Good times and priceless moments with the personalities that made up the "sea of Humanity" that made for a very festive crowd on a very WET Kentucky Derby 151!

This time we cross paths with the one and only Bruce Asmussen-aka-"THE PBR PATRIOT".

Soozie is a film director, producer, & environmental advocate based in Louisville, Kentucky.

She is notably recognized for her work in documentary filmmaking, with a focus on environmental and health-related topics.

Critical aspects of Soozie Eastman's career and contributions include:

1. Documentary Filmmaking: Eastman has produced and directed documentary films that often highlight environmental and health issues. Her work in this field focuses on raising awareness and educating the public on important topics.
2. Environmental Advocacy: In line with her professional work, Eastman advocates ecological conservation and sustainability. Her films and other projects often aim to inspire action and change in these areas.
3. "Overload: America's Toxic Love Story": One of her notable projects is the documentary "Overload: America's Toxic Love Story," which explores the issue of chemical exposure in everyday life and its impact on health. This film reflects her dedication to highlighting lesser-known environmental and health problems.
4. Community Engagement: Eastman is involved in her local community in Louisville, engaging in initiatives that promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
5. Educational and Public Speaking Roles: In addition to her filmmaking, Eastman may also engage in academic roles, public speaking, and presentations, where she shares her expertise and insights on environmental issues, filmmaking, and advocacy.

An American filmmaker and producer based in Louisville, Kentucky.

She has been involved in various documentary and narrative filmmaking projects, as well as film festival administration.

Eastman has been recognized for her work, particularly in documentary films that delve into social and environmental issues.

She has produced and directed Overload: America's Toxic Love Story, By the Wayside, and Meant to Be.

Soozie Eastman has also been involved in the Louisville film community, often serving as a proponent of the arts and filmmaking in the region.

She has collaborated with several organizations to promote filmmaking as both an art form and a viable career option for aspiring artists in Kentucky and beyond.

Kentucky Derby

• • Winner 7 times (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2023) – though the 2021 victory with Medina Spirit was later disqualified.

Preakness Stakes

• • Winner 8 times (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2023).

Belmont Stakes

• • Winner 3 times (2001, 2015, 2018).

Triple Crown Victories

• • American Pharaoh (2015) ended a 37-year drought, the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978.

  • Justify (2018) became only the second undefeated horse to win the Triple Crown.

Breeders' Cup Success

• • Multiple Breeders' Cup victories, including the Classic, Sprint, and Juvenile races.

Awards & Recognition

• • Four-time Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer.

  • Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2009.

  • Consistently ranked among the all-time leading trainers in purse earnings.

• Baffert has been at the center of medication controversies and suspensions. Notably, Medina Spirit failed a post-Kentucky Derby drug test in 2021, leading to disqualification.

• These controversies have tarnished his public image but have not erased his impact as one of the most dominant trainers in modern history.

On May 17, 2025, Umberto Rispoli didn't just win a horse race; he galloped into the history books. With a masterful and gutsy ride aboard the formidable colt Journalism, he conquered the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first Italian jockey ever to win a jewel of the American Triple Crown. It was a moment that solidified his place among the world's elite riders and marked the pinnacle of a journey that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Join us for a conversation with a man whose story is one of resilience, ambition, and relentless drive. From the tough streets of Scampia, Naples, to the winner's circles in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris, Umberto has consistently proven his mettle. After dominating the Italian racing circuit and setting a national record with 245 wins in a single year, he took his talent global, capturing Group 1 victories on multiple continents.

In late 2019, he brought his saddle to Southern California, and the American racing scene hasn't been the same since. In just a few years, he has amassed nearly $50 million in earnings and guided champions like Rock Your World, Smooth Like Strait, and Going to Vegas to Grade 1 glory. His 2025 season has been particularly sensational, highlighted by victories in the Santa Anita Derby and a historic triumph at Pimlico.

What does it take to spot a diamond in the rough? In this episode, we chart the incredible career of trainer and bloodstock agent Kenny McPeek, a man whose legacy is built on skill, persistence, and an unparalleled eye for equine talent.

Born at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, but a true son of Lexington, Kentucky, Kenny McPeek has racing in his blood. Since earning his license in 1985, he has meticulously built a reputation for transforming modestly-bred yearlings into elite competitors. His breakout moment on the national stage came in 2002 when he guided Harlan's Holiday to a Florida Derby win, only to top it months later by saddling 70-1 longshot Sarava to win the Belmont Stakes, playing the ultimate spoiler to a Triple Crown bid.

