Kentucky
Kentucky Derby horses racing Saturday include one raised by woman from Massachusetts
Nineteen horses will compete in the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Saturday and one of them was raised by a woman from Massachusetts.
There’s a saying that goes, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer” and for 36-year-old Kristy McDermott, she is living her dream right now at the Kentucky Derby.
Sudbury native raised Flying Mohawk
“It’s unreal to be here,” said McDermott, who is down in Kentucky for the race. “Being at a race track is always magical but when it’s something like this that is kind of the culmination of everything we do and everything we dream about, it takes it to a whole other level.”
The Sudbury native has been raising the horse, Flying Mohawk, since he was a yearling.
“We brought him home and we raised him for about 10 months, focused on nutrition and growth,” said McDermott. “They grow a lot in that time.”
Now she’s right by Flying Mohawk’s side in Louisville at Churchill Downs to watch the horse compete in the prestigious race.
“Having a horse run in the Derby when you’re in the horse industry, it does change your life,” said McDermott.
Started horse training in Stow
McDermott’s humble beginnings began in Stow at Red Acre Farm under the training of Kathy Steege.
“I’m so proud. As a little girl, she was the cutest thing with dimples and a big smile and she was here at 9 o’clock every Saturday morning,” said Steege.
Since she was 7 years old, McDermott learned how to ride and take care of horses at Red Acre Farm. Little did she know the lessons she learned there would one day take her to the Kentucky Derby.
“It’s just such a big thing to be connected to a horse that’s running in the Kentucky Derby, that’s one of the biggest horse races there is,” said Steege.
McDermott hopes her efforts and young training will pay off for Flying Mohawk, who will be in race number 12.
“I can’t say enough good things about Red Acre Farm, truly just a total family, they taught me everything,” said McDermott. “Kathy Steege was the first person to show me how to saddle a horse. I’ve had plenty of people tell me I wasn’t good enough as a horseman, as a rider, all these things and every time someone told me no, it just made me want to do it more and I guess just never give up on yourself. If you know inside you, you can do something, who are they to tell you you can’t?”
COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.
Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.
“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”
The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, March 1, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
03-07-16-32, Cash Ball: 25
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 4-5-5
Midday: 3-1-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 3-8-0-2
Midday: 6-2-3-9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Kentucky State Police is investigating after a Shepherdsville woman died Feb. 28 in a two-vehicle crash in Bullitt County.
A preliminary investigation shows the crash, which occurred at 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of KY 44 East and Watergate Drive, began when the passenger-side tires of a Toyota Tacoma heading westbound on KY 44 East dropped off the right side of the roadway and onto a steep shoulder, Master Trooper Bryan Washer said in a statement March 1.
The teenage driver “overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline into the eastbound lane and into the path of a Ford Escape.”
Due to a head-on collision, the Ford Escape went down a small embankment and overturned on its roof before coming to rest, Washer said. The driver of the Ford Escape, Sarah Weisman, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was not injured from the crash.
Trooper Scott Wheatley and Detective Brad Holloman of the State Police conducted the initial investigation into the crash, Washer said. Holloman continues to investigate.
Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter
50 years on the run: Maryland family killing suspect still never caught
2 Smoothie King employees fired for refusing to serve customer in Trump hoodie
Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
Minnesota sues to block Trump administration’s withholding of Medicaid funds
Why Rebels are keeping pace for Mississippi State CB commit Brandon Allen Jr
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Trump sends official notification to Congress on strikes against Iran
Unexpected birth brings hope to near-extinct Amazon tribe
Supreme Court blocks redrawing of New York congressional map, dealing a win for GOP
Map: Earthquake Shakes Central California
Gas prices could jump as Middle East tensions threaten global oil supply
-
World5 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts6 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Denver, CO5 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana1 week agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Oregon4 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling