LEITCHFIELD, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2024) – Inspired by lessons learned during a leadership experience sponsored by Warren RECC, Grayson County High School senior Zola Nunn is encouraging her fellow students to register to vote.

“Voting is our opportunity to shape the future,” Nunn said while hosting a registration drive outside the high school cafeteria on National Voter Registration Day September 17 as part of the Co-ops Vote program.

With support from Warren RECC, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and her high school counselor, Nunn aims to educate and encourage eligible voters to register and participate in the upcoming elections.

“We are incredibly proud of Zola for taking the initiative to lead this important event” said Aggie Manion, Grayson County High School counselor. “It’s important that our students recognize the power they have to impact their community and the world around them.”

Nunn learned about the Co-ops Vote initiative during trips to Frankfort and Washington, D.C. as part of the annual Youth Tour program coordinated by Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, the statewide association of all 26 co-ops in the commonwealth. Warren RECC sponsored six students on the Washington Youth Tour this summer where delegates met Kentucky’s top political leaders and congressional staff, attended leadership seminars and toured national memorials.

“We are extremely proud of Zola and her initiative to make sure students her age are engaged in the political process” says Patty Kantosky, Warren RECC Vice President of Member Services and Information Technology. “The Frankfort and Washington Youth Tours are great opportunities for our students to learn more about how their government works and we are proud to be a part of them. We can’t wait to see what Zola and her fellow classmates accomplish as they go out into the world.”

The experience sparked a desire for Nunn to educate her friends, family and classmates about the importance of voting and raising voter turnout.

“I want to make sure that everyone knows how easy it is to register and that their voices can make a difference,” she said.

Since 2016, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives have partnered with the Kentucky Secretary of State on the Co-ops Vote program, a nonpartisan initiative with the goal of reversing a downward trend in rural voting.

A review of State Board of Elections data in the last ten presidential elections shows Kentucky voter turnout has yet to rebound since a steep decline in voter participation 28 years ago. In 1992, Kentucky reported 73.2% of registered voters cast a ballot in the general election. Just four years later, voter turnout dropped to 59.3%. Despite modest increases in subsequent presidential election cycles, voter turnout dipped even lower, to 59.1% in 2016, then clawed back to 60.3% in 2020.

According to the National Voter Registration Day annual report, 130,000 people across the country registered to vote or updated their registration on National Voter Registration Day in 2023. Alumni from the Youth Tour program, such as Zola Nunn, have also responded to the challenge by hosting voter registration drives.

“At the heart of every electric cooperative is the co-op principle of Concern for Community,” said Joe Arnold, Vice President of Strategic Communications. “Another co-op principle is Democratic Member Control. We are so proud of Zola for picking up the torch and embracing cooperative principles. By registering to vote as soon as they are eligible, then showing up at the ballot box in November, students like Zola are making voting a habit and strengthening our democracy.”

Those who are not registered to vote have until October 7, 2024, to register and be eligible to vote in the general election on November 5, 2024. Stop by your local county clerk’s office to register in person or click here to learn how to register online or by mail.

To learn more about Co-ops Vote, click here.

 

 

Five community projects are in the running for the 2024 Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award, an annual initiative of Kentucky Living, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and the Kentucky Governor’s Office.

Started in 2017, Beautify the Bluegrass recognizes community members across the commonwealth for their efforts to improve public spaces. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joined Kentucky Living’s Best in Kentucky Awards show on August 14 to congratulate the 2024 winners and announce the finalists for Beautify the Bluegrass.

“Thanks to Kentucky Living and Kentucky’s electric cooperatives for supporting homegrown beautification efforts across the commonwealth. We were so pleased to honor the Beautify the Bluegrass finalists at the capitol last fall and look forward to doing it again,” said Governor Beshear. “Congratulations to these finalists and thank you to all the volunteers who work to improve their communities. Looking forward to seeing all the beautification projects that happen around our great Commonwealth this year!”

