It is the only horse race the vast majority of Americans watch each year, the only one in which the storylines are always compelling and the winner becomes an instant star. Saturday’s running of the 138th Kentucky Derby remains a must-see event for both the casual fan and the railbird. Randy Moss is a race analyst for NBC, and he and the team at the network are busy putting together a number of features for Saturday’s telecast. This will mark the 32nd year that Moss, one of the most respected reporters in the business, will be covering the Kentucky Derby.
What makes the Kentucky Derby so special?
Moss » “I know that it may sound corny, but this is a tradition. It is a ‘bucket list event,’ something every sports fan should see in person if they can. It is like stepping back in time to a day at the races. Everyone gets dressed up, men in the best spring suits and women with their distinctive hats, its color and pageantry. It is also about great horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew and so many others who performed in front of the Churchill Downs twin spires.”
What horses do you like at this year’s Derby?
Moss » “This is a much deeper field than we have had in a few years. Bodemeister, Gemologist, Union Rags and Dullahan are all the favorites and very capable of winning. But people would be wise to keep an eye out for Hansen, Creative Cause and I’ll Have Another. Any one of those three horses could crash the party.”
What have you learned in your 32 years of covering the Derby?
Moss » “That this race is the great equalizer. I have seen kings and presidents of Fortune 500 companies all come here only to lose to four guys who put up $10,000 dollars each to enter a horse in the race with no expectation of winning. You have the ultra rich taking advice from a trainer’s assistant who sleeps in the stables. The best thing about the Derby is we are never at a loss for great stories and colorful characters.”
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!, on washingtonexaminer.com.
