LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's the first Monday in May, so I'll keep it down. In these parts, it might take more than one cup of coffee to get going — certainly true for me.
As a sports journalist in Louisville, this is always a day to ask "Now what?" We go from covering a global event in our backyard to wondering how to fill the silence. There's a certain adrenaline drain when it ends.
Last year, that couldn't be the case. The PGA Championship was two weeks away. And new coaches at Kentucky and Louisville screamed for more coverage as they built rosters.
This year is more normal. And there's nothing wrong with normal. In the old days, the week after the Derby meant "On to Pimlico."
It's not the old days anymore, not even for the horses. A day is coming when you'll see no Derby horses run back in the Preakness. I'd be very surprised if Derby winner Sovereignty tried it. Journalism's trainer, Mike McCarthy, seems to be considering it. I'm not so sure that will happen.
With Belmont Park still under construction and Pimlico in desperate need of renovation, now's the perfect moment to modernize the Triple Crown. Push the Preakness to the first Saturday in June, the Belmont to July. If we want to see Derby horses in all three races, that's how it happens.
And what about the fillies? Shouldn't the best of them have a clearer path to the Derby? Even a modest change — awarding partial Derby points in Oaks preps — could leave the door open.
That doesn't necessarily need to happen. I don't know that many owners of fillies would avail themselves of the option. But having it would be nice.
While I seem to be on a "change" kick, Rick Bozich pointed out in a Sports Page segment last week that if he could make one change in the Derby, he'd move the post time back to 6 p.m. from 7. A lot of restaurant owners in Louisville would disagree. The later post, while great for TV viewership, isn't good for their business.
(An aside: A longtime Derby Day tradition from my newspaper days was a crew of ink-stained reporters descending on The Bristol on Bardstown Road after the race. These days, with post times stretching to 7 p.m. and traffic dragging us home near 10, the only place we descend is bed. But I still remember the laughter and griping — about the wrong horse winning or a brilliant headline being neutered. One year, copy editor Dave Roos' "Thunder Over Lukasville!" became the bland "Long shot Thunder Gulch wins the roses." Sportswriters, if nothing else, know how to gripe. Maybe you've noticed.)
My one change in the Derby would be a discount for residents of Kentucky and southern Indiana. The price has become prohibitive. Give the locals 10% off. The goodwill alone would be worth the minor income reduction.
Kudos to WDRB's Steve Andress, who provided readers the Derby trifecta in his pre-race breakdown of recent Derby trends. And to Rick Bozich, who picked the winner, Sovereignty.
I picked Journalism. Seems to be a habit.
Quick sips
- Congrats to 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, who didn't win his Derby Day allowance at Gulfstream Park, but did return to form, finishing a spirited second. No Derby winner has won a race since 2021 winner Mandaloun. Sovereignty looks as if he could end that skid. If Mystik Dan doesn't beat him to it.
- A special shout out to Kevin Kerstein of Churchill Downs publicity, for doing double duty after Churchill's senior director of communications Darren Rogers was sidelined by Derby-week gallbladder surgery. Wishing Darren a quick recovery.
- Looking ahead, it's a big week for LouCity FC. The Boys and Purple not only will face an MLS opponent, Minnesota United, in the US Open Cup on Wednesday night, they'll do it in Lynn Family Stadium.
- In case you missed it, TV ratings for the Kentucky Derby were up yet again. An average of 17.7 million watched the NBC telecast, with 21.8 million watching the actual race segment itself. More on that here.
The Last Drop
"He was not comfortable on the sloppy track. ... He just lost his action and motivation."
-- Christophe Lemaire, jockey for last-place Derby finisher Admire Daytona, on his colt's struggles.
On the first Monday in May, we can all relate.
Kentucky Derby Coverage:
Sovereignty wins 151st running of the Kentucky Derby
CRAWFORD | Coming up Roses: NBC posts record viewership as the Derby outpaces its sport
CRAWFORD | A Sovereign Ride: Junior Alvarado’s patience, precision deliver Derby glory
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