WHAT: “Cocktails & Conversation,” the weekly virtual happy hour series, returns for the fifth episode of the season on Thursday (May 6) with special guests Hall of Fame jockey, John Velazquez, and the breeder of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, Gail Rice; hosted by Britney Eurton and Nick Luck of NBC Sports and joined by renowned mixologist and creator of Breeders’ Cup’s official cocktails Mark Tubridy.
This week’s cocktails bring a celebratory fare. The first cocktail is the Passion Fruit Magarita, a sweet twist to the classic margarita with blanco tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and passion fruit agave syrup. The second shares the same name as the famous racehorse Man o’ War. This cocktail is made with Maker’s Mark®, Cointreau, Sweet Vermouth and lemon juice.
In addition to the cocktail mixing segment, fans will be able to submit questions via social media for the hosts, Velazquez and Rice to answer during the live stream. Throughout the cocktail hour, viewers will be encouraged to donate to industry workers and communities in need through the official Breeders’ Cup website.
All donations generated from Cocktails & Conversation are wholly donated to organizations benefiting the horse racing and hospitality industries, including the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, USBG National Charity Foundation and Restaurant Workers Relief Program.
WHO: The four-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey John Velazquez joins the show fresh off his Kentucky Derby winning ride on Medina Spirit and Kentucky Oaks winning ride on Malathaat. The multiple Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Famer has won 15 Breeders’ Cup races, over 6,200 races and more than an astounding $435 million in career earnings. Velazquez will share stories about some of his most prominent G1-winning rides and what it’s like to win two of America’s greatest races in one weekend.
The breeder of the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, Gail Rice, joins us following her dream trip to Louisville to witness Medina Spirit secure his spot in Kentucky Derby history. Rice received her first G1 winner as a breeder in 2020 with the filly Speech in an exciting Ashland Stakes (G1) victory. She will share her experience with breeding G1 winners and what it’s like to witness the horses that she bred compete Kentucky Derby weekend.
WHEN: Thursday, May 6 at 6 p.m. ET
WHERE: Live streams can be viewed at Breeders’ Cup’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels.
HOW: To learn more about the virtual happy hour series, watch past episodes, and to support those in need, please visit BreedersCup.com/Convos.
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
