Brad Blanks

Hi, Jared.

How are you, mate?

Yes, back again.

Yeah, love it.

One of the great events, a celebration of Americana.

It's sort of where the northeast all flies in, the west coasters fly in, and it's sort of the beginning of the south here in Kentucky, and Louisville rocks for about five days straight.

It's awesome to see when you hear Aussie accents walking through the beautiful big grandstand there underneath the Twin Spires.

And, yeah, 25 years ago, it was 2001, and I came here as a young junior reporter.

And, uh, I'd be out, out the back, uh, you know, the backside, they call it of Churchill downs in the mornings interviewing trainers.

And I was lucky enough.

I,

My first big interview is with Bob Baffert.

You know, he's like the star of Churchill Downs.

He's won a few Kentucky Derbies.

I brought two legends together.

It was a great moment as an up-and-comer in the world of sports reporting.

And I've never looked back.

This will be my 19th Kentucky Derby coming up this Saturday.

I grew up loving Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup and attending those as a young fella.

And I wanted to get here and experience Kentucky.