This year’s Beautify the Bluegrass finalists, which hail from Lee, Daviess, Campbell, Boyle and Wolfe counties, were selected from among dozens of noteworthy projects across the state.

Big Rivers Electric and Kenergy

Landscaping for Habitat for Humanity Training Center, Daviess County
Over 20 volunteers from Big Rivers Electric, Kenergy, and contractors planted a landscaping barrier at the Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County Training Center, which offers hands-on homeowner training.

Danville Downtown Streetscape Project, Boyle County

The $6 million, two-year project transformed downtown Danville’s Main Street with wider sidewalks, buried utilities, new trees, upgraded the Weisiger Park fountain, and added outdoor dining, creating a safer and more inviting pedestrian-friendly area.

Devan Horton

Works of Art That Bloom, Campbell County

With a grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women’s Art as Activism, Devan Horton created plantable art materials from natural items, organized a community event to create art with them, and planted the artworks in a blighted lot, transforming it into a blooming native pollinator meadow called “Perennial.”

Jackson Energy and various Beattyville entities

Beattyville Highway 11 Welcome Sign, Lee County

Beattyville’s newly renovated welcome sign, funded by Jackson Energy, was revitalized by 24 volunteers who cleaned, repainted, installed solar lights, added flower planters, and mounted new flags, all with locally sourced materials.

Friends of Red River Trash Cleanups, Wolfe County

The Friends of Red River (FORR) hosts monthly cleanups of Kentucky’s only Wild and Scenic River, removing tons of trash and thousands of tires, and in 2024 released a documentary, *River Cowboys: Keeping it Wild*, highlighting these efforts, which premiered at the annual Wild & Scenic Red RiverFest.

Now through August 28, readers can visit KentuckyLiving.com to learn more about each project and vote for their favorite of the five finalists. Click here to learn more and vote.

Kentucky Electric Cooperatives recognized Tony Brannon as its 2024 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian during the co-op association’s 78^th Annual Meeting in Louisville.

Distinguished Rural Kentuckian is the highest honor bestowed by the association, which consists of all 26 electric cooperatives across the commonwealth. It recognizes outstanding individuals who have devoted their lives to Kentucky in a way that matches the co-op mission of enhancing the quality of life here. Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Chris Perry presented Brannon the award following a special video tribute. The full video can be viewed on the association’s YouTube channel.

“Having been born and raised on a farm and cutting my teeth on the steering wheel of a Model B Allis Chalmers tractor, I certainly felt rural.  Growing up as a teenager working in a dark tobacco patch, I’m not so sure I felt distinguished!  However, this rural upbringing and modest farm hard work ethic, combined with my Murray State education and 35 years of employment motivated me to a lifetime of service…for both agriculture and rural Communities,” said 2024 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Tony Brannon. “It’s not easy to serve Kentucky agriculture statewide from the far west, but with commitment and passion and working with colleagues from all across the state, I did the best I could.  To have this ‘best I could’ rural and agricultural service recognized as ‘distinguished’ by this prestigious organization is certainly a capstone career highlight.”

Brannon, the retired Dean of the Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University, is the 40^th Distinguished Rural Kentuckian. Since 1982, the association has honored recipients from the arts, politics, journalism, business, education, religion, athletics, and agriculture. Two former honorees were in attendance at this year’s banquet, 2018 recipient Warren Beeler and 2021 recipient David Beck.

“Kentucky’s electric cooperatives power the lives of Kentuckians in 117 of 120 counties. Because member-owned co-ops belong to and are led by the people they serve, we believe it is important to recognize those who share our commitment to improving the quality of life in our local communities,” said Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President and CEO Chris Perry.

The Annual Meeting’s banquet featured a keynote address from Anthony Robles. Born with one leg, Robles overcame a number of challenges to become the 2011 NCAA wrestling champion. His inspiring life story will be told in the motion picture, Unstoppable, in theatres later this year. Robles encouraged the co-op audience to never give up, learn from mistakes and obstacles and to “never let your challenge become your excuse to say you can’t do it.”

