Behind the Backstretch
A podcast getting to know the Backside community at Churchill Downs along with the well-known names in the horseracing and Louisville communities! The podcast is produced by the Backside Learning Center, a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering and partnering with equine workers and their families at Churchill Downs and beyond.
Episodes
23 episodes
Ep. 23: 18th Annual Benefit for the Backside w/ Enidza Torres & Clyde Coatney
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are gearing up for the 18th annual Benefit for the Backside, the largest annual fundraiser for the Backside Learning Center taking place on November 22nd at Churchill Downs’ First Turn Club!...
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21:16
Ep. 22: Give for Good Louisville Special - Fundraising for the Arts
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are focusing on Give for Good Louisville, the largest fundraising day of the year in the city! Taking place on September 12th, our focus for our fundraiser will be the arts programming at the BLC, s...
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1:01:43
Ep. 21: Two Decades of Impact - Celebrating the Backside Learning Center's 20th Anniversary
Happy 20th Anniversary to the Backside Learning Center🎉 A special thank you to our amazing staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters who have helped us along the way!On this week's podcast episode of Behind the Backstretch🎙️, we talk to ...
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55:54
Ep. 20: Sipping for a Cause: Expert Insights into Woodford Reserve's $15,000 Whiskey and Rare Mint Julep Cups Benefitting the Racetrack Community!
On the newest episode of our podcast, Behind the Backstretch, we highlight our incredible partnership with Woodford Reserve! For the 150th Kentucky Derby, the BLC was chosen as the charitable partner of their $1,000 Mint Julep Program, in which...
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21:26
Ep. 19: Thoroughbred Industry Leaders Change the Game for the BLC this Kentucky Derby 150
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we have a packed lineup for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby! With major BLC supporter and part-owner Brook Smith enrolling Derby contender Sierra Leone in our Purses for a Purpose initiative, w...
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22:51
Ep. 18: Derby Handicapping Social 2024 w/ Donna Barton Brothers & Buff Bradley
On this week's episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are focusing on our 3rd annual Derby Handicapping Social taking place on April 16th at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society. This event acts as a kickoff to the Derby season and is a major awa...
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29:33
Ep. 17: New Year's Special w/ Luz Valdespino & Cathleen Murphy
On this episode of the podcast, we ring in the new year by talking with two members of our community, staff member Luz Valdespino & BLC supporter Cathleen Murphy!First, we speak with the BLC's own Youth and Family Case Coordin...
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24:52
Ep.16: Benefit for the Backside 2023 w/ Robin Rinderspacher & Pam Wessel
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are gearing up for the 17th Annual Benefit for the Backside coming up in just about 2 weeks! We speak with two individuals who have been heavily involved in the planning process for this event as we...
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20:32
Ep. 15: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month // Celebrando el Mes de la Herenica Hispana
Our FIFTEENTH episode of the “Beyond the Backstretch” is out now! On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! This month is especially important to us as 80% of the 1,000+ backstretch workers a...
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18:42
Ep. 14: Give for Good Louisville 2023 w/ Alexina Wilson & Glenn Kosse
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are gearing up for next month's Give for Good Louisville, which is the largest annual fundraising day in the city of Louisville! We sit down with two members of the BLC team to discuss their journey...
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22:01
Ep. 13: Get to Know our Teen Support Group - Creciendo Juntos
On this month's episode of "Behind the Backstretch," we introduce listeners to Creciendo Juntos, a teen support group for teens of backside workers! While beginning as a therapy group, this group has evolved dramatically since its inception int...
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27:04
Ep. 12: 149th Kentucky Derby w/ Jorge Abrego, Ana Gonzalez, & Katie Tolbert
On this month’s episode of the Behind the Backstretch podcast, we have an action-packed lineup of individuals who are all playing various roles in this year’s Kentucky Derby & Oaks! First, we get to hear from assistant trainer ...
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34:24
Ep. 11: Learn About Our Spring Event & Purses For a Purpose Program with Special Guests
For the 11th episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are gearing up for our upcoming spring event, the Backside Learning Center’s Derby Handicapping Social! This event, which takes place on April 18th at the Louisville Thoroughbred Society, acts ...
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29:45
Ep. 10: Celebrating Women's Month w/ Merlin Cano & Alma Aldana
On the 10th episode of Behind the Backstretch, we celebrate Women's Month by speaking with two incredible staff members at the Backside Learning Center, Merlin Cano & Alma Aldana!We first speak with Merlin, who is the health and wel...
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33:05
Ep. 9: Special Edition for Black History Month & Valentine's Day
On this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are celebrating Black History Month as we get to speak with trainer Mark Simms Jr! In our discussion with Mark, he delves into how he got into horse racing, his ambitions within the sport, what it's...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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27:05
Ep. 8: Special Edition for the 16th Annual Benefit for the Backside
On this month's episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are focusing on our largest annual fundraiser, the Benefit for the Backside, that takes place on November 18th, 2022! We first get to hear from event planner Sterling Franklin as she dives i...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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25:33
Ep. 7: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Alma Aldana, Pam Conway, & Jose Luis Rodriguez
On this month's episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with three separate interviews that shine a light on three unique perspectives within our community!We get to hear from the BLC's own Adult Pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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32:14
Ep. 6: The Man Behind the Booth - Meet Churchill Downs Announcer Travis Stone
On the 6th episode of Behind the Backstretch, we are joined by Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone and BLC board member Cory Stauble!Travis Stone has been the official track announcer at Churchill Downs since 2015. In this podca...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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31:33
Ep. 5: Meet Community Member, Mom, and Groom Bertila Quinteros
On the newest episode of the “Behind the Backstretch” podcast, we get to hear conversations with Bertila Quinteros and the BLC’s own Lauren DeGeorge! Bertila Quinteros is a groom at Churchill Downs and was recently featured in the m...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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25:36
Ep. 4: Meet the Youth Team and Plans for Summer 2022
In this episode of Behind the Backstretch, we get to hear from Dina Busaleh and Martha Popescu, two members of our youth team who discuss their roles at the BLC, the plans for summer programming for the children of backside workers, and why the...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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30:17
Ep. 3: Kentucky Derby 148 Edition with Brook Smith & Carla Grego
Happy Derby Week from the BLC! 🐴🎉We have an action-packed episode this week, as we first speak with current board member Carla Grego about her experience at Churchill Downs and the momentum she sees picking up for the Backside Learning Center.<...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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36:54
Ep. 2: Get to Know the Groom with Roberto Gonzalez
In the second episode of Behind the Backstretch, we get to hear from Roberto Gonzalez, a groom and hot walker who has nearly 30 years of experience on the backside of Churchill Downs and racetracks around the country. Additionally, communicatio...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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26:00
Ep. 1: Welcome to the Backside with TVG's Caton Bredar
The very first episode of Behind the Backstretch, a podcast brought to you by the Backside Learning Center! In this episode, we get to hear from award-winning journalist and legendary broadcaster Caton Bredar (as seen on TVG, ESPN, ABC & mo...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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37:11