Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds and twinspires.com Racing Analyst Joe Kristufek began his career in his native Chicago, climbing the ladder at the local racing venues. The 1989 rivalry between Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence and his nemesis Easy Goer got Joe hooked on horse racing. A self proclaimed “horse racing ambassador”, Joe’s industry experience spans from Dubai to Hong Kong to more than 35 tracks across North America. An award winning TV producer and fan development specialist, he relishes the challenge of scouting the nations top Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders months in advance. From the infield to the suites and now the paddock, Joe has attended 14 Kentucky Derbies in person. Follow Joe on Twitter: @JoeyDaKRacing

Derby Tiz the Law Dennis’ Moment Maxfield  Eight Rings Enforceable Scabbard Three Technique Green Light Go Gouverneur Morris Aljaaweed

Oaks Alandra Wicked Whisper Donna Veloce Mrs. Danvers British Idiom Letsstaypositive Skygaze Curlin’s Voyage Perfect Alibi Bast

Ed DeRosa is director of marketing for Brisnet.com, the official data source of the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires.com. Ed joined Churchill Downs Inc. in July 2011 following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times. He grew up in Cleveland and learned to love horse racing while going to Thistledown (now known as Jack Thistledown) with his grandfather. Before 2015, Ed had never seen a Triple Crown winner; he still hasn’t seen an Indians World Championship. Ed’s favorite horses are Real Quiet, Ghostzapper, and Rachel Alexandra. Follow Ed on Twitter: @EJXD

Derby Tiz the Law Dennis’s Moment Maxfield Eight Rings Letmeno Cost Basis Lebda Green Light Go Collusion Illusion Basin

Oaks Bast British Idiom Capture the Genie Specially Donna Veloce Letsstaypositive America’s Surprise Skygaze Inspiressa Infinite Patience

James Scully writes/handicaps for Brisnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com. He started working for Brisnet.com in 1998. A graduate of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, James has been a lifelong University of Kentucky and Cincinnati Bengals/Reds fan. He remembers watching Seattle Slew on TV and attended his first Kentucky Derby in 1981 (Pleasant Colony). Follow James on Twitter: @James_Scully111

Derby Tiz the Law Independence Hall Maxfield Anneau d’Or Dennis’ Moment Storm the Court Thousand Words Green Light Go Authentic South Bend

Oaks British Idiom Donna Veloce Alandra Finite Maedean Wasabi Girl Perfect Alibi Bast Wicked Whisper Amalfi Sunrise

Kellie Reilly, a staff writer in the Editorial Department at Brisnet.com, is a regular contributor to the TwinSpires.com blog and KentuckyDerby.com. Her articles have also been featured on NBCSports.com and in the official Kentucky Derby program. Kellie’s academic background is in history, culminating in an M.A. from her hometown University of New Orleans. A racing fan since childhood, Kellie is especially interested in pedigrees and the international racing scene. Follow Kellie on Twitter: @GallantFox1930

Derby Tiz the Law Dennis’ Moment Independence Hall Three Technique Maxfield Sharecropper Honor A. P. Thousand Words Anneau d’Or Storm the Court

Oaks Maedean Finite British Idiom Donna Veloce Bast Skygaze Alandra Wicked Whisper Lake Avenue Turtle Trax

Vance Hanson is a contributing writer and editor for BRISnet.com, TwinSpires.com and KentuckyDerby.com with over 20 years of Thoroughbred racing experience. Prior to joining the Churchill Downs Inc. family, he served as a publicity assistant at Canterbury Park in Minnesota, where he began following the sport in the late 1980s, and as a handicapper/writer for Daily Racing Form in Lexington, Kentucky. Follow Vance on Twitter: @VPHanson

Derby Maxfield Independence Hall Tiz the Law Green Light Go Gouverneur Morris American Theorem Structor Dennis’ Moment Storm the Court Anneau d’Or

Oaks British Idiom Donna Veloce Bast Alandra Amalfi Sunrise Finite Frank’s Rockette Perfect Alibi Wicked Whisper K P Dreamin

Scott Shapiro handicaps thoroughbred racing for Twin Spires.com, is part of the Churchill Downs on-air simulcast team, and analyzes professional football and college basketball for Bet America.com. Scott fell in love with thoroughbred racing when his father took him to Garden State Park in 1985 to see Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck race in the Jersey Derby instead of the Preakness Stakes. Scott graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1996 and remains a die-hard Badger football and basketball fan today. His favorite horses are A.P. Indy, Fly So Free, Victory Gallop, and Ghostzapper.  

Follow Scott on Twitter:@ScottShap34

Derby Maxfield Green Light Go Tiz the Law Gouverneur Morris Dennis’ Moment Independence Hall Basin Anneau d’Or Storm the Court Express Train

Oaks Donna Veloce British Idiom Alandra Bast Finite  Amalfi Sunrise Frank’s Rockette Wicked Whisper Specially Maedean