LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the clock approaches 9 PM on Thursday, billionaire entrepreneur Mike Repole could soon be celebrating his first Kentucky Derby win at Churchill Downs with his horse, Renegade, who is currently favored to win this Saturday.
The Kentucky Derby is not just a race; it’s a week-long festival that extends beyond Churchill Downs, featuring various events throughout the city. These range from community gatherings to glamorous parties attended by celebrities and athletes.
Instead of participating in one of these traditional events, Repole opted to host his own, the United Football League Derby Classic, in partnership with DraftKings. As a co-owner of the UFL, he was present at Lynn Family Stadium, cheering on the Louisville Kings as they faced off against the St. Louis Battlehawks in front of a crowd of around 10,000 spectators. Accompanying him were UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon and Operations Director David Dykeman.
In a nearby white tent, Repole was throwing a party for 75 of his friends and family who joined him for the weekend. “It’s surreal,” he shared with Gambling Insider. “I’ve always had a think big, dream bigger mantra.”
Last year, Repole missed his chance at the Derby when his horse, Grande, was sidelined due to a foot bruise. However, that weekend was not without its successes, as he was negotiating to invest in the UFL. While in Louisville, he noticed the soccer stadium with a capacity of around 15,000, which sparked his interest. After finalizing his deal with the UFL, he was determined to establish a team to play there.
A year later, he found himself on that very field, surrounded by friends and family.
Not Just About The Kentucky Derby
Repole has had a tumultuous relationship with the Kentucky Derby. In 2011, he arrived with Uncle Mo, a promising 2-year-old champion favored to win. Unfortunately, Uncle Mo was scratched from the race due to a stomach issue that had plagued him for a month.
Despite his disappointment, Repole, then 42, remained optimistic about future Derby opportunities. However, 15 years later, he has yet to win, with a record of 0-for-11. Most notably, in 2023, a Kentucky racing veterinarian scratched his horse, Forte, on race day due to a bruised hoof.
Even though he has come close to winning thoroughbred racing's highest honor, Repole emphasizes that reaching Louisville with a 3-year-old contender is still a significant achievement, and other races hold importance as well. “To qualify for this Derby, you must have won some major races beforehand,” he noted. “I’ve won the Arkansas Derby twice, the Wood Memorial twice, the Florida Derby twice, and the Louisiana Derby.”
He reflected on his experiences, stating, “I’ve had many horses lose a Derby, but Fierceness came back to win the Travers. Stay Thirsty also won the Travers, and Vino Russo triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. While the Derby is crucial, the events surrounding it are equally special.”
Racing Needs ‘Transformational Change’
Even if Renegade, who has drawn the challenging inside gate, does not succeed, Repole remains optimistic about the weekend. He is known as one of the sport's most vocal advocates, having spent recent years pushing for significant changes in an industry that is losing both horsemen and wagering fans.
This year, he once again utilized his platform to address the state of the sport, gathering a large group of reporters at his stable on Thursday morning for what he termed a “state of the union” on horse racing.