But 2024 would prove to be his most historic year yet. McPeek accomplished a rare and coveted feat, winning the Kentucky Oaks with the formidable Thorpedo Anna and then capturing the Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan just one day later. It was the first time a trainer had swept both iconic races since 1952.

Join us as we unpack the key moments, the legendary horses, and the philosophy that has made Kenny McPeek not just a Triple Crown-winning trainer, but a true master of the sport.

In the world of American Thoroughbred racing, few names carry as much weight as Steve Asmussen. Born into a horse-racing dynasty in Gettysburg, South Dakota, his path seemed destined for the racetrack. With a trainer for a father and a mother also deeply involved with horses, the sport is in his blood. His brother, Cash Asmussen, found international fame as a jockey, and Steve himself had a brief career in the saddle before his height and weight guided him toward training, the field where he would leave an indelible mark.

Since taking out his trainer's license in 1986, Asmussen's ascent has been nothing short of historic. He is now the winningest trainer in the history of North American racing, a monumental achievement he secured in 2021 before surpassing the unprecedented 10,000-win milestone in 2023. His consistent excellence was recognized with back-to-back Eclipse Awards as the nation's Outstanding Trainer in 2008 and 2009, and his career was immortalized with his induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.

The foundation of Asmussen's legendary career is built upon the champions he has conditioned. He guided Curlin to Horse of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008, with victories in the Preakness Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic, and the Dubai World Cup. He was also the architect behind the spectacular career of Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year who famously defeated the boys in the Preakness Stakes. More recently, he trained Gun Runner to a dominant 2017 Horse of the Year campaign that included a Breeders' Cup Classic triumph, and masterfully handled the career of champion mare Midnight Bisou.

Despite his unparalleled success, one prize has remained tantalizingly out of reach: the Kentucky Derby. He has come agonizingly close with second-place finishers like Nehro in 2011 and Epicenter in 2022. However, Asmussen has conquered the other two jewels of the Triple Crown, winning the Preakness Stakes twice and claiming the Belmont Stakes in 2016 with Creator. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to manage a massive, multi-state racing operation, Asmussen's influence on the sport is profound, continuing to set a standard for trainers across the country.

Chapel Tinius was Miss Kentucky 2024, a title she earned on June 15, 2024, at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A Bowling Green native and a graduate of Belmont University, where she earned dual degrees in Musical Theatre & Corporate Communications in 2022. ​

Community Service Initiative: Tinius's community service initiative, "Operation Gratitude: For the Fallen, For the Fighting, For the Veterans," is deeply personal. She is the granddaughter of two World War II veterans—her maternal grandfather, Dr. Lawrence Emberton, a Navy veteran and lifelong doctor in Metcalfe County, & her paternal grandfather, George Tinius, an Army veteran and triple amputee due to a landmine explosion. Her grandfather entrusted her with his Purple Heart medal when she was 6, a gesture that profoundly influenced her commitment to honoring veterans. ​

Over the years, Tinius has organized numerous initiatives to support veterans, including running over 25 half marathons @ three full marathons to raise funds for the Honor Flight Network. She also founded the "Run to Fly" series, completing ten 10 Ks across Kentucky to support Honor Flight Kentucky in ten days. Additionally, she has partnered with organizations like Carry The Load and created a violin/harp CD titled "Gratitude," which she gifts to veterans as a music therapy tool. ​

Role as Miss KY: As Miss Kentucky, Tinius is the spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Kentucky Proud initiative, promoting locally grown & produced products. She has made 189 appearances across 72 countries & aims to visit all 120 countries during her tenure. Her outreach includes educational programs in schools, where she uses her musical talents to engage students & teach them about agriculture. ​ Tinius also works with the KY Department of Agriculture's Mobile Science Activity Centers and the Raising Hope program, which focuses on the mental and physical well-being of Kentucky's farmers and their families. Her efforts aim to raise awareness about the challenges the agricultural community faces and promote healthy living. ​

Personal Background/Education:

Raised on a small horse farm in Bowling Green, Tinius has been actively involved in the arts from a young age. She performed in musicals & plays in south-central Kentucky, played the harp at various events, and was a member of the Red River Fiddlers Band for 12 years.

Nate Morris is Chairman and CEO of Morris Industries, a privately held conglomerate headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 2010, Morris Industries leverages the power of business to solve some of America's biggest challenges.

Before founding Morris Industries, Nate Morris established Rubicon, one of America's largest waste and recycling companies, operating in 50 states and 20 countries.

Legally formed in 2009 with a $10,000 line of credit. Morris served as CEO for over 12 years.

