New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and his model girlfriend Marissa Ayers turned heads on the red carpet as they arrived at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Dart, who completed an impressive rookie season in the NFL, joined a host of football luminaries at Saturday's race, including Bill Belichick, Rob Gronkowski, DeAndre Hopkins, Kyle Rudolph, and Cody Ford.
Dart and Ayers Steal the Spotlight
The Giants signal caller looked every bit the part in Louisville, sporting a stylish white pinstriped suit with a matching hat, a navy shirt, and fashionable sunglasses. Ayers, an influencer and boxing ring girl who has been dating Dart for nearly a year, opted for a stunning light blue dress and an elegant fascinator as she accompanied her partner to Churchill Downs.
Belichick and Hudson Enjoy the Races
Bill Belichick, 74, also enjoyed a day at the races with his girlfriend, 25-year-old former cheerleader Jordon Hudson. The couple attended Friday's Kentucky Oaks, which was postponed later than its traditional 6pm post time due to television scheduling, much to the dismay of Louisville locals. Hudson dazzled on the red carpet in a glamorous black dress and matching fascinator on Saturday, with a suited-and-booted Belichick following behind her.
Gronkowski and Kostek Add Star Power
Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who won four Super Bowls under Belichick, attended with long-term partner Camille Kostek. Gronkowski wore a smart navy blazer, blue shirt, and beige pants, while Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Kostek posed in a black polka dot dress with a matching bag and hat.
Other Sports Stars in Attendance
The Kentucky Derby also drew big names from other sports, including retired NBA player Avery Johnson and ex-WNBA star Sue Bird, who recently announced her split from soccer icon Megan Rapinoe. Nate Burleson, the former NFL wide receiver turned CBS presenter, sported a standout outfit: a white pinstriped suit jacket featuring images of two giant roses on the front, paired with matching shorts.
Derby Day Drama: The Puma Scratched
The 152nd Kentucky Derby promised to be memorable, despite a last-minute reduction to 19 horses. The Puma was scratched due to a swollen leg from a skin infection, announced by Churchill Downs officials less than 12 hours before the 6:57pm ET post time. Trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr. and his son Gustavo Delgado Jr., the horse had opened at odds of 10-1, dropping to 8-1 by Friday. 'It's incredibly disappointing, but the swelling should go down within a day or two,' Delgado Jr. said. 'It's just really bad timing.' The father-son duo previously won the Derby with Mage in 2023. Another father-son team, Bill and Riley Mott, made history as the first pair to each have a horse in the race since 1964.
