Watch Race for the Crown along with TwinSpires
Mystik Dan (right), Forever Young (middle), and Sierra Leone (left) delivered the closest finish in Kentucky Derby history (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
April 21st, 2025
Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Among the early standouts on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby was Dornoch, who emerged as a contender after winning both the Remsen S. (G2) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2). His profile rose even higher since his ownership group included former MLB All-Star Jayson Werth—one of the owners featured in the series. While Dornoch finished tenth in the Kentucky Derby, he bounced back to capture the final jewel of the Triple Crown, the Belmont S. (G1). Werth’s journey from baseball to horse racing is chronicled in the show.
Fierceness received a 106 Brisnet Speed rating winning the Florida Derby(Photo by Coglianese Photography)
It also spotlights owner Mike Repole, who entered the Derby with morning-line favorite Fierceness. Repole had been in this position before—with Uncle Mo in 2011 and Forte in 2023—only to see both scratch after arriving at Churchill Downs. Fierceness made it to the starting gate, but didn’t live up to expectations, finishing a disappointing fifteenth.
Instead, Mystik Dan claimed victory, giving jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and trainer Kenny McPeek the rare Kentucky Oaks/Derby double. McPeek became the first trainer to achieve the sweep since 1952. Race for the Crown had the good fortune of filming with Hernandez’s family during Derby week.
Also featured is legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who, while on his farewell tour, decided to relocate to the U.S. and continue riding. He had mounts in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness S. (G1).
“I’d rather die on a horse than die of boredom,” Dettori says in the trailer.
The show also profiles newcomer owner John Stewart of Resolute Racing, who sparred with Repole on social media during the season, and Michael Iavarone, known for co-owning 2008 Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. While Iavorone is a colorful character, he wasn’t a factor in the 2024 Triple Crown.
TwinSpires will recap each episode as we count down to the 151st Kentucky Derby.