Under his leadership, Morris led a $ 2 billion transaction to bring Rubicon public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Rubicon was named "One of the World's Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company, an "Industry Disruptor" by Inc. Magazine, and a Great Place to Work™ for five consecutive years, providing 100% free healthcare for all employees. Rubicon is only one of nine Kentucky companies to have become public on the 230-year history of the New York Stock Exchange.

Morris was the first Kentuckian to be named to Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 list and is a regional winner of EY's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

He is also the youngest inductee EVER to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.

By the age of 21, Morris worked in the U.S. House & Senate, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the White House. Morris also worked for the American Red Cross and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

A ninth-generation Kentuckian, Morris's family descends from Morgan County, in the heart of Appalachia. A product of public schools, Morris was raised in a union household by a single mother.

Through academic scholarships and working, Morris graduated from George Washington University, studied public policy at Princeton University, and earned a business degree at Oxford University. He was elected Phi Beta Kappa and named a Fulbright Specialist Scholar. Morris holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Pikeville.

Nate Morris is the founder and Managing Trustee of the Morris Foundation, whose mission is to provide access to the American Dream for all Kentuckians. Morris currently serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics and is the Chairman of 2X Game Changers.

Morris and his wife Jane reside at Commonwealth Farm in Lexington.

Step into the world of a true master of illusion, Lance Burton, a magician widely considered by his peers to be the greatest of the last century. As magic historian Mike Caveney famously stated, "Take every Magician in the world, line them up and give them each twelve minutes…Lance Wins!" His journey began in Kentucky, where a childhood fascination with a magic trick, "The Miser's Dream," sparked a lifelong passion. This early interest quickly evolved into a prodigious talent, leading him to win the "Gold Medal for Excellence" from the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1980.

Burton's career skyrocketed when he burst onto the national scene with his first appearance on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*. So impressed was Carson that he gave the young magician an unprecedented 12-minute routine. This was just the beginning of a storied television career with numerous specials and late-night appearances. In 1982, Burton made history by becoming the first American and the youngest person to win the Grand Prix award at the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM), often called the Olympics of magic, solidifying his status as a world champion.

His incredible talent found its ultimate home in Las Vegas, where he became a legendary headliner. After a record-breaking nine-year run in "Folies Bergère," he launched his own shows. In 1996, he signed a historic 13-year contract with the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, where the custom-built, 1,274-seat Lance Burton Theatre was constructed specifically for his act. Over his career, he performed an astounding 15,000 shows for more than 5 million fans, becoming a cornerstone of Las Vegas entertainment and earning the title of "Best Magician" from the Las Vegas Review-Journal for 18 consecutive years.

After concluding his long-running Vegas residency in 2010, Burton didn't simply vanish. He returned to his home state of Kentucky, dedicating time to mentoring young magicians, supporting various charities, and even directing a feature film, *Billy Topit Master Magician*. While he has retired from the grueling schedule of a nightly headliner, he continues to share his craft with the world. Today, he tours with his acclaimed show, "Lance Burton & Friends," bringing a family-friendly mix of grand illusions, masterful sleight-of-hand, and special guest performers to audiences across the country, proving that his ability to inspire wonder remains as powerful as ever.

Kent "Swampy" Glade is an environmental scientist, speaker, and filmmaker dedicated to promoting environmental education and awareness, with a special focus on wetlands and water conservation. Over the course of more than 40 years, Glade has been a passionate advocate for clean water and the protection of vital wetland ecosystems. He created the character Swampy as a way to engage audiences of all ages in environmental stewardship, using storytelling and creativity to make complex issues accessible and relatable.

As a filmmaker and concept artist, Glade produces content that highlights environmental themes and encourages action toward sustainability. His work extends beyond the screen, as he regularly participates in conferences and summits, such as the Speaking Empire's World Speakers Summit, where he shares his expertise and enthusiasm for wetlands with diverse audiences. Through his character Swampy, Glade also connects with schools and community groups, fostering environmental awareness among younger generations and inspiring them to appreciate and protect natural resources.

Glade is the author of "Swampy and Friends," a children's book that introduces environmental concepts through engaging storytelling. The book aims to encourage young readers to develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and to understand the importance of conservation from an early age.

Maintaining an active online presence, Glade shares insights and updates on environmental initiatives through social media platforms like Facebook. He is also involved in professional networks such as The Water Network, collaborating with other professionals who are dedicated to water conservation. Through his multifaceted efforts, Kent "Swampy" Glade continues to inspire and educate individuals about the significance of environmental conservation and the pivotal role that wetlands play in maintaining a healthy planet.