KSR Today: A Backside Morning at Churchill Downs

Earlier this week, Kentucky Sports Radio debuted a new show, the Monday Happy Hour. The show will feature a rotating cast in the weeks and months to come, but since it’s Derby Week, I got a first stab at the round table. I believe it was Drew who asked why I love Derby so much. It’s a long story, but there are so many wonderful moments throughout the week.

There is the eventful journey home from the track that always creates a few memorable moments. One year, I made half of it with a tarp over my head. There’s the screaming through the Infield tunnel, that feeling of grass beneath your toes inside the Infield, and the emotions that come with the singing of My Old Kentucky Home.

Before all of the chaos, there is quiet chaos on the backside of Churchill Downs. This morning, I was able to make the trek to see the Derby and Oaks horses test out the track before the biggest races of their lives. The sky is dark, but the entire backside is filled with life. The smells are pungent. There are sounds of horses whinnying that cut through the quiet, before reaching the area that is buzzing, filled with tents for morning TV and radio shows. Wise guys share who is really training well before the race.

It’s a scene unlike any other and is one of the final checkpoints that let’s you know the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports in right around the corner.

I’m well aware that the Kentucky Derby isn’t at the forefront of every reader’s mind this week. Allow me to exit my Twin Spired bubble to share the latest from around Big Blue Nation.

A New Basketball Portal Target

It looked like Kentucky was finished recruiting in the transfer portal until Travis Perry‘s last-minute defection. That opened up a roster spot and Mark Pope appears to be kicking the tires on another player.

On Tuesday, we learned that Kentucky has been in contact with former Miami guard Divine Ugochukwu. The Texas native started in 16 of 28 games as a true freshman for the struggling Hurricanes. It’s unclear how far this recruitment may go, but Zack Geoghegan has everything you need to know about the new player on the Wildcats’ Big Board.

Kentucky Basketball Recruiting All over the Country

Aside from yesterday’s development, there hasn’t been a ton of transfer portal news in the world of Kentucky basketball. That doesn’t mean Mark Pope and his staff have stopped recruiting. From Arizona to Georgia and so many places in between, Kentucky coaches are meeting with players face-to-face to create connections in what will be an important recruiting class for the second-year head coach. Jack Pilgrim has all of the details of the Cats’ recruiting stops.

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Kentucky Football Transfer Portal Developments

Transfer portal buzz is also quieter for the football program, but there were still a few noteworthy recent events. The most eye-catching news was that Kendrick Gilbert is transferring from Kentucky to Louisville. Originally recruited to Purdue by Jeff Brohm’s staff, the move makes sense. The undersized defensive line struggled with weight during his tenure at Kentucky, but it probably won’t be as big of an issue in the ACC.

Kentucky looked at a couple of wide receivers during the spring transfer portal period. Keelan Marion committed to Miami. On Tuesday, another UK wide receiver target pledged his allegiance to the Canes when Cincinnati wideout Tony Johnson announced his decision. Even though the Florida native is off the board, Kentucky still has a shot at another pass-catcher. Jackson State wide receiver Isaiah Spencer recently wrapped up an official visit to Lexington.

Kentucky Baseball Drops Another Midweek Game

It looked like the Bat Cats were on the verge of a quality midweek win. WKU was recently in the Top 25. A win in Bowling Green would have been a solid resume builder for the streaking Kentucky baseball team. They jumped out to a 3-0 lead, unfortunately, a lead that would not last.

A couple of fielding errors gave WKU an opportunity to strike. They quickly tied up the game, then turned it into a three-run lead. Kentucky had to sit through a lengthy rain delay before ultimately falling 6-4 to the Tops. The Bat Cats are back in action this weekend on the road against a Mississippi State team that just fired their coach.

Are You Ready for the Great Steamboat Race?

Nothing gets the blood pumping quite like the adrenaline rush that follows three large boats puttering down the Ohio River. The 62-year tradition continues this afternoon when the Belle of Louisville, Belle of Cincinnati, and the Mary M. Miller race for the Silver Antlers in the final major Kentucky Derby Festival event. The Great Steamboat Race begins at the Wharf at 6 PM ET and lasts about two hours.

The event is all about what you make of it. Enter with low expectations. If the weather is nice (and it’s not looking nice), it can be a fun evening with your kids on the river before Saturday’s race, which will be much, much quicker.