The annual Kentucky Derby Trainers Dinner will be held April 27, at the Hyatt Regency located in downtown Louisville. The event features cocktails, dinner, Derby prep race presentations, and one-on-one interviews with the trainers of the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders.
The dinner’s popularity with Derby party-goers is primarily due to the number of industry participants (trainers, jockeys, owners, and breeders) who attend the event as well as the interview format that generates added interest, and often several surprises. Guests of the event get a ringside seat as thoroughbred industry media emcees Todd Schrupp and Paul Rogers pose some tough questions to each trainer.
“It’s live – no edited stories from these interviews,” said newcomer emcee Todd Schrupp, racing analyst at TVG, in a statement. “Once those trainers get the microphone, it becomes their show. I’ve been an audience member of this event for many years and I know I’ve got some big shoes to fill in replacing Chris Lincoln. I’m excited to be a part of this entertaining format–some of it lies and alibis–but still a firsthand account from the trainer’s themselves.”
“It’s really a fun event and we often have several stories to recant the next morning on the backside,” added Paul Rogers, WHAS Radio and co-emcee, in a release. “We try to ask questions that haven’t been asked throughout the week. Our format is a little more relaxed than a typical TV or radio interview. The Derby trainers are among their peers, and it’s great to have their personalities revealed.”
Again this year, a $1,000 scholarship will be named for every Kentucky Derby trainer who makes an appearance at the event.
Naming scholarships for each of the Derby trainers was an idea that accomplished two goals for our organization. First, we encourage participation of Derby trainers, who are the stars of our evening. And secondly, we give added meaning to the scholarship as recipients will have a link to the achievement that these great trainers have accomplished simply by having and preparing a Derby horse.
Tickets for the event are $150 per person. For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, contact Vickie Garcia, KTOB/KTA, at 859-259-1643.