With a theme of Support, Advocate, Educate, the meeting, held annually in Louisville since 1948, included important updates on safety and communications with a focus on reliability and cost pressures faced by co-ops and their members.

Featured speakers included Youth Leadership Council delegate and Pennyrile Electric representative Mason Lovell of Muhlenberg County, RunSwitch PR Founding Partner and political strategist Scott Jennings, National Renewables Cooperative Organization CEO Michael Keyser and former Navy SEAL and noted sports performance specialist Jason Kuhn.

At a critical time for energy policy in Kentucky and the nation, members of the newly formed Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus participated this summer in the inaugural Electric University (Electric-U), a deep dive into how electric power is made and transmitted to homes and businesses across Kentucky. Outfitted with goggles, hard hats, and AV headsets, ten legislators witnessed the electric generation process first-hand during a tour of East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s Spurlock Station, a 1,346 MW coal power plant, along the banks of the Ohio River in Maysville. During the tour and a seminar in the facility’s technical center, energy industry experts and co-op staff answered questions posed by caucus members. “The primary focus of Electric-U is empowering lawmakers to understand the day-to-day realities of power generation and transmission,” said Chase Crigler, Government Affairs Director for Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “The electric co-op caucus continues to demonstrate a commitment to advocating for the interests of local co-op consumer-members across the commonwealth.” Electric cooperatives provide power to more than 1.8 million Kentucky residents and businesses in 117 counties. Caucus members who participated in the first Electric University:

• Senators:
  • Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe (Coop Caucus Co-chair)
  • Senator David Givens (Senate President Pro Tempore)
  • Senator Gex Williams
• Representatives:
  • Rep. Wade Williams (Coop caucus Co-chair)
  • Rep. Suzanne Miles (House Majority Caucus Chair)
  • Rep. Jim Gooch (House Natural Resources Chair)
  • Rep. Mike Clines
  • Rep. Dan Fister
  • Rep. Sarge Pollock
  • Rep. Bill Wesley

“We always appreciate the insights and transparency of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, “said caucus co-chair Rep. Wade Williams (R-Earlington). “This experience to see electric generation close up helps all of us legislate on these matters more effectively.” Since its inception late last year, 96 members of the Kentucky General Assembly have joined the electric cooperative caucus, making it the largest caucus in the legislature. “The intense interest in the co-op caucus underscores how important reliable and affordable energy is to Kentucky,” said caucus co-chair Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe (R-Lexington). “In addition to looking out for our constituents, co-ops power some of our largest industries.” With input from Big Rivers Electric Corporation, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and the Tennessee Valley Authority, cooperatives plan to make Electric University an annual event, in addition to regular updates and briefings for caucus members throughout the year and during session. “We were pleased to host the first ever Electric University, and we appreciate the cooperative spirit of these informed legislators and our fellow power providers in Kentucky,” said East Kentucky Power Cooperative President and CEO Tony Campbell. “It is imperative that our elected leaders have access to factual information, especially as government regulators and policymakers are faced with crucial decisions that affect reliability and energy costs.”

When the new school year starts next month, dozens of Kentucky high school seniors will bring with them a better understanding of the United States government, the nation’s history and each other after participating in the 2024 Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Washington Youth Tour this summer.

Sponsored by their local electric cooperatives, 56 students from across Kentucky made up the youth tour delegation that in June joined about 1,800 other students in Washington, D.C. representing electric co-ops across the country.

“The tour allowed me to connect with fellow students from across Kentucky in counties I had never heard of and build lifelong friendships,” said Lewis County High School senior McKenzie Cunningham, a Fleming-Mason Energy attendee. “This experience has inspired me to be an active and informed citizen, and I am grateful for the opportunity.”

At the U.S. Capitol, the students learned about the legislative process and asked questions of key staff members from Kentucky’s congressional delegation.

“When you stand there, there is a wash of feelings,” recalled Anna Sumrall, an Elizabethtown High School Senior sponsored by Nolin RECC. “Part of you feels small standing inside such fantastic buildings. But more than that, I felt empowered. This is where it happens. As a student with a deep interest for civics and government, no experience compares to that of being in DC. No lecture or documentary can chalk up to hearing our leaders speak about their jobs — and waiting for the day when you’re in their shoes.”

