As the first Saturday in May approaches, the air at Churchill Downs is thick with more than just the scent of blooming magnolias and mint juleps. The 152nd Kentucky Derby is upon us, promising the "most exciting two minutes in sports" to a global audience of millions. But this year, the international spectacle of the Triple Crown’s first leg features a narrative rarely seen in the sport’s storied history: a father and son dueling for the same blanket of roses.
The Mott family name is already etched into the bedrock of American racing. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott—the mastermind behind our home team at Dream Maker Racing—is no stranger to the winner's circle. After the historic 2019 victory with Country House and his more recent "old-fashioned" triumph with Sovereignty in 2025, Bill enters this year's fray with the formidable Chief Wallabee.
However, the spotlight has widened to include his son, Riley Mott. After a decade as his father’s top assistant, Riley launched his own stable in 2022 and has since skyrocketed to the pinnacle of the sport. Making his Derby debut this year, Riley saddles two contenders, Albus and Incredibolt, creating a rare father-son showdown that hasn't been seen on this stage in over six decades.
While the Motts aim for the winner's circle, they—and every other competitor—run in the long shadow of history. Every year, the clock at Churchill Downs is measured against the gold standard: Secretariat. In 1973, "Big Red" tore through the 1 1/4 miles in a blistering 1:59 2/5, a record that has remained untouched for over half a century. It is the ghost every trainer chases and the benchmark that defines true immortality in the sport.
For those of us at Dream Maker Racing, this spring is particularly poignant. Having Bill Mott as our trainer means we are witnessing first-hand the dedication and "horse-first" philosophy that has built this dynasty. Whether it's the high-stakes drama of the Derby or the upcoming summer meets, we are looking forward to an exhilarating season with the horses Bill prepares for our stable.
As the gates swing open and the roar of the crowd rises, we'll be rooting for the Mott family. In a sport that moves so fast, it’s a beautiful thing to see a legacy being passed from one generation to the next, one furlong at a time.
That’s exactly the kind of energy that makes this sport so infectious! There is nothing quite like that "bench" clearing—watching those winter breakers return to the track with fresh legs and big dreams is where the summer magic really begins for the Dream Maker Racing family.
The buzz around the next generation is clearly building:
Magavi: Already a name that’s starting to roll off the tongue of racing fans. With the Mott stable behind them, the expectations are rightfully high.
The Epicenter x San Saria (IRE) Filly: Talk about a blue-blooded powerhouse! Crossing the speed and grit of Epicenter (the 2022 Eclipse Award Champion Three-Year-Old Male) with the class of an Irish-bred mare like San Saria is a recipe for something special. If she’s as "blisteringly fast" as she looks in morning works, a name better be something iconic.
The suspense is indeed palpable. Between the Mott family legacy unfolding at the Derby and these rising stars preparing for their debuts, the Dream Maker colors are set for a massive season of racing.