This article appears in the April 2012 issue of Louisville Magazine. To subscribe, visit loumag.com.

The past two years that trainer Dale Romans has started a horse in the Kentucky Derby, he and his family have hosted a small after-party at their home in south Louisville. It’s a relaxed affair — homemade brisket, cold beer, horse-racing stories into the wee hours — the close to a long day powered on adrenaline.

A field of 13 is set to compete in the Grade 2 $500,000 Rebel Stakes which will run Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Headlining the field is Bob Baffert’s Secret Circle, who won the second division of the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes February 20 over the Oaklawn dirt. In that race, he managed to stay a half-length in front of fellow Rebel competitor Scatman.

We’re just over a month away from the Breeders’ Cup which will be held for the second consecutive year at Churchill Downs.  Nothing can get you more excited about the event than watching replays of past races. What about last year’s stunning Breeders’ Cup Classic as the undefeated mare Zenyatta was nosed out of her 20th straight victory by the unstoppable Blame under the lights at Churchill Downs? Or what about Calvin Borel winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Street Sense at Churchill Downs in 2006 before coming back in May to win the Kentucky Derby?

• "Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel was arrested and jailed Saturday night in Evansville, Ind., on a drunken driving charge. Borel, 44, took off his Sunday mounts at Ellis Park in nearby Henderson, Ky., where he has been riding this summer. The 44-year-old Louisville, Ky., resident was released on $100 bond Sunday morning from the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville after being arrested the night before.