MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #486: Bob Baffert

🏆 Career Achievements Kentucky Derby * * Winner 7 times (1997, 1998, 2002, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2023) – though the 2021 victory with Medina Spirit was later disqualified. Preakness Stakes * * Winner 8 times (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2023). Belmont Stakes * * Winner 3 times (2001, 2015, 2018). Triple Crown Victories * * American Pharaoh (2015) ended a 37-year drought, the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. * Justify (2018) became only the second undefeated horse to win the Triple Crown. Breeders' Cup Success * * Multiple Breeders' Cup victories, including the Classic, Sprint, and Juvenile races. Awards & Recognition * * Four-time Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer. * Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2009. * Consistently ranked among the all-time leading trainers in purse earnings. ⚖️ Controversy * Baffert has been at the center of medication controversies and suspensions. Notably, Medina Spirit failed a post-Kentucky Derby drug test in 2021, leading to disqualification. * These controversies have tarnished his public image but have not erased his impact as one of the most dominant trainers in modern history.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #485: Umberto Rispoli

On May 17, 2025, Umberto Rispoli didn't just win a horse race; he galloped into the history books. With a masterful and gutsy ride aboard the formidable colt Journalism, he conquered the Preakness Stakes, becoming the first Italian jockey ever to win a jewel of the American Triple Crown. It was a moment that solidified his place among the world's elite riders and marked the pinnacle of a journey that is nothing short of extraordinary. Join us for a conversation with a man whose story is one of resilience, ambition, and relentless drive. From the tough streets of Scampia, Naples, to the winner's circles in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris, Umberto has consistently proven his mettle. After dominating the Italian racing circuit and setting a national record with 245 wins in a single year, he took his talent global, capturing Group 1 victories on multiple continents. In late 2019, he brought his saddle to Southern California, and the American racing scene hasn't been the same since. In just a few years, he has amassed nearly $50 million in earnings and guided champions like Rock Your World, Smooth Like Strait, and Going to Vegas to Grade 1 glory. His 2025 season has been particularly sensational, highlighted by victories in the Santa Anita Derby and a historic triumph at Pimlico.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #484: Kenny McPeek

What does it take to spot a diamond in the rough? In this episode, we chart the incredible career of trainer and bloodstock agent Kenny McPeek, a man whose legacy is built on skill, persistence, and an unparalleled eye for equine talent. Born at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, but a true son of Lexington, Kentucky, Kenny McPeek has racing in his blood. Since earning his license in 1985, he has meticulously built a reputation for transforming modestly-bred yearlings into elite competitors. His breakout moment on the national stage came in 2002 when he guided Harlan's Holiday to a Florida Derby win, only to top it months later by saddling 70-1 longshot Sarava to win the Belmont Stakes, playing the ultimate spoiler to a Triple Crown bid. But 2024 would prove to be his most historic year yet. McPeek accomplished a rare and coveted feat, winning the Kentucky Oaks with the formidable Thorpedo Anna and then capturing the Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan just one day later. It was the first time a trainer had swept both iconic races since 1952. Join us as we unpack the key moments, the legendary horses, and the philosophy that has made Kenny McPeek not just a Triple Crown-winning trainer, but a true master of the sport.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #483 Steve Asmussen

In the world of American Thoroughbred racing, few names carry as much weight as Steve Asmussen. Born into a horse-racing dynasty in Gettysburg, South Dakota, his path seemed destined for the racetrack. With a trainer for a father and a mother also deeply involved with horses, the sport is in his blood. His brother, Cash Asmussen, found international fame as a jockey, and Steve himself had a brief career in the saddle before his height and weight guided him toward training, the field where he would leave an indelible mark. Since taking out his trainer's license in 1986, Asmussen's ascent has been nothing short of historic. He is now the winningest trainer in the history of North American racing, a monumental achievement he secured in 2021 before surpassing the unprecedented 10,000-win milestone in 2023. His consistent excellence was recognized with back-to-back Eclipse Awards as the nation's Outstanding Trainer in 2008 and 2009, and his career was immortalized with his induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016. The foundation of Asmussen's legendary career is built upon the champions he has conditioned. He guided Curlin to Horse of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008, with victories in the Preakness Stakes, Breeders' Cup Classic, and the Dubai World Cup. He was also the architect behind the spectacular career of Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year who famously defeated the boys in the Preakness Stakes. More recently, he trained Gun Runner to a dominant 2017 Horse of the Year campaign that included a Breeders' Cup Classic triumph, and masterfully handled the career of champion mare Midnight Bisou. Despite his unparalleled success, one prize has remained tantalizingly out of reach: the Kentucky Derby. He has come agonizingly close with second-place finishers like Nehro in 2011 and Epicenter in 2022. However, Asmussen has conquered the other two jewels of the Triple Crown, winning the Preakness Stakes twice and claiming the Belmont Stakes in 2016 with Creator. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to manage a massive, multi-state racing operation, Asmussen's influence on the sport is profound, continuing to set a standard for trainers across the country.

MoxieTalk with Kirt Jacobs #482: Chapel Tinius

Chapel Tinius was Miss Kentucky 2024, a title she earned on June 15, 2024, at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A Bowling Green native and a graduate of Belmont University, where she earned dual degrees in Musical Theatre & Corporate Communications in 2022. Community Service Initiative: Tinius's community service initiative, "Operation Gratitude: For the Fallen, For the Fighting, For the Veterans," is deeply personal. She is the granddaughter of two World War II veterans—her maternal grandfather, Dr. Lawrence Emberton, a Navy veteran and lifelong doctor in Metcalfe County, & her paternal grandfather, George Tinius, an Army veteran and triple amputee due to a landmine explosion. Her grandfather entrusted her with his Purple Heart medal when she was 6, a gesture that profoundly influenced her commitment to honoring veterans. Over the years, Tinius has organized numerous initiatives to support veterans, including running over 25 half marathons @ three full marathons to raise funds for the Honor Flight Network. She also founded the "Run to Fly" series, completing ten 10 Ks across Kentucky to support Honor Flight Kentucky in ten days. Additionally, she has partnered with organizations like Carry The Load and created a violin/harp CD titled "Gratitude," which she gifts to veterans as a music therapy tool. Role as Miss KY: As Miss Kentucky, Tinius is the spokesperson for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Kentucky Proud initiative, promoting locally grown & produced products. She has made 189 appearances across 72 countries & aims to visit all 120 countries during her tenure. Her outreach includes educational programs in schools, where she uses her musical talents to engage students & teach them about agriculture. Tinius also works with the KY Department of Agriculture's Mobile Science Activity Centers and the Raising Hope program, which focuses on the mental and physical well-being of Kentucky's farmers and their families. Her efforts aim to raise awareness about the challenges the agricultural community faces and promote healthy living. Personal Background/Education: Raised on a small horse farm in Bowling Green, Tinius has been actively involved in the arts from a young age. She performed in musicals & plays in south-central Kentucky, played the harp at various events, and was a member of the Red River Fiddlers Band for 12 years.