, you can find all the live coverage on msnfeepointn.com. Of course, you got economic and bloodhorse. Uh, you know, it's a good segment. And then, (laughs) this one guy who's half year, and it's really funny, he's a der- he's a derbyologist, Mr. Derbyologist, that's what I call him. But I really don't know his name. I know his name, but, you know, I, I call him the derbyologist. But, uh, he talks about the derby and gives us updates on the derby and, and who's gonna wear it, who's gonna do what, and it's gonna be really information. It's real good. And then we have, um, we have here, uh, and this is the segment that I, that I like the best on my website. I don't, you know, it's not because I put it on here or thought of it.
[22:32] Speaker 2: But, um, it's a meet the outpanding, outstanding equestrians who are creating an excitement that's all around the thoroughbred world; present, past, and future champions. And th- and this week's is Mike Smith, uh, Mike's journey to the Kentucky Derby. Uh, it's really good. It's really good when you see that. I guarantee, you watch this on how Mike gets to the Kentucky Derby, let me tell you something, my friend, you'll be watching the Kentucky Derby and I guarantee after you look at my website, I guarantee you'll be going to a horse race at some rate because there's a horse track near you that's legal horse racing. And put in your zip code and it'll take you right to the closest track that you're at. But this is good. Mike Smith, you'll like it, Journey to the Kentucky Derby. And then, um, we have, uh, a last column which we feature all the horse sales that come up, uh, how to get into buying horses and, you know, what it's all about.
[23:31] Speaker 2: And these sales are live, and you can see how they do, how they train, uh, you can see who buys what, how much they go for them. And then if you call me, uh, here at 728-888-2963, uh, I can get you some catalogs of any of the sales that, that are coming. And you may not know, know anything about horses, but at least you got a sales catalog that you can go through and, uh, and, you know, read all about them and everything. And then when the sale auction goes live on, um, on, on msnfeepoint.com, you can look at, at the pages and see how much they go for. Some of them go for millions of dollars. Others go for $1500, $1600 when they win 1000, you know, dollars in right off at the track and then they end up winning, you know, $100,000.... um, so I guess y- you can say, well, we'll try our best, but that's called Last Call.
[24:29] Speaker 2: And the reason I call it Last Call is those are going to come from the call to buy the horse, so they're going to come from the salesmen, the phone, or through the internet. You know, and those are the three options they have with which they can buy. And the other thing is too, is, like if you're in Lexington, you can go to Fasig-Tipton in the Kingdom Sales when they have an auction, and you can go and see the auction for free. It's a good family thing. You can go over and you can see some future champions there. Um, you know, you can see how the auction goes. Uh, we got you a catalog and, you know, it's a great thing to do. It's great for the family. You get to walk around the backside of Kingdom and, and the front side of Kingdom and you get to walk through the barns and see where all the horses are at, and it's free. It's free. You guys gotta go. You know, that's what it's all about, getting the family out there, getting interested, man.
[25:22] Speaker 2: And then the last one is, (laughs) you know, every morning when I get up, I do my international, um, racing. Today it's called Foreign Fr- Foreign Friday at Royal Randwick, Australia. It's championship races. The Royal Randwick, Australia Championships. And it, and it, it was live on, on, on MSN Equine today. And let me tell you, you think I confuse with the way I talk. (laughs) Wait till you see that one. That, that, that's the one that keeps you glued to it. And I guarantee a few days later you'll be saying some things in, in a, with a, a little Australian accent. It'll be good. And then w- we also have, um, a- a segment here that's called Chukker. It's a polo, and most of the horses in polo are thoroughbreds. They're retired thoroughbred horses. And that's why we like to show on here, that what happens to the thoroughbreds after they retire from racing. And a lot of them go to the Off Track Thoroughbred, um, uh, Association. Uh, they become show horses, uh, trail horses.
[26:35] Speaker 2: Uh, you know, they have a second purpose, when they stop, when they stop racing. Because a lot of horses were used to doing, you know, routine seven days a week, you know, they have to have a purpose. And the purpose, uh, a lot of these horses met are polo. And they, and they are, they're the show horses. And it's really nice to see some of these show horses that, um, you know, they get out there, they can go off the track. And I'll give you a quick story here real quick, now. One time they started the Off Track Thoroughbred Association up in Maryland, and they had, um, a show up there, and they actually had, um, the trainer of the horse and dealing with it, they had the owner was there, they had the jockey that was there, and the groomer was there. Um, and they got to see the whole show. So they got the whole group back together for the show, you know, to just see the secondary, uh, life that they had.
[27:31] Speaker 2: And that's what it's all about is taking care of these animals and making sure they've got a purpose in life. And that's what they did. You know, so that, that's pretty good. And then, uh, to close out here, we're getting questions, closing out here. If you go to, um, the bottom of my page, it's How They Get There, the 2026 Kentucky Derby. And, uh, it's got a day schedule of the derby, uh, week. It tells you everything that's going on, um, you know, at Churchill Downs and Derby Week. Uh, so that, we have that. And then we have Triple Crown Traditions, um, which it starts out with, um, next year, a year from now, we're going to have a derby, uh, trainer, a derby owner, and a derby jockey. We're going to have a cook-off contest. And they're going to have, uh, three recipes, and they're going to have the cook-off contest. And the winner in the cook-off contest will go over to, uh, from Churchill.
[28:33] Speaker 2: Uh, they, then we'll have one from Pimlico in Baltimore, the Maryland crabs, and, you know, the whole nine yards. It's like a Kentucky with a very, very, uh, you know, we make juleps and everything. And then, uh, we go to New York. We go to New York and we have a cook-off between a, a jockey, you know, an owner, and, um, you know, a, a, a trainer, all from e- each area. And then, at the end of the, at the end of the year, we go to the Breeders Cup, and we have the three winners, one from each track, and they're going to have a Breeders Cup cook-off to see who the, who the, uh, Breeders Cup champion will be for the cook-off. So, you know, we're making a lo- a lot of headway here. We've got a lot of work on the website to do to get it updated. Um, but just to let you know that we are 29 days, three hours, no minutes, and 35 seconds till the Kentucky Derby. So we hope you get out to the Kentucky Derby and we hope you come back there.
[29:34] Speaker 2: Um, msmepline.com and International Equine Network, and all's I can say, they're in the gate.
[29:47] Speaker 1: Hey! Whoo! Oh, from the stories told to the races won. Every journey ends where it all begun. Legends run but the track remains. Echoes of glory in the rains. Through the dust and the dreams, through the fire and flame. Every finish line remembers your name. At the wire! Where the spirit never dies. At the wire! See the truth in every stride. We'll see you at the wire!
