The Kentucky Derby has the ability to transcend culture across North America, and that is evident in the manner in which horse racing is shown in films and television shows.

Expectations will be increasing at this stage of the year, as the 2025 Derby creeps into sight at Churchill Downs, with the brightest horses aged three set to take on the incredible challenge on the first Saturday in May.

You can find more information about this and other tournaments here: https://www.twinspires.com/tournaments/

Television is an excellent way to whet the appetite ahead of the race this year, but there are also a wide variety of songs that can be added to your playlist to enhance excitement levels ahead of the big day.

Dan Fogelberg- Run For the Roses

The unofficial theme for the Kentucky Derby is the 1982 release by Dan Fogelberg called ‘Run For The Roses’.

This song emits everything that the race is about, claiming that the race creates a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the legends. The soft rock song is typically played on race day at Churchill Downs, and it peaked at number 18 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

As well as that, it reached number one in the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. The song was commissioned by ABC for the Derby in 1980, and was previewed ahead of the race in the preview show by the broadcaster.

Johnny Cash- My Old Kentucky Home

Johnny Cash is an artist that is closely related to the Kentucky Derby, and his hits are typically blaring through the speakers on Derby day at Churchill Downs.

The song was originally written by Stephen Foster in 1853, but has been adapted on a number of occasions, including by legendary stars such as Randy Newman and Tyler Childers.  It has also been the subject of controversy and analysis.

However, Jonny Cash’s remains one of the most famous, and was featured on the John R. Cash album in 1975. The song achieved wide-spread acclaim and reached number 42 in the Billboard’s country music chart.

The Band- Up on Cripple Creek

A song that resonates with locals in the Kentucky region was released by The Band in 1969, and Up On Cripple Creek continues to be played around the time of the Kentucky Derby.

The song was released in 1969, and reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. However, it regained popularity following a live performance of the song, which was featured in The Last Waltz.

It only gained further traction when The Band toured with Bob Dylan in the 1970s.

Dolly Parton- Kentucky Gambler

Dolly Parton is one of the most popular musical artists in North America, and her roots to Kentucky are evident in most of her songs.

However, Kentucky Gambler is one of her most popular in the area, and has become synonymous with the Kentucky Derby throughout recent history. The song tells the story of a miner who abandons his family for a high life following a winning habit of gambling, before he loses all the money and returns home to find that his family have moved on without him.

The song was incredibly popular in the charts, topping both the US Hot Country Songs and Canadian RPM Country Tracks rankings following its release.

Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run

If there was ever a song that was more tailor-made to horse racing, then it is Born to Run, released by Bruce Springsteen in 1975.

The track featured on the artist’s third studio album of the same name, and it was a notable moment for Springsteen, as Born to Run made him an international star. It was played extensively in the US, and peaked at number 23 in the Billboard Hot 100.

The song remains Springsteen’s signature song, and was ranked at 27^th in the Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Nowadays, the song features heavily on playlists in the Louisville region as the Kentucky Derby approaches.

George Jones- The Race is On

The Race is On is a perfect song to listen to just before the start of the Kentucky Derby, as it will get the adrenaline pumping once all your bets for the race have been placed.

The track was written by Don Rollins, and released by George Jones in 1965. It was the first release on his album with the same name, and peaked at number three in the Billboard Hot Country chart. It also reached the top spot in the Easy Listening Chart.

Such was the success of the song, it has been covered on a number of occasions, including in the United Kingdom by David Edmunds and the Stray Cats. The British version of the song featured on the group’s first album, and peaked at number 34 in the charts. However, it would be hard to argue against the fact that the original is the most fondly remembered.