A friendly Mott vs. Mott competition is a highlight of Derby 152

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — When Riley Mott sees his sons William and Tucker playing at his barn, he is reminded of how he grew up.

"You know the horses are my first love," said Riley Mott. "This is what I've always wanted to do. The racetrack has been my playground my entire life. So it is very special to not only be here professionally and doing what I love, but to have my family involved as well is very gratifying."

Riley Mott went out on his own about three and-a-half years ago after learning from one of the best in the business, his dad Bill Mott.

"You know he started working at the barn at a very early age," said Bill Mott. "Being around, filling water buckets and raking up. He started from the very bottom and worked his way up and he was an assistant trainer for me for a number of years and it was finally time for him to go out on his own. I think he was very brave about it. I think he took that step and it's a little like the restaurant business. It's very easy to fail in this business. Now he's doing it on his own and doing a very good job I must say."

And now they're competing against each other on the sport's biggest stage.

"I'm staying at his house and we're not talking too much smack," said Bill Mott with a smile.

Bill Mott, a Hall of Famer with two Derby triumphs, will saddle the talented but lightly-raced Chief Wallabee.

Riley Mott has a pair going in his first Derby. Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt.

"I compare him to a race car," said Riley Mott. "He's got a lot of gears under the hood. He's always at your fingertips when you need him and when you press the go button he accelerates very well."

And Wood Memorial winner Albus.

"He's more of a grinder type, very workmanlike," Riley Mott continued. "He doesn't do anything very flashy, but he's a big, beautiful large-striding horse."

And what about little William, age 3 and Tucker, 1 1/2? Could there be a third generation of Motts training down the road?

"They both love it. They both love being here," said Riley Mott. "Yes, I wouldn't take anything away from them if that was what their passion was. My dad was the same. He never encouraged me to get into the horses but he never discouraged me from doing it. So I think let them find their own way and hope they're happy."