Iowa’s Bugle Maestro: Nearly 30 Years of Melodies at the Kentucky Derby

This year's Kentucky Derby is already making history and not a single horse is even saddled up yet.

The race will kick off on Saturday May 4th at 5:57 PM local time at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This will be the 150th Run for the Roses with twenty horses from all across the country competing.

Besides the horses, tradition takes center stage at Churchill Downs.

One individual from the Hawkeye State is already a part of the grandeur and tradition of this sporting event.

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Meet Steve Buttleman

You might not always see Steve Buttleman on Kentucky Derby day, but you can definitely hear him!

Buttleman has been playing the bugle at the race for almost 30 years. 2024 will mark his 29th year of being Churchill Downs' official bugler.

Before every horse race at the track, Buttleman plays the "call to the post" and ushers in the 'most exciting 2 minutes in sports.'

He's Got Iowa Roots!

As originally reported in the Gazette, Buttleman is a Cedar Rapids native. After graduating from Cedar Rapids Washington high school in 1983 he moved to Kentucky and studied at the University of Louisville.

He is the official bugler of the Kentucky Derby. On average, he plays at anywhere between nine and twelve races a day at the iconic track.

When he's not playing at this iconic racetrack, he's participating in charitable events and promoting Kentucky tourism with the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Buttleman has been the bugler here since 1995, and from the looks of things, he'll be there for many years to come.

There's no sign of him stopping anytime soon!

You can stream the Kentucky Derby coverage on Peacock and YouTubeTV.

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