Sara Dacus

Sara Dacus is a lifelong Arkansan who teaches eighth grade English. While she was dating her now-husband, he took her to Oaklawn Park, and a love affair with both ignited. Dacus is now an avid racing enthusiast who follows the sport closely.

Kentucky Oaks Roundup: 50-point races begin

Thu Feb 12 2026Sara Dacus

The Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds is the first of the 50-point prep races and was the penultimate race for 2025 Oaks winner Good Cheer and owners Godolphin. This year, Godolphin enters morning-line favorite Bella Ballerina, who was victorious in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs and is unbeaten in two career starts.
Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Thrilling three-prep weekend ahead

Thu Feb 05 2026Sara Dacus

The 2026 Kentucky Oaks (G1), which will be broadcast in primetime for the first time, is 85 days away. Here’s a look at the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues:
Race for the Crown Episode 6 Recap: The Belmont Stakes

Wed May 07 2025Sara Dacus

The Belmont S. (G1)—the Test of the Champion—gets the spotlight in the sixth and final episode of "Race for the Crown."
Race for the Crown episode 5 recap: The Preakness

Mon May 05 2025Sara Dacus

The Preakness—the middle jewel of the Triple Crown—takes center stage in episode 5 of Race for the Crown. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan enters the second leg of the series with history on the line. A win at Pimlico would put him just one race away from becoming the 14th horse to sweep the Triple Crown.
Race for the Crown episode 4 recap: The Kentucky Derby - Photo Finish

Fri May 02 2025Sara Dacus

Episode 4 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Kentucky Derby: Photo Finish,” captures Derby Week's electricity—from the post position draw to the grand parade to the exclusive trainers’ dinner.
20 songs for your Kentucky Derby playlist

Thu May 01 2025Sara Dacus

Do you know these 20 familiar songs referencing horse racing or the Kentucky Derby?
Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2

Tue Apr 29 2025Sara Dacus

Race for the Crown episode 3—titled "The Road to the Derby: Part 2"—slightly deviates from the chronological sequence of the 2024 Derby preps, focusing on the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Race for the Crown episode 2 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 1

Fri Apr 25 2025Sara Dacus

Episode 2 of Race for the Crown, titled “The Road to the Derby – Part 1,” highlights two critical Kentucky Derby prep races: the Florida Derby (G1) and the Blue Grass S. (G1), both offering Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers.
Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports

Fri Apr 25 2025Sara Dacus

Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.”
Race for the Crown Premiers on Netflix: Follow Along with TwinSpires

Wed Apr 23 2025Sara Dacus

Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Watch Netflix's Race for the Crown along with TwinSpires

Mon Apr 21 2025Sara Dacus

TwinSpires will recap each episode of Netflix's Race for the Crown as we count down to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
Remembering the Run for the Roses: longtime attendee looks back on his best Derby memories

Sun May 08 2022Sara Dacus

Charles VanDyne has attended approximately 60 editions of the Kentucky Derby. The still-practicing attorney from Ada, Ohio, who has been in his present office for 66 years, is proud to say he is 91 years old.
Art Sherman's lifetime horsemanship hit the stratosphere

Mon Dec 20 2021Sara Dacus

Art Sherman had a storied career in horse racing before California Chrome walked into it.