Florida Panthers Hope to Keep Championship Run Going at the Kentucky Derby

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Kentucky Derby is today and the Florida Panthers certainly have a rooting interest.

Again.

Owner Vinnie Viola is a part-owner of Sandman, who is one of the favorites at 5-1 to win the 151st Run for the Roses.

Viola, and the Panthers, are hoping that Sandman ends up in the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs as Viola’s Always Dreaming did in 2017.

Considering Viola celebrated with his team after they won the Stanley Cup last June, it would be quite a year.

“You almost feel like you’re the victim of an embarrassment of riches, quite frankly,” Viola said in 2018.

Indeed.

The Panthers are well aware of the high stakes today in Louisville even as they prepare to play Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Monday in Toronto.

“The 17 horse,’’ Sasha Barkov said. “Sandman. That’s who we’re rooting for.’’

Said Sam Reinhart: “We’re both looking for our second win.’’

Update: In the end, Sandman went off at 6-1 and finished seventh. Sovereignty (5-1) came out with the win, Journalism (3-1) placed, and late entry Baeza (12-1) showed.

Final Gambit (30-1) was fourth.

A number of Florida Panthers players gather in Louisville for the 144th Kentucky Derby in 2018. From left: Mark Pysyk, Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trocheck, Nick Bjugstad, Keith Yandle and Jamie McGinn. // Photo courtesy @FlaPanthers

A year after Viola won the Kentucky Derby with Always Dreaming, he and his wife Teresa brought a large number of players from the Panthers to Louisville to enjoy the festivities and to root on Vino Rosso.

While the Panthers had a great time on a muddy Derby Day, Vino Rosso went off at 12-1 and finished ninth.

Aaron Ekblad, one of the few remaining players from that Florida team, was playing in the World Championships and did not join his teammates — Vincent Trocheck, Keith Yandle, Nick Bjugstad, Jonathan Huberdeau among them — in Louisville.

“I wish I could have gone,’’ Ekblad said. “But this is awesome, we love watching it and it gives me a reason to watch the Kentucky Derby today. I am rooting for Sandman all day long.

“This is cool, and it’s figurative of us, right? We’re a horse in the race. As much as Mr. Viola is rooting for us, he is rooting for his horse. We all want that. It’s good for all of us.’’

Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on NBC.

”We’ll be watching and cheering for the Viola family with Sandman today,’’ coach Paul Maurice said. “It’ll be a big day. We won’t miss that.’’

2025 NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: GAME 1

FLORIDA PANTHERS @ TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Best-of-7 Series

• When: Monday, 8 p.m.
• Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
• National TV/Streaming: ESPN
• Radio: WQAM 560-AM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Series Schedule — Game 1: Monday @Toronto, 8 (ESPN); Game 2: @Toronto TBA; Game 3: @Florida TBA; Game 4: @Florida TBA; Game 5*:@Toronto TBA; Game 6*: @Florida TBA; Game 7*: @Toronto TBA.
• How They Got Here: Toronto d. Ottawa 4-2; Florida d. Tampa Bay 4-1
• This Season (Panthers Won 3-1) — At Florida: Panthers 5, Leafs 1 (Nov.27); Panthers 3, Leafs 1 (Ap. 8). At Toronto: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (March 14); Maple Leafs 3, Panthers 2 (April 2).
• Last Regular Season: Tied 2-2
• All-time Regular Season Series: Toronto leads 51-40-7, 7 ties
• All-time Postseason: Panthers d. Toronto 4-1 (2023 ECS)