Race for the Crown episode 3 recap: The Road to the Derby - Part 2

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

The episode opens with a harrowing moment from jockey Frankie Dettori’s past: in June 2000, he and a fellow jockey survived a plane crash, though the pilot was trapped and died in the wreckage. At the time, Dettori was newly married with a six-month-old baby. A month earlier, he had ridden in his only Kentucky Derby, finishing sixth. After the crash, Dettori battled depression and trauma and contemplated leaving racing. Ultimately, he decided that his love for the sport was stronger than his fear.

“Twenty-four years later, I am back to where I started: Hoping to have a shot at the Kentucky Derby,” Dettori said. 

On the eve of the Santa Anita Derby, Dettori shares a meal with Italian jockeys Umberto Rispoli and Antonio Fresu, who affectionately call him zio—Italian for "uncle." All three have mounts the next day. 

Dettori proves he can be a factor in America, winning six races on the Santa Anita Derby undercard, including the Santa Anita Oaks (G2). In the big race, he finishes a neck behind Fresu, who earns his first American Grade 1 victory. At the close of the episode, Dettori receives news that he has picked up the mount on Society Man for the Kentucky Derby.

This episode also introduces jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., his wife Jamie, and their children at their Kentucky farm, where the kids stage a pony race. Hernandez comes from a racing family: his father was a jockey in Louisiana, and his grandfather owned thoroughbreds.

“Right before Jamie and I got married, back in 2011, I was struggling career-wise, and it looked like we were going to have to pack up and move back to Louisiana,” Hernandez said. “And then, in 2012, I won the Breeders’ Cup Classic [on Fort Larned]. Everything changed.”

After that breakthrough, Hernandez began riding regularly for trainer Kenny McPeek, and the two have worked closely ever since. 

“My first impressions of Kenny were he’s just larger than life and really, really dedicated,” Hernandez said. “He lives and breathes horse racing.” 

McPeek comes across as affable and good-natured. He and Hernandez look ahead to the Arkansas Derby with Mystik Dan, their Derby hopeful. McPeek reflects on his career: ten years in, at age 32, he saddled his first Kentucky Derby runner, Tejano Run, who finished second in 1995.

“Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in the Kentucky Derby eight other times,” McPeek said. “But that’s the closest I’ve ever been.”  

The night before the Arkansas Derby, McPeek grills steaks at his home so close to Oaklawn Park that they can see the races from the balcony.

“I like the adventure of racing: Finding a good horse and winning a big race at a big place,” he said. “A good horse will take you all over the world. The hard part is finding a top horse.” 

On a beautiful Arkansas Derby day, McPeek enjoys a monster afternoon, winning four races. His standout runner, Thorpedo Anna, dominates the Fantasy S. (G2), Oaklawn’s premier prep for the Kentucky Oaks. After getting bumped during the Arkansas Derby, Mystik Dan finishes third, good enough to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. 

“We like winning, but it’s okay,” McPeek says after the race. “To finish at least third is what we wanted. We were a little unlucky today, but maybe we’ll be luckier next time.” 

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