Rick Pitino Kentucky Derby 2025 Ties: Journalism, Sandman, Grande

• Rick Pitino led to six different schools from the NCAA tournament.
• He has been involved in horse races for decades and has links with the Kentucky Derby 2025 field.
• Pitino has links with 3 horses in this year derby field: great, journalism and Sandman.

Rick Pitino was defined by Excellence in the ranks of university basketball coaches.

Earlier this year, it became the first coach to lead six different schools At NCAA tournamentguiding Saint-Jean to a seeded. The other schools he took to Dancing are University of Boston,, Providence,, Kentucky,, Louisville And Iona. He is one of only two coaches – John Calipari is the other – to take three different programs (United Kingdom, U of L and Providence) Final Four. And no other coach has won national championships in several schools, piloting the Wild cats by title in 1996 and the Cardinal at the top 2013. (Although the NCAA no longer recognizes its championship in LouisvilleLeave it, as well as 122 other victories, because of the violations.)

With its success on hardwood, Pitino has been involved in horse racing for decades. These connections continue to date, because it has several links with the 2025 Kentucky derby field.

Here is what you need to know about Pitino's links with the thoroughbred industry as a whole and this year Run for roses specifically:

Pitino was born and grew up in New York. For two seasons (1983-84 and 1984-85), he was assistant coach New York Knicks. He returned to become the team's coach for two more seasons (1987-88 and 1988-1989) later this decade. It was during his time with the Knicks that Pitino made his debut in the equine industry. He only pushed from there.

“”John's by In New York was my first coach, “said Pitino A press release published on Bloodhorse in 2007. “He sort of brought me when I was a New York Knicks coach. Then I entered the reproduction part and competitive races with Seth Hancockwho has Claiborne farmWhen I was at the University of Kentucky. “”

Pitino's first well -known race operation was called Celtic pride stableA nod to his work at the time. (He was the Boston Celtics“Head coach for 3 ½ seasons.) Meanwhile, Celtic Pride produced a pair of derby horses: Halory hunter (in 1998) and AP Valentine (in 2001). Halory Hunter ranked fourth in the race for the roses, in what was finally his last race; He suffered an injury to the foot before this year's preakness and retired to Stud. AP Valentine finished seventh in the derby, then won the honors in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Celtic pride was renowned later Ol 'Memorial Stablethat Pitino operated with three partners: Rick Avare, Chris Sullivan (British graduate and founder of Outback steakhouse chain) and one of his former players in the United Kingdom – Alternate Before Jamal Mashburn. The most notable victory in the memorial as a sole owner came in 2003, as From Francesca captured the Belmont breeders' cup handicapA 2nd year event.

Pitino returned as a derby owner in 2013, having a share of Golds via his Rap race brand. Goldence finished 17th In the 19 -horsepower field for racing for roses. But the Golds rebounded after that, winning the BREEDERS 'CUP DIRT Mile in the consecutive years (2013 And 2014) – the first horse to place first in consecutive years in the race, and the only one to do so until Cody's wish corresponded to the feat in 2022 And 2023.

Pitino remains active as owner in sport.

Rap race has started two races in 2025both with the same horse: Aggelos the Great finished second in a Optional allowance for the race for complaints January 16 at HippodromeSo won a Optional allowance for the race for complaints February 14, also at the aqueduct.

Mike Rapole has Stable repole. This year, Repole has a derby participant: Greatness.

Repole is also one of the biggest boosters in St. John's. Earlier this year, Front Office Sports reported “Repole announced that it would equal up to $ 1 million in donations to the Flat Top Fund, one of the collectives of St. John's. In March, more than $ 657,000 had been collected”, and all the donors were new.

Before last year's derby, Repole praised Pitino.

“I wanted him to train St. John's 10, 15 years ago,” said Repole at the time. “At 71, he motivates the (explanative) out of me. I am 55 years old, and he has energy and fire. I think that sometimes I train him. I say to myself: 'Rick, calm down. You won by eight (points).' '

“May we all have this fire at 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 and 71. It is simply incredible.”

Mike repole on Rick Pitino

Mike repole on Rick Pitino

Robert Lapenta is co -owner of Derby Starter (and one of the favorites of this year), Journalism.

His friendship with Pitino dates back to 1995. According to Bloodhorse“Lapenta organized a business lunch and called on Pitino as a guest speaker. Quickly, they became friends and in two years, the interest they shared in horse races led LaPenta to dig into his wallet and join the Ol Memorial stable in Pitino.”

This relationship finally led to LaPenta Help Pitino get the Iona work in 2020. Lapenta is one of the older former schools, with Iona's business school bearing its name.

“Bob was a great partner (horse race) and I became good friends with him and his son (Robert Jr.),” Pitino told Bloodhorse. “Her first wife is still my wife's best friend (Joanne). They have to speak three times a day on the phone.”

Pitino was proud when Lapenta also struck on his own.

“Bob has developed a real passion for possession of horses,” said Pitino. “My stable was only six or seven horses, so he called me and asked me if he could go out alone.

“I said to him” sure “, then I laughed and told her to be careful because there is deep waters there.”

Vincent Viola is one of the four owners with a participation in 2025 Derby Contenter Sandman. Also owner of the NHL Florida panthersViola considers Pitino a close friend. So, in fact, Pitino went to Circle of the winner of Churchill Downs in 2017 after Always dream (A thoroughbred alto St. Elias stable had an issue in) won the derby.

“I wanted to see them more than anything”, ” Pitino said.

Reach the backball and male football journalist from Kentucky, Ryan Black, at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @ryanablack.