Race for the Crown episode 1 recap: The Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports

Race for the Crown opens with episode 1, “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” spotlighting the difficulty of getting to the Kentucky Derby. A voiceover sets the stakes: “20,000 horses born every year. 20 in the starting gate.” The voice belongs to owner Michael Iavarone, one of three Derby hopefuls profiled in the premiere. The other two are owner Mike Repole and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori. 

The episode begins in the Iavarone’s lavish Miami home. The scene oozes luxury—diamond-encrusted jewelry, exotic cars, flowing champagne, bold suits, and even “the Ferrari of tanning beds.”

“When your horse is coming to the line in front in a Triple Crown race, there’s nothing like it,” Michael says.

He speaks from experience. In 2008, he stood in the winner’s circle with Big Brown, who captured both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Preakness S. (G1). That was before he met his wife, Jules. Now, he's determined to share that once (or twice) in a lifetime moment with her.

Just 10 days before the 2023 Kentucky Derby, the Iavarones were offered a chance to buy into Mage’s ownership group—for $7 million. Michael declined, calling the price too steep. Mage went on to win the Derby.

In this episode, we follow Michael as he seizes a second chance with the same group, this time investing seven figures in a Derby hopeful named Victory Avenue. A quick Equibase search shows the colt made only one start in 2024, finishing second in a maiden race at Gulfstream Park. But the show doesn’t reveal this detail yet. For now, in episode one, we see Michael taking his first steps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Horse racing fans will immediately recognize owner Mike Repole's brash style, who starts his interview with, “What the f*** is this?”

He introduces himself as “Mike from Queens,” and wastes no time declaring: “Everything I do in my life, I do to win”—including beating his daughter in Candy Land.

Repole recounts his journey of owning 325 horses and building one of the top stables in the country. Two of his best, Uncle Mo and Forte, were early Derby favorites after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Neither one made it to the starting gate.

“I’m 0 for 9 in the Derby,” he admits.

His 2024 Derby contender is Fierceness, a colt who dazzled in his debut with an 11 1/4-length win, only to disappoint next time out on a sloppy track. When Repole is first interviewed, Fierceness has yet to run in the Juvenile.

“We’re rolling the dice,” says Repole’s trainer, Todd Pletcher. “He’s had one race that would’ve made him the favorite, and one race that would make him the longest shot on the board.”

We then watch Fierceness redeem himself, storming to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and earning early Kentucky Derby favorite status.

“Part of this for me,” Repole says, “is just getting him to the starting gate.”

Finally, we meet international superstar jockey Frankie Dettori, age 53, who’s won major races in England, France, Ireland, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia. He embarked on a global “farewell tour” in 2023—only to realize retirement didn’t suit him.

“I was retired for one week and didn’t like it,” he says. “I realized I never really tried America. So, I decided to extend my career.”

Dettori is under no illusions: “It’s super cutthroat competition. I have to build my business from scratch.”

He meets with his new agent, wins the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), and delivers his iconic flying dismount—an electrifying start to his American chapter.

Stay tuned with TwinSpires as we continue our episode-by-episode coverage. Coming up next: Episode 2, “The Road to the Derby: Part 1.”

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