On the steps of the U.S. Senate, the students named Sen. Mitch McConnell as the first honorary Kentucky Youth Tour delegate, recognizing his decades of service and support of electric cooperatives. Mason Lovell, Kentucky’s Youth Leadership Council delegate, presented the senator with a Kentucky Youth Tour pin.

“Despite you being one of the busiest U.S. Senators and party leader for so long, you’ve always taken the time to speak with our group here in the Kentucky delegation of the Washington Youth Tour,” said Lovell, a senior at McCallie School who was sponsored by Pennyrile Electric. “That’s meant a lot to us. You’ve also been an advocate for rural electric cooperatives, which effects lives like mine. We really want to say thank you.”

“Actually, I ought to be thanking you,” McConnell replied. “This is a great group I enjoy coming to Washington every year.”

The delegation visited national memorials, museums and historic sites, including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery, where students presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“Most students on the trip, including me, had never been to Washington, D.C.,” said Luke Humphries, a University Heights Academy student sponsored by Pennyrile Electric. “Being able to take in all the history and national culture with other students from Kentucky was amazing. A particularly special moment was when our group went to the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon; I could feel the reverence and respect for the victims throughout the entire Kentucky group. That was a powerful moment, and I will definitely never forget it.”

Kentucky Electric Cooperatives has coordinated the tour since 1972, providing rising high school seniors the unique opportunity to witness our government in action.

“By exploring our nation’s capital firsthand, students gain not only knowledge of history, but also a sense of their own potential to lead and innovate in the world around them,” said Mallory Wafzig, manager of cooperative outreach and youth tour director.

“Each moment was not just about sightseeing but also about making lasting friendships and bonds with like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds,” said Natalie Sandlin of Jackson County High School, sponsored by Jackson Energy. “This tour not only broadened my perspective but also gave me a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to my community and beyond.”

“This trip was truly the experience of a lifetime,” added Daviess County High School senior Abby Riley, who was sponsored by Kenergy. “Getting to see all the memorials, historic monuments, and our nation’s capital with my own eyes was absolutely astonishing. And our group fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and everyone was friends with each other.”

“I feel more connected to the history of our country and its place in the world,” said Quentin Ellis, a Randall K. Cooper High School senior sponsored by Owen County Electric. “It’s important for trips and opportunities like this to exist, if only to help the future generations to gain a better understanding of the world.”

After the weekend’s storms, thousands of families in Kentucky were left without power. Kentucky’s 26 electric cooperatives are making great progress restoring electric service and are advising consumer-members on how long it will take until power is restored for everyone.

Co-ops reported that at the height of the outage, over 98,000 consumer-members without power. As of 10:00 AM (EST) on Tuesday, May 28, about 36,000 members were without power. For an updated outage map, click here.

Due to the high number of members without power, sister co-ops have come to lend aid in various regions: Fleming-Mason Energy sent a crew to Meade County RECC; Owen Electric sent ten crews to Cumberland Valley Electric; Pennyrile Electric welcomed contractors and cooperatives from Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and Georgia; and Gibson Electric received assistance from Pickwick Electric and Forked Deer Electric in Tennessee, Cruse Powerline in Mayfield and Tennessee Valley Electric.

“It is our top priority to ensure that our consumer-members’ lights turn back on as soon as possible,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “That’s why we are so proud of our 26 electric cooperatives’ diligent work to restore power quickly and safely.”

On Monday, Governor Beshear updated the Commonwealth on the status of power outages, fatalities caused by storm damage and the resiliency of Kentuckians. He was joined by Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. Read the press release here.

“Communities across Kentucky experienced storms that produced strong winds, multiple tornadoes and hail in some places. The storm knocked out power for thousands of Kentuckians, temporarily shut down numerous roads and interstates, and caused massive damage to homes and businesses,” said Governor Beshear. “But like we always see after severe weather events, first responders and everyday Kentuckians rallied to help each other in those toughest moments.”

