KSR Today: Racing Returns to Churchill Downs, Thursday Night Football, Bourbon & Beyond

From football to concerts and everything in-between, prepare for a busy weekend in the Bluegrass. It’s been 102 days since horses raced beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. That all changes tonight when Churchill Downs opens its doors for a 14-day September meet with Twilight Racing at the track. Live music will be in “The Grove” near the first turn with $2 beers on tap. Gates open at 4 pm with a first post is at 5 pm.

Racing was suspended and the spring meet was moved to Ellis Park in early June after a dozen horse fatalities at the track. HISA released a lengthy report on Tuesday that did not find “any singular explanation” for the catastrophic injuries, paving the way for racing to resume at historic racetrack.

Tonight will be a first for sports fan in the Commonwealth. Patrons can not only gamble on the horses, they can wager on sports at the Churchill Downs Race and Sports Book. That is a winning combination.

Thursday Night Football on Prime

The NFL season kicked off on a Thursday night, but that game was available on broadcast TV. This week you can only watch the Vikings’ trip to Philadelphia on Amazon Prime. You could also watch all of the action at KSBar and Grille where we are giving away $500 at halftime to one lucky customer. Getting paid to watch football, it doesn’t get any better than that.

The Eagles are 7-point favorites over the Vikings and the total is 49. Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call beginning at 8:15 pm EST.

There’s also a couple of college football games on the docket. Memphis will host Navy at 7:30 on ESPN, while No. 22 Miami takes on Bethune-Cookman at the same time on the ACC Network.

Kentucky OC Liam Coen Thanks the BBN

Liam Coen is back in action. Temporarily sidelined by a medical episode on Sunday, Kentucky’s offensive coordinator has resumed play-calling duties for the Cats. In his first speaking engagement since the incident, he thanked the Big Blue Nation for providing support when he and his family needed it most.

“First of all, I want to thank the people. The treatment staff here, athletic department, everybody, for their support, the hospital, just acting quickly. There’s not a ton I remember from the situation but probably just need to sleep better, need to eat better, be a better version of myself in terms of doing the stuff that we ask our players to do from a health standpoint. I think it was a good wake-up call, which is probably a good thing at the end of the day.

“But I can’t thank enough the BBN, the support, the people outreach, that was really cool. It was really to be at a place that you can tell actually does care. I appreciate that, my family appreciates that, that’s really it.”

One Final Chat with Mark Stoops before Kentucky vs. Akron

Kentucky’s head coach will sound off one final time before the Wildcats kick off against Akron Saturday night. Prepare to hear updates around 6 pm EST. Here’s what the head coach said yesterday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference.

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Record Crowd Watch Kentucky Fall to UofL Volleyball

The scene for the Battle of the Bluegrass was one Kenny Payne could only dream to coach in front of at the Yum Center. With a full lower bowl, UofL officials opened the curtains in the upper deck to make way for a record crowd of 12,760 volleyball fans. It was a spectacle that showed the growth and impact the sport has made on the state. Unfortunately, the folks in blue didn’t have too much to cheer for.

After falling behind quickly in the first set, the Cats had a chance to deliver an equalizer in set two. Kentucky led 23-22, then served it out of bounds and let the second-ranked Cards get the final two points. Louisville swept No. 21 Kentucky (19-25, 23-25, 18-25). Craig Skinner’s squad falls to 2-5 with a road trip to No. 4 Nebraska looming around the corner.

Coolest Football Play Ever?

You’ve seen a flea-flicker and the Statue of Liberty. You’ve even seen Patrick Mahomes complete a no-look pass, but have you ever seen a no-look, granny shot heave over the head to the center? This trick play on a two-point conversion at an Oklahoma high school football game is as cool as it gets.

This is the early winner for OKPreps Play of the Year. And God Bless Hooker, Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/2vlDgX3W2d

— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) September 14, 2023

Wrestlers is Incredible

You don’t have to be a fan of wrestling or Kentucky Sports Radio to enjoy the Netflix series that follows around KSR’s Fearless Leader and his venture into Ohio Valley Wrestling. Wrestlers not only shows the sacrifices people make to live out their dreams, it provides an eye-opening look at what it takes to put a live show on air. Richmond Bramblet will be recapping episodes for the website and Matt Jones will be back on the radio to discuss some of the action today.

Bourbon and Beyond Begins at the Fairgrounds

Four days of live music will take place in the heart of the city of Louisville. The action begins this afternoon at the Kentucky Expo Center. Parking is $30 at the fairgrounds. There are some incredible acts on the schedule and the weather is looking beautiful. If you want to join the fun, passes are still available.

Hard Work Pays Off

A little more than 10 years ago I sat on the stoop outside of a friend’s house. He shared news with me he didn’t want to hear from a doctor: college just isn’t in the cards for you. His plans were derailed. He didn’t know what to do, so he went to work. Fast forward to today and he’s a thriving small business owner who will be honored by our alma mater as a distinguished young alumnus of DeSales this Saturday.

Unfortunately, a late kickoff is preventing me from being there for his time in the limelight but Andrew Beeler’s story is worth sharing. Not everybody needs to go to a four-year college to be successful. He went to barber school in the mornings, waited tables at a Cracker Barrel in the afternoon and UPS at night. He busted his ass and bet on himself. It’s a great success story, and it’s far from being finished. I’m very proud of my old pal and can’t wait to see what the future holds. If you want to see what he’s working with, I guarantee you that Beechmont Barbershop is the only establishment with a haircut style named after a bald man, “the Nick Roush Burr.”