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Kentucky Derby

Simone Biles, Jeff Bridges, more stars who called 'Riders up' at Kentucky Derby

May 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m. ET
"Riders Up" is a long tradition at the Kentucky Derby that allows celebrities and athletes to take part in the start of the Run for the Roses. Retired jockey and legendary Kentucky Derby winner Pat Day will serve as the "Riders Up" announcer for the 152nd race on Saturday, May 2, 2026. See who has done the tradition in recent years, starting here with Olympian Simone Biles at the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
"Riders Up" is a long tradition at the Kentucky Derby that allows celebrities and athletes to take part in the start of the Run for the Roses. Retired jockey and legendary Kentucky Derby winner Pat Day will serve as the "Riders Up" announcer for the 152nd race on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

See who has done the tradition in recent years, starting here with Olympian Simone Biles at the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Chicago Bears football player Jonathan Owens and Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet in 2025.
Chicago Bears football player Jonathan Owens and Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet in 2025.
Maggie Huber/Special To Courier Journal
Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 3, 2025.
Biles on the Kentucky Derby red carpet May 3, 2025.
Maggie Huber/Special To Courier Journal
Martha Stewart called Riders Up in 2024 at the 150th Kentucky Derby.
Martha Stewart called Riders Up in 2024 at the 150th Kentucky Derby.
Scott Utterback/Courier Journal
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, posing with his wife Brittany at the Kentucky Derby red carpet, called the Riders Up command at the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, posing with his wife Brittany at the Kentucky Derby red carpet, called the Riders Up command at the 149th Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023.
Maggie Huber/Special To Courier Journal
Rapper Jack Harlow did the Riders Up call May 7, 2022. He eventually pet the horse of Churchill Downs outrider Greg Blasi, though he did back off when the horse reared his head before the running of the 148th Kentucky Derby.
Rapper Jack Harlow did the Riders Up call May 7, 2022. He eventually pet the horse of Churchill Downs outrider Greg Blasi, though he did back off when the horse reared his head before the running of the 148th Kentucky Derby.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal
Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas did the Riders Up call at the 147th Kentucky Derby in 2021. Here he watches his horses train from the side of the track at Churchill Downs on April 23, 2021.
Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas did the Riders Up call at the 147th Kentucky Derby in 2021. Here he watches his horses train from the side of the track at Churchill Downs on April 23, 2021.
Pat McDonogh / Courier Journal
Baker Mayfield called Riders Up in 2019. Here, he and Emily Wilkinson walk the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019.
Baker Mayfield called Riders Up in 2019. Here, he and Emily Wilkinson walk the red carpet at the Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2019.
Maggie Huber/Special To Courier Journal
Laila Ali, retired boxing champion, called 'Riders Up' in 2018.
Laila Ali, retired boxing champion, called 'Riders Up' in 2018.
Maggie Huber, Special To Courier Journal
Actor Jeff Bridges called 'Riders Up' at the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017.
Actor Jeff Bridges called 'Riders Up' at the 143rd Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2017.
Angela Shoemaker, Special To CJ
Sean Payton, then-head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said 'Riders Up' in 2016. Here, he attends the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers as Denver Broncos head coach in 2025.
Sean Payton, then-head coach of the New Orleans Saints, said 'Riders Up' in 2016. Here, he attends the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers as Denver Broncos head coach in 2025.
Jim Rassol, Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Former U of L quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gave the "Riders Up" command at the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
Former U of L quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gave the "Riders Up" command at the 2015 Kentucky Derby.
Scott Utterback/Courier Journal , Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
NBA star Julius "Dr. J" Erving gave the Riders Up command in 2014. Here, he and a friend enjoy cigars in the VIP section of the 4th Annual Fillies and Stallions Derby Eve party at the Mellwood Arts Center on May 2, 2014.
NBA star Julius "Dr. J" Erving gave the Riders Up command in 2014. Here, he and a friend enjoy cigars in the VIP section of the 4th Annual Fillies and Stallions Derby Eve party at the Mellwood Arts Center on May 2, 2014.
Jacob Zimmer, Special To The C-J
University of Louisville head coach Charlie Strong called Riders Up in 2013. Here, he reacts to an officials review giving his team a touchdown against Rutgers University during the first half of play at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 10, 2013.
University of Louisville head coach Charlie Strong called Riders Up in 2013. Here, he reacts to an officials review giving his team a touchdown against Rutgers University during the first half of play at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky on Oct. 10, 2013.
John Sommers II/Special To The C
John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, gave the Riders Up call at the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Here, he gives instructions to his team against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Rupp Arena on Nov. 18, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
John Calipari, the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, gave the Riders Up call at the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Here, he gives instructions to his team against the Utah Valley Wolverines at Rupp Arena on Nov. 18, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
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