KENTUCKY — The bluegrass state’s premier horse racing attraction, the Kentucky Derby was held for the first time in history, on the first Saturday in September, not May, without any spectators in the stands.
The final attendance numbers was around 11,000 and that total included members of the media, trainers, essential staff at Churchill downs and jockeys and other horse ownership groups.
One of those horse ownership groups included the owners of Derby contender Necker Island, the first group of African-American owners to participate in a Derby race in 13 years.
Greg Harbut is the President of Harbut Bloodstock, which owns Necker Island, who finished 9th in Kentucky Derby 146.
During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Harbut shares how COVID-19 affected his first-ever derby experience as an owner.
Plus, Harbut gives advice to minority youths on why they should seek out opportunties in the horse racing industry as a future career path.