Fans Compare Travis Kelce to a ‘Golden Retriever’ After His Excited Reaction to a Race on Derby Day

Travis Kelce’s obvious excitement about a race on Derby Day reminded some fans of the behavior often displayed by one very lovable animal.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end joined the throng of celebrities gathered at Churchill Downs on Sat., May 4 for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby . Fans were thrilled by Kelce’s outfit choice for the event , which included a white pinstripe suit and a navy fedora that had a small blue feather stuck in its brim.

The NFL player arrived at the track in time to watch several horse races before the Run for the Roses Saturday evening. In a video that the Kentucky Derby’s official Instagram account shared with fans, Kelce stood in the stands watching one race unfold, growing more and more excited as the horses neared the finish line.

Kelce started jumping up and down in excitement and turned around in a half-circle, seemingly pleased with the race’s final result. He had a huge smile on his face as he celebrated the win.

The Derby’s Instagram account added a text overlay to the video that read, “When you show up to the Kentucky Derby and your first bet hits.” The video’s caption tagged Kelce’s account as it noted he was “off to a hot start at the Kentucky Derby.”

Fans who reposted the video on social media shared their own reactions to the football star’s excitement. One person explained on X , formerly Twitter, that Kelce was “jumping up and down cause his first bet hit” and added, “that’s a golden retriever lol.”

“Excitement like a little kid. He and Taylor really are similar,” another fan tweeted, referring to Kelce’s pop star girlfriend, Taylor Swift .

Though some fans were hopeful that the “Cruel Summer” singer would join Kelce at the Derby, he appeared to be there with friends. The Kentucky Derby, which is the first of three jewels in horse racing’s Triple Crown, is taking place this year just days before Swift’s international Eras Tour is due to resume in Europe. Her next concert date is May 9 in Paris.

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