Jayson Werth arrived at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week and was struck by a familiar sensation.
“It reminds me of the World Series,” he said. “But things are different now. The barns are bustling, roads are closed, and there’s security everywhere. You really feel it – this is the pinnacle of the sport.”
Having won the World Series with Philadelphia and played numerous playoff games during his MLB career with teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Phillies, and Nationals, Werth still finds the excitement of horse racing unmatched. Since retiring from baseball, he’s become deeply invested in the sport, owning shares in over a dozen racehorses.
On Saturday, he has the opportunity to win the Kentucky Derby as an owner with Dornoch participating in the 150th edition of the race.
“It’s unbelievable. What started as a hobby has become a true passion,” Werth shared with The Associated Press over the phone. “I’ve developed a love for horse racing that I never imagined, and I want to share it with everyone.”
Horse racing has become Werth’s way of filling the competitive void left by baseball. He discovered the sport through his friend Rich Averill, who has been involved in horse racing for many years.
It’s beneficial to have a well-known athlete expressing his passion for horse racing as efforts continue to attract new fans.
According to NBC Sports analyst Randy Moss, the connection between racing and professional sports has always been strong, dating back to legends like Babe Ruth, who enjoyed betting on horses. Moss, who has covered 44 Derbies, believes the involvement of athletes like Jayson Werth, who own horses and even participate in the Derby, adds to this connection.
Werth believes that allowing regular people to own racehorses, even in small shares like Mage, the sibling of Dornoch who won the 2023 Derby, makes the sport more accessible. He compares watching a race to being on the sidelines with a teammate, cheering them on as they aim to win.
Werth, whose racing stable is named Two Eight Racing after his jersey number, is considering forming an ownership group to make horse racing more inclusive. He currently owns 10% of Dornoch and similar percentages of other horses.
