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| ( photos via: Hallmark Media and Great American Media edit: itsawonderfulmovie.com / click to enlarge image ) |
Happy First Weekend of May, Friends!
It’s time to saddle up for a weekend full of romance, heart, and a little horse-powered fun!
As the excitement builds for the Kentucky Derby, airing Saturday on NBC, the Hallmark Channel is off to the races with an Andrew Walker movie marathon on Saturday on both the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery, and on Saturday night, it's the premiere of Kentucky Roses, a charming new Hallmark romance starring Hallmark favorite Andrew Walker alongside Odette Annable, who makes her exciting Hallmark debut.
And the weekend fun doesn’t stop there...
On Sunday, When Hope Calls: Brookfield airs on Great American Family with episode five, and emotions are running high as Nora and Mountie Michael finally step into first-date territory! Meanwhile, the women of Brookfield come together in what promises to be another inspiring and heartfelt episode. And believe it or not, we’re already heading into the home stretch with only two episodes left in Season 3!
So whether you’re cheering on your Derby favorite, enjoying an Andrew Walker marathon, or spending Sunday evening in Brookfield, this weekend is shaping up to be one worth watching! See more details below...
Saturday, May 2, 2026:
Andrew Walker
Saturday Movie Marathon
Andrew Walker Movie Marathon
Saturday, May 2nd:
Bridal Wave ... Hallmark Channel ... 8am
Date with Love ... Hallmark Channel ... 10am
Curous Caterer: Fatal Vows ... Hallmark Mystery ... 10am
Appetite for Love ... Hallmark Channel ... 12pm
Curous Caterer: Foiled Plans ... Hallmark Mystery ... 12pm
Sweet Autumn ... Hallmark Channel ... 2pm
Curous Caterer: Forbidden Fruit ... Hallmark Mystery ... 2pm
The 27-Hour Day ... Hallmark Channel ... 4pm
The Reluctant Royal ... Hallmark Channel ... 6pm
Kentucky Roses ... Hallmark Channel ... 8pm *NEW
Saturday, May 2, 2026:
Storyline: A greenhouse worker and the son of Churchill Downs' CEO form an unlikely pair, coming together to save the Kentucky Derby rose blanket and uncovering a generational love story along the way.
Promo:
Premieres Saturday, May 2, 2026
at 8pm/7c on the Hallmark Channel
Sunday, May 3, 2026:
Season 3 - Episode 5
Episode 5 - Salvation: Nora and Fletcher grow closer; the women of Brookfield rally together; Tess takes drastic action; Sam and Maggie reach a turning point; Reverend Daniels addresses the town.
Promo:
Premieres Sunday, May 3, 2026
at 8pm/7c on Great American Family
Happy watching this weekend, everyone. I'm excited to see how Kentucky will be represented in Kentucky Roses, from the Thunder Over Louisville celebration to the Kentucky Derby race, flowers, and fashions!!! I have a feeling this story is going to gallop straight into our hearts!
And When Hope Calls: Brookfield looks like it will have plenty of potential romance, charm, and maybe a few surprise hurdles along the way!
If you'd like to share a review for any of the programming this weekend or any previous weekend... please feel free to share in comments.
Blessings to You All!
Net
☀️ SHINING HIS LIGHT: ☀️
“I press on toward the goal
to win the prize
for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 3:14
Really looking forward to Kentucky Roses, have enjoyed a lot of the Hallmark content this year
ReplyDeleteThis didn’t disappoint, what a lovely movie
DeleteKentucky Roses is definitely 1 of Hallmark's best non Christmas movies of this year! -Maria
ReplyDeleteLoved Kentucky Roses.
ReplyDeleteWe also enjoyed Kentucky Roses. It was great to see Andrew again and Odette (Sadie) was fantastic in her first Hallmark movie. I hope we see more of her!
ReplyDeletefelt like I was in a really good rom com mood tonight with 3 DVD's:
ReplyDeleteHer Pen pal
The Baker's Son
As Luck would have it
-Maria
And I'm still on a kick today!
DeleteAll Summer Long
Flip that Romance
Falling for You
-Maria
Kentucky Roses was fantastic! Finally a new movie I will watch over and over! Andrew Walker...well...he's Andrew Walker. Has he ever had a bad performance or lack of chemistry with his costars? If so that would be rare even if the story line wasn't the best. That's not the case with this movie. Story was great and different and the chemistry was definitely there! Odette Annable was a pure delight and I hope we will see her in many more movies. Family friendly by the way too! It's a must watch!
ReplyDeleteHere are specific Hallmark movies featuring horse racing or training:
ReplyDeleteKentucky Roses (2026): Centers on the excitement of the Kentucky Derby, featuring the iconic Churchill Downs racetrack, rose garland, & Derby fashion.
Hats Off to Love (2025): Follows a designer who meets the son of a socialite who is training a horse for the Louisville Derby.
Win, Place, Love (2026): A romantic movie revolving around horse racing.
The Long Shot (2004): A Hallmark Entertainment movie about a woman working with a horse and its trainer, available through streaming services like Prime Video.