“Crews mobilized yesterday and worked through the day and overnight to help clear roads of trees on state-maintained routes and to support first responder and utility restoration efforts,” said Secretary Gray. “Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing downed power lines first. Our Team Kentucky crews are dedicated to keeping travelers safe. Please watch out for them on the roads, drive alert and slow down.”

Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on the state’s ongoing response to strong storms that moved through the commonwealth yesterday.

“Communities across Kentucky experienced storms that produced strong winds, multiple tornadoes and hail in some places. The storm knocked out power for thousands of Kentuckians, temporarily shut down numerous roads and interstates, and caused massive damage to homes and businesses,” Gov. Beshear said. “But like we always see after severe weather events, first responders and everyday Kentuckians rallied to help each other in those toughest moments.”

Sadly, the Governor reported there are four confirmed fatalities related to the storms. The deaths occurred in the city of Louisville as well as Hardin, Hopkins and Mercer counties.

“That means we know that there’s at least four families this morning that suffered the loss of a loved one less than 24 hours ago and are hurting,” Gov. Beshear said. “We ought to rally around and do everything we can to carry them in the days, the weeks and the years to come.”

In addition to the four deaths, a Hopkins County man was injured and is currently in the hospital in critical condition.

The Governor is traveling to the hardest impacted areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to view storm damage and speak with local officials and family members. He also urged those who have experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and report the damages to local county emergency management officials.

Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray joined the Governor at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort to provide updates.

“Crews mobilized yesterday and worked through the day and overnight to help clear roads of trees on state-maintained routes and to support first responder and utility restoration efforts,” said Secretary Gray. “Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing downed power lines first. Our Team Kentucky crews are dedicated to keeping travelers safe. Please watch out for them on the roads, drive alert and slow down.”

KYEM Director Gibson stressed that help remains available, “The number I wanted to make sure that I shared with you is to our 24-hour watch center that is staffed around the clock here, and this number is not only good when we are in the middle of a storm but if there’s something that you need that you think that Kentucky Emergency Management can provide, we keep staff here 24-7. 1-800-255-2587 – that will be something you want to use if you’re having trouble making contact with your KSP post or local emergency management, as we know they are extremely busy right now.”

Key Updates

The Governor declared a state of emergency and implemented the state’s price gouging laws as storms produced multiple waves of heavy showers and thunderstorms, bringing strong winds, large hail and strong tornadoes. Consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.

The Emergency Operations Center was activated to a Level 3 status and response efforts by: Kentucky Emergency Management, Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Department for Public Health, the National Weather Service, Kentucky State Parks, Forestry, Red Cross and many others.

Fourteen counties have declared a State of Emergency. Emergency declarations in: Bullitt, Caldwell, Clay, Clinton, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McLean, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd and Trigg counties. The five cities with declarations are: Albany, Cadiz, Dawson Springs, Manchester and Russellville.

Owensboro Health in Muhlenberg County lost power and was operating on back-up generators before power was restored. There are also four long-term health care centers on generators, including two in Dawson Springs, one in the city of LaCenter and one in the city of Greenville.

The Division of Forestry has deployed seven saw teams to remove fallen trees and debris. The Kentucky National Guard has stepped up to help once again to join the Division of Forestry in Christian and Muhlenberg counties.

Our Kentucky State Police worked around the clock answering calls and responding to calls of distress. Unfortunately, KSP communication was hit hard by last night’s storms and several KSP post phone lines were knocked out. Several KSP posts have phone lines down and alternate numbers are being provided. These numbers are available at KentuckStatePolice.org and on KSP social media channels.

The Red Cross has one shelter open in Clay County after a tree fell on an apartment building and is currently sheltering six residents and is working to identify any additional needs.

High water, downed trees and other damage have been reported in about 45 counties, mainly in Western Kentucky.

