Should Churchill Downs invite Sports Radio Talk host Jim Rome to do  his show during Kentucky Derby week?

Sports Radio Talk host Jim Rome is part owner of 4 year old Mizdirection who won the Monrovia Handicap at Santa Anita this week.  Mizdirection won the race by 1¾ lengths with Garrett Gomez aboard.  After the win, Rome appeared on HRTV saying, “Garrett Gomez can host the show tomorrow,” Rome exclaimed afterward on HRTV. “Garrett can do my TV show; it’s Garrett’s world, whatever he wants. Garrett Gomez is burning. I’ve had a lot of really good things happen to me in business and in life, but nothing has ever felt as good as that felt, in a professional sense. I don’t know anything that’s ever felt that good.”

Rome continued, “It’s awesome (to share the winner’s circle ceremony with that many people). The winner’s circle keeps getting bigger and bigger, but as long as she runs like that, it’s not going to be a problem at all.”

After poking fun at horse racing for years, saying “it’s not a sport, it’s a bet”, Rome seemed to take more interest in horse racing after interviewing jockey Kent Desormeaux many times on his talk show.  Rome has since taken up a strong interest in buying thoroughbreds. He was a part owner in Wing Forward, who in his North American debut, made a dramatic last-to-first comeback to win a race.  Rome mentioned it as “one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had”.  In 2008, Jim and his wife Janet purchased a stake in a 2 year old named Gallatin’s Run which might have been a shot at the Kentucky Derby.  Alas, Gallatin’s Run did not make it to any Triple Crown races.

The Oliver Stone film ‘Any Given Sunday’ features John C. McGinley playing the brash sportscaster “Jack Rose”, which is a character based on Jim Rose.

Wouldn’t it be great if Jim Rome did his ESPN show from Louisville during Kentucky Derby week?  Or just think of the interviews there would be if there was a 3 year old out there for Jim Rome to be a part owner in.  That would make for a very colorful 2012 Kentucky  Derby.  We’ll see!