LOUISVILLE, Ky. — From the winner’s circle to the quiet morning backstretch, the partnership of George Taylor, Sr. and Jerry Dixon, Jr. at Churchill Downs is doing more than just prepping a filly for a race; it is revitalizing pride and legacy in the “sport of kings.” While the Black horseman’s impact is often relegated to history books, it is a dynamic element of the sport’s future for this duo.
Whether their three-year-old filly, Power to Glory, wins her racing debut, loses, or finishes in the money, the outcome carries a weight beyond the box score. By simply entering the gates, Taylor and Dixon are reclaiming a heritage once dominated by African-American pioneers like Isaac Murphy and Jimmy Winkfield.
For George Taylor, Sr., an owner from Hopkinsville, Ky., the journey to the paddock began in the stands.
“I always used to go to Churchill Downs … the older guys would say, ‘We’re going to watch the ponies,’” Taylor said. Sitting alone as a child with popcorn and a soda, he watched the thoroughbreds with a sense of wonder. “I really became mesmerized at that point. I had this dream of how it would feel for me to own my own thoroughbred racing horse.”
Despite the challenges of entering an industry with limited modern representation, Taylor never let go of that vision. Now, after only six years in the business, he finds himself on the undercard of the Kentucky Oaks, representing Taylor Thoroughbred LLC at a magnitude he once only imagined.
The path to this Friday’s seven-furlong dirt event was nearly derailed by a physical setback. Power to Glory, described by her team as “very talented,” recently underwent essential knee surgery performed by the late Dr. Robert Hunt. In the high-stakes world of racing, such a procedure can often lead to premature retirement. However, Taylor and Dixon chose patience over haste. They oversaw a rigorous rehabilitation process, trading high-speed breezes for months of hand-walking and close observation.
“I was speechless when I got the information from Jerry Dixon, Jr. that we were entered,” Taylor said.
Trainer Dixon understands the significance of this moment better than most. He gained national recognition as a key figure — and a winning groom — behind the 80-1 Kentucky Derby upset of Rich Strike in 2022. Now transitioning into the trainer’s role, Dixon is vocal about the need for greater visibility and mentorship for Black horsemen.
“I would love to be a pioneer to help young Black men or young African American children to get involved with horse racing,” Dixon told the AmNews. “It changed my entire life … I never dreamed of any of this in the world.”
When the gates open for the fourth race this Friday (a Maiden Special Weight on the Kentucky Oaks undercard), Power to Glory will carry more than just jockey Fernando De La Cruz. She carries a deep bond between generations of horsemen and a $120,000 purse that pales in comparison to the historical weight of the moment.
While the field of 12 other fillies is daunting, Taylor remains optimistic. “Like all the other horses racing, they will be breaking their maiden for the first time,” Taylor said. “Therefore, the race is wide open for her to do what we’ve trained her to do.”