Transportation crews, with assistance from forestry chainsaw teams, will continue to cut trees and clear debris as quickly as possible today to maintain access for emergency responders. Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing power lines first.

Motorists should avoid travel, especially in heavily damaged areas, to keep themselves safe and give crews room to work. If you must travel, stay safe by buckling up, watching for debris still alongside highways, and never drive through high water – turn around don’t drown.

Gov. Beshear added, “Kentucky has been through so much, and we continue to remain grateful for our first responders and transportation employees who are working to keep all our families safe and clear roadways.” (more…)

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the Environmental Protection Agency over its unlawful power plant rule.

“EPA’s power plant rule is unlawful, unreasonable and unachievable. It exceeds EPA’s authority and poses an immediate threat to the American electric grid,” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said. “Under the rule, EPA illegally attempts to transform the US energy economy by forcing a shift in electricity generation to the agency’s favored sources.”

“Reliable electricity is the foundation of the American economy. EPA’s rule recklessly undermines that foundation by forcing the premature closure of power plants that are critical to keeping the lights on – especially as America increasingly relies on electricity to power the economy.”

Both NRECA and a coalition of 25 state attorneys general, including Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, filed suit against EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

If allowed to take effect, the Biden Administration’s devastating energy rule would target existing coal plants and new natural gas plants with extreme emissions restrictions. The EPA’s crackdown would demand Kentucky’s coal-fired plants to take aggressive steps to curb emissions or force them to close. The government’s recommendations for cutting emissions rely on experimental and costly technologies that haven’t been proven to work.

“As member-owned cooperatives, we have a duty to fight for the Kentuckians at the end of the line who pay the price when bureaucrats carelessly inflict unrealistic and harmful regulations,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, an association representing all 26 co-ops in the commonwealth. “The EPA’s rule is an assault on the electric reliability Kentucky relies on to keep our communities safe, healthy and prosperous.”

Perry applauded Coleman and the other attorneys general across the United States who are also challenging the Biden Administration’s effort to shut down Kentucky’s coal and natural gas power plants.

“We are grateful for Attorney General Coleman and the coalition of attorneys general standing up for ratepayers in Kentucky and all across America,” Perry added.

As of 2022, coal and gas accounted for 95% of Kentucky’s electricity. The Biden Administration’s rush to take existing plants offline in favor of alternative energy sources undermines the reliability of Kentucky’s grid and could leave families and manufacturers without access to affordable electricity.

“Hope is not a strategy, especially when our jobs and our families are on the line,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Simply hoping that unproven technologies will be able to fuel Kentucky’s economy is irresponsible. The result of President Biden’s rule is clear: Kentucky families and job-creators will be cut off from affordable and reliable energy. We’re fighting this radical green agenda that would only leave Kentucky in the dark.”

 

Congratulations to Kentucky Derby 150 winning jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., a consumer-member of Shelby Energy, who delivered one of the most spine-tingling finishes in Derby history. Aboard the 18-1 shot Mystik Dan, Hernandez rode the rail and gamely held off the late charges of Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a head-bobbing result.

Hernandez and trainer Kenny McPeek combined to win their first Derby, one day after teaming up to win their first Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Thorpedo Anna.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, it’s so unbelievable. We came into the weekend thinking that we had a really big chance at winning both Friday and Saturday. For the horses to pull it off for us, we have to thank the guys back in the barn. It’s definitely a surreal moment,” Hernandez said.

So close was the margin in the $5 million Derby that it took several minutes for the order of finish to be posted, capping a dream weekend at Churchill Downs for connections.

“The last 20 years I’ve ridden in Kentucky, and as a young kid out of Louisiana, I had the chance of sitting in the same corner as Calvin Borel. Watching him ride all those Derbys all those years, and today with Mystik Dan, being in the 3 hole,” Hernandez said. “I watched a couple of his rides, with Super Saver and Mine That Bird, and I decided that we were going to roll the dice. That’s the nice thing about Kenny (McPeek), he lets me make those decisions. We had the right kind of horse to give him that kind of trip.”