SPORTS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - If you have plans to go to Churchill Downs on Wednesday, here’s what you can expect. May 1 is Champions Day, a day that shines a spotlight on the rich history of the Kentucky Derby. This year, Churchill Downs is paying tribute to the extraordinary Kentucky champions who have excelled across a diverse spectrum of sports.

Cheryl Stephens Crouch revisits her uncle Woody Stephens's 1974 victory in the 100th Kentucky Derby as trainer of Cannonade and shares that the race always meant the world to him before the win in his fifth attempt.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s just four days until Kentucky Derby 150. One contender who is likely being overlooked is Stronghold. Stronghold is the Santa Anita Derby winner for trainer Phil D’amato. That’s normally a key race to predict Kentucky Derby success. Stronghold has never finished worse...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Governor Andy Beshear joined officials in honoring a formerly enslaved Black horse trainer who trained Aristides and the announcement of the 2024 Class of the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. These events happened at Churchill Downs on Champions Day during Derby Week. Beshear honored Ansel Williamson,...

CLAY CITY, Ky. (WKYT) - A young man from Powell County is traveling all over the state to shoot hoops and raise awareness for autism. There are 120 counties in Kentucky, and the Barnett family has already visited 71 of them. It’s their love for their son that keeps them...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Saffie Joseph Jr. embraces this year’s hectic preparation for the milestone 150th Kentucky Derby a little more than usual because he didn’t know if such a moment would happen again after last spring’s tragic events here. Losing two horses after racing just days apart was painful enough for the trainer as he primed another for the 149th Derby. Then came the indefinite suspension and subsequent Derby scratch of entrant Lord Miles by Churchill Downs, as the historic track endured a heartbreaking spate of 12 horse fatalities around its marquee race. 1. Joseph-trained Parents Pride and Chasing Artie were among seven horses that died in the week leading up to the Derby, followed by two more on the undercard. A subsequent investigation found no wrongdoing and Joseph was reinstated; but the discipline, the excruciating wait for the outcome and negative spotlight thrust upon him still stung. “What happened was very concerning, and then to have that and be suspended, that wasn’t the right approach, I thought,” Joseph said Wednesday morning. “It crushed me because I love my horses, I love what I do and then to be portrayed that way. … That was frustrating.

When Hall of Famer Wayne Lukas sends out Just Steel (Justify) in this year's GI Kentucky Derby it will be his first starter in the race since 2018. Lukas, 88, is a perpetual optimist, but even he had to be worrying that he had had his last Derby starter. It wasn't Lukas. Even at his age he never slowed down. It was the sport's top owners. Many wouldn't send a horse to an octogenarian, knocking on the door of 90, even one considered to be one of the greatest trainers ever.

CINCINNATI (CN) — The initial order of finish in a horse race is the only "official" result for betting purposes under Kentucky law, an appeals court panel ruled Thursday when it upheld the dismissal of a group of bettors' negligence and unjust enrichment claims. Medina Spirit, a racehorse entered...

West Memorial became the first winner for freshman sire Caracaro (by Uncle Mo) with an upset win over the boys in the Kentucky Juvenile S. at Churchill Downs on Thursday. The John Hancock trainee was a close second on debut at Keeneland Apr. 7. Overlooked at 17-1 here, the bay...

(KBSI) – May is National Motorcycle and Bike Safety Awareness Month. Whether you ride, pedal or drive, Kentuckians are reminded to watch out for each other as spring weather draws more highway users across the state. “We typically see more and more motorcycles and bicycles riding along with us...

Easterseals is once again hosting their iCan Bike camp this June for kids who need help learning how to ride a bike. Registration for the camp costs $200 and will take place from June 3 to June 7 for 75 minutes of daily riding.

Bloomington Speedway finally got to open the curtain on 2024 after losing to Mother Nature 2 times. The Roddy Memorial was set for night 1 and even though the car count was light the stars were loaded in the pits with some of the best from Kentucky versus our tough UMP heroes of Indiana. Single car qualifying was the setup and Cole Followay was fast time followed by Tyler Loughmiller, Josh Harris, Trent Young and Jerrod Deckard. 3 Kentucky and 2 Indiana in the top 5. Heat races were setup with an invert spin of 2. Heat race 1 Josh Harris was able to hold on for the win over Cole Falloway, Cole Parker, RT Gamble and Derek Groomer. Heat race 2 had Trent Young hold off Tyler Loughmiller, Logan Mounce, James Walters and Ben Harmon. This setup the 2009 to win 30 lap main event for the Roddy. The front row of Josh Harris and Trent Young would be the 2 Kentucky drivers that would definitely show their strength from the bluegrass state because both of them would take turns at the lead some. Josh Harris after the halfway point was really good dicing through the traffic and built a good lead. Josh was really setting a fast pace as during the final 5 laps they were about to lap up to 8th place in the A main. Trent Young had a great battle early in the 10Y and was able to lead some also as the red clay was good on the top and bottom. The last 5 laps it was the battle for 2nd between Trent and Cole Falloway and the battle for 4th between Tyler Loughmiller and Cole Parker. Josh Harris was able to hit his marks perfect the final 3 laps of the 30 and secure the big win for early in 2024. At the finish it was Josh Harris, Cole Falloway, Trent Young, Cole Parker, Tyler Loughmiller, James Walters, Ben Harmon, Logan Mounce, RT Gamble and Derek Groomer. Thanks to all of them for an awesome 30 laps in honor of Roddy and definitely thanks to all the teams, fans and the awesome Harris family that keeps the race going for the guy we miss in the 9H.