Taking the Reins (2021): While focused on horse jumping and overcoming past fears, it features high-stakes equestrian competition.
Autumn Stables (2018): Features a woman who runs a horse ranch & falls for the man who buys it.
Derby (1995): A romantic drama about a woman returning to her parents' horse ranch.
The Christmas Stallion (1992): Focuses on protecting horses on a farm
Kentucky Roses was really cute! Andrew is one of my fave Hallmark men so I love anything he’s in. I think he had great chemistry with Odette and I loved seeing all the flowers, attire and horse racing. I also enjoyed the flashbacks of the previous love story. I will say for those watching with family/younger kids- Hallmark is getting more sensual in their kissing scenes. This one really zoomed in on the kissing scenes, showed a lot more than older movies I’m noticing lately. Just an observation.
ReplyDelete~Paula
Kentucky Roses was just ok for me. Andrew Walker had a southern accent the 1st 10 mins of the movie, then tried to add it in, then by end it was completely gone.
ReplyDeleteI was lost in many parts, like how Sadie got a job with Andrew's mom and had to have it in 2 days, not sure how anyone thought that would go. And the whole scene with her at a market asking if anyone had roses was plain dumb. Not even sure how she saved the day, I guess those "wild flowers" did it. Flowers I am sure Andrew's mom knew they had. I do not understand.
I liked the actress and Andrew and thought they had chemistry, I kind of liked the back story, of course another grandma didn't marry love interests grandpa. So Gigi never told anyone and just kept necklace and then died never telling? Maybe I missed that part, cause it got very slow in the middle.
I mean Sadie has 2 days to do flowers for a new job, and 2 other jobs, and she is hanging with Andrew walker and they are dancing. Not sure how she got it all done.
And of course, the 17th or whatever place never wins, and surprise, it did. I mean didn't see that coming.
I wish I was a bigger fan of the derby, but its never been my thing nor all the crazy hats and all the "famous" people that have to be there and pictured in hats, like Travis Kelce years ago in his bucket hat. The flowers are pretty and all, but it seems to me in the last few years its been a bunch of people having to be pictured there in hats.
I did see Danica there and she looked pretty. The movie was just ok for me, not spectacular and I guess just magically now she is a florist and not a greenhouse girl. I know there is a difference, I just feel they tried to make that into a big deal when if you want to be a florist, be a florist. Its not like a doctor or anything.
Saw commercial for Mahjong movie, and I can sure see the backlash HM is getting. Of course, I always felt they were pushing this mahjong and culture thing to get viewers. And now it does sure look pretty bad when seeing the previews. And, I still do not ever hear of mahjong at all.
Sabrina
Hi Net,
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I finally got around to watching "Kentucky Roses" yesterday. We have been on vacation. Yes, we actually went out of town, over Derby weekend! LOL! Anyway, it honestly hurts me to write this, because I adore Andrew and we were so excited about this movie, for numerous reasons, but the film did not live up to our expectations. Andrew has been very vocal about how much he enjoyed making the film as has Odette. They were both in attendance at the Oaks and Derby. He has really been promoting the movie and has nothing but admiration for my hometown. So, I feel guilty about my feelings toward the film. To us, it was just okay. We liked it, for the most part, but we did not love it. It was definitely a one-time watch. I don't know. I can't put my finger on it but something was lacking. I did not think the two leads had romantic chemistry. I could tell they had a good time together but again, I was expecting more.
Kentucky Roses – The opening of this movie immediately swept me away with its beautiful, nostalgic pictures and videos of various Kentucky Derby races through the years. As someone who has always adored the charm and beauty of Kentucky, it was such a treat to see Churchill Downs take center stage in this movie. The scenery, traditions, and Derby spirit gave the movie such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Walker was wonderful as Ash Taylor. I especially enjoyed watching his emotional journey with his father, the CEO of Churchill Downs, whose personality is larger-than-life. After a storm damages one of the legendary spires, Ash takes on the challenging task of restoring it, and through that challenge, we slowly see the relationship between father and son begin to heal and grow stronger, with a little loving encouragement from Ash’s mother along the way. Those family moments added a heartfelt depth to the story.
And speaking of lovely… Odette Annable was charming in her first Hallmark movie as Sadie. She brought such warmth and grace to the role, and I especially adored the stunning dress and headpiece she wore in the final Derby scene - simply beautiful!
As for Sadie’s dream of becoming a florist, I kept wondering why she couldn’t continue helping at her mother’s greenhouse while also pursuing floral design. We have a greenhouse nearby us that offers both services, so it is certainly possible!
As for the romance, Ash and Sadie were sweet together, but for me personally, the chemistry never quite reached that magical, butterflies level I always hope for in a Hallmark romance. There was also a secondary historical love story woven throughout the movie that I found fascinating, though it was bittersweet by the end.
Overall, Kentucky Roses is wholesome, family-friendly, and a lovely tribute to the beauty, tradition, and heart of Kentucky and the Derby. While it may not rank among my personal favorite romances, I still enjoyed spending time in this charming Kentucky setting. ~Net