Grab a Bite and Hangout for Derby Chat

By Dana Byerly, Hello Race Fans Co-founder

With the Kentucky Derby just six weeks away it’s a good time to start paying attention if you haven’t already. And, Derby contenders are not the only thing flying under the radar these days. There’s no shortage of ways to keep up with Kentucky Derby (such as our Derby Prep Alert!), but let’s talk about talking, aka video.

Tried and true sources such as Churchill Downs official “Road to the Kentucky Derby” with Jill Byrne are a great go-to source to easily keep yourself in the Derby loop. The Triple Crown Insider guys have been producing weekly Derby video shows for a few years and veteran turf writer Steve Haskin even does some of his annual Derby Dozen weekly columns as video.

We’ve recently discovered two new additions to the scene that bring a fun twist to a fairly straightforward format.

The Bullet Train Derby Platform sponsored by Brisnet.com (one of our sponsors!) features two Derby-lovin’ guys, Sean Feld and Brisnet.com’s Ed DeRosa at various lunch spots around central Kentucky debriefing on the previous week’s race and discussing the upcoming weekend. Aside from learning about lunch options in Lexington, the causal format lends itself it learning to think like a handicapper as the duo processes their picks and reassesses the potential Derby field in real time. Catch the Bullet Train Platform Monday evenings.

Do you love Google Hangouts and and the Kentucky Derby? Then Portland Meadows is the place for you! Each Friday Track Announcer Jason Beem hosts a Hangout to discuss a weekly Derby prep. The 30 minute chat includes a mix of regulars and race specific guests such as NYRA Paddock Analyst extraordinaire Maggie Wolfendale for the Gotham and Track Handicapper Rolly Hoyt from Oaklawn Park for the Rebel.

Each week up to five fans can join the hangout and engage with the guests (and possibly try out some fun effects), but if you don’t get a chance to join a Hangout you can always view the Hangout on Portland Meadows YouTube channel. Here’s the info for this week’s Hangout for the Spiral Stakes, check their site for a full list of upcoming Hangouts. Or, follow Portland Meadows on Google Plus to stay up to date.

And if you’d like to do some Derby talking of your own, join the fray on Twitter on Monday mornings starting at 10 am ET using #DerbyChat.