As the Kentucky Derby (G1) is set to take its place in the sports world spotlight over the next month, a behind-the-scenes look at Thoroughbred racing will be presented to an international audience in a six-episode Netflix documentary series set to premier April 22.
According to an April 2 Netflix news release and two-minute trailer, "Race for the Crown" follows Thoroughbred owners and jockeys as they navigate a grade 1 stakes season.
"'Race for the Crown' takes you deep into the action-packed world of professional horse racing," the show's synopsis states. "With exclusive access to jockeys, trainers, and owners, this series offers an inside look at the high-stakes quest to win across the prestigious Triple Crown circuit. Meet the big personalities that drive the sport and experience the passion, strategy, and drama as these dedicated individuals strive for victory."
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The trailer showcases several individuals who will be featured in the series. Owners featured in the trailer include Michael Iavarone, Mike Repole, John Stewart, and Jayson Werth. However, the press release only mentioned Iavarone and Repole, suggesting a larger focus will be placed on them.
Tom Ryan also appears in a scene alongside trainer Bob Baffert. Although it appears the show will focus mostly on the owners and jockeys, other trainers who appeared prominently in the trailer include Kenny McPeek, Brad Cox, and Larry Demeritte.
Interviews with jockeys Brian Hernandez Jr., Umberto Rispoli, and Frankie Dettori all appeared in the trailer. The press release also mentioned other featured jockeys, including Katie Davis, Antonio Fresu, Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, Javier Castellano, Flavien Prat, Florent Geroux, Jose Ortiz, and Luis Saez.
The series is produced by Box to Box Films, which has developed several behind-the-scenes sports shows on Netflix including "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" and "SPRINT." All six 45-minute episodes of the "Race for the Crown" will be released together April 22.
