🏇🌹It's a Kentucky Derby Romance -- Andrew Walker and Odette Annable Star in Hallmark’s "Kentucky Roses"

It's off to the races with the Hallmark Channel and Andrew Walker and Odette Annable in Kentucky Roses!

While the Hallmark movie Hats Off to Love was also set at the Kentucky Derby, it was actually filmed in Florida. Kentucky Roses, however, was filmed last year at the iconic Churchill Downs in the beautiful bluegrass state of Kentucky. (For those who want to be more technical, Kentucky is officially a commonwealth.)

You can find more details on this exciting production, galloping onto the Hallmark Channel this May, in Hallmark’s official press release below…

See Andrew Walker's announcement video at the end of this post!

HALLMARK MEDIA AND

CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

PARTNER ON

KENTUCKY ROSES

AN ALL-NEW ORIGINAL MOVIE

CELEBRATING THE PAGENTRY

OF KENTUCKY DERBY DAY,

PREMIERING MAY 2

ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

AND STREAMING NEXT DAY

ON HALLMARK+

ANDREW WALKER

AND

ODETTE ANNABLE

STAR ALONGSIDE

ALLY LEDFORD,

PEYTON MEYER,

BRYNN THAYER

AND GREGG HENRY

Shot on Location at Churchill Downs Racetrack

Film Includes Jewelry Collection Exclusively in Hallmark Gold Crown Stores

Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”) are proud to announce Kentucky Roses, an all-new original movie shot on location at the iconic Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby®. The movie stars Andrew Walker (Three Wisest Men, She’s Making a List) and Odette Annable (Supergirl, Walker), alongside Ally Ledford (His Nerd), Peyton Meyer (Girl Meets World, Days of Our Lives), Brynn Thayer (Fatal Attraction, Suits), and Gregg Henry (Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy), and celebrates the pageantry, tradition, and enduring spirit of the Kentucky Derby. The movie wrapped production last year and is set to premiere May 2, 2026 on Hallmark Channel, streaming next day on Hallmark+. The partnership continues in Hallmark Gold Crown stores with a collection of romantic jewelry inspired by the movie.

“Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs are both legacy brands, each with more than a hundred years of history. Additionally, we share a commitment to giving generations of fans a memorable experience that fosters deep connections,” remarked Jessica Callahan, Vice President at Hallmark Media. “Together, we’re thrilled to bring audiences an inspiring story of community, courage, and time-honored traditions.“

Kentucky Roses unfolds across two timelines—present day and 1932—at Churchill Downs. In present-day, Sadie Moore (Annable) works in the Churchill Downs greenhouse, dreaming of becoming a florist and one day contributing to the Derby’s garland of roses, just like her great-grandmother, Gloria (Ledford). As Derby Day approaches, Sadie meets Ash Taylor (Walker), the son of Churchill Downs’ CEO (Henry), who’s been asked to do an emergency repair on the iconic Twin Spires after a storm left one damaged. Both Sadie and Ash feel the weight of family legacy and the desire to carve out their own paths. Sparks fly, and their budding romance is complicated by a long-buried connection between their families—a bittersweet love story from the past that threatens to repeat itself.

Kentucky Roses is a Hallmark Media production.

# # #

ABOUT HALLMARK MEDIA
Owned and operated by Hallmark Cards, Inc., Hallmark Media is entertainment’s leading destination for feel-good content. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original movies, scripted series, and the popular annual holiday franchise, Countdown to Christmas. Hallmark Mystery features a unique mix of movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres, as well as its own seasonal programming event, Miracles of Christmas. Hallmark Family showcases timeless storytelling for the whole family centered around faith, love, and community. The company’s subscription streaming service and membership program, Hallmark+ offers a distinctive blend of all new, exclusive original series and movies, next-day access to Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery premieres, plus monthly discounts and rewards for shopping at Hallmark Gold Crown retail stores. For more information, please visit Corporate.HallmarkMedia.com.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY
The Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the longest continually held major sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, The Run for the Roses® and The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®, the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The 152nd Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.

Tickets for the 152nd Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 1-2 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com, or call (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.


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Andrew Walker's announcement:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hallmark Channel (@hallmarkchannel)

I love that this movie is set at the historic racetrack in Kentucky and was actually filmed at Churchill Downs. I'm already imagining how beautiful this setting will be on screen.

I remember Andrew sharing quite a few photos from the Derby last year, and now it’s clear he had even more reason to be enthusiastic- knowing he was filming this movie there!

Please share your thoughts on this movie in comments below. Are you familiar with Andrew's co-star, Annabelle?

I hope this May movie news brings you a little hope and warmth of Spring!

Happy movie-watching,

Net

Make Special May Moments and Memories --- Details on NEW "When Calls the Heart," "Blue Ridge," and "Into the Wild Frontier" -- SEE HERE:

Happy Weekend, Friends!

This is one of those extremely rare weekends with NO NEW Movie Premieres. I know some of us will miss them, while others may enjoy this brief break. Hallmark will return with a new rom-com next week as the network begins *Countdown to Summer*.

The first Saturday in May is well-known for the iconic Kentucky Derby. This year is a monumental celebration, as it is the 150th run for the roses. Horse racing, I must say, isn't something I generally follow throughout the rest of the year, but the Derby and the state of Kentucky hold a special place in my heart due to family ties there, and hearing the song "My Old Kentucky Home" always brings a tear to my eye. (I sure miss hearing them sing the lyrics, though.)

Speaking of horses, even though there aren't any new movies this weekend, there are new episodes of When Calls the Heart, Blue Ridge, and the season finale of Into the Wild Frontier, and horses will likely be seen in all three.

See all of the details below...


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Sunday, May 5, 2024:

Into the Wild Frontier

Season 4 finale

“John Mullan: Roadbuilder of the West”

About the Episode via INSP: Young Army officer John Mullan heads west to help establish an important wagon route through the Northern Rockies. But, before he can build his road, Mullan must survive the hardships of the frontier and a dangerous encounter with Yakima warriors.

Into the Wild Frontier

Premieres Sunday, May 5, 2024

at 6pm/5c. on INSP

********************


Sunday, May 5, 2024:

Blue Ridge: The Series

Episode 5 - Land Grab:

A beloved local horse trainer is killed on the eve of her retirement, and when Justin's team discovers her will, it contains a last-minute change that may be the reason for her death.

Blue Ridge: The Series

airs Sunday, May 5, 2024

at 8pm/7c. on the Cowboy Way Channel

********************

Sunday, May 5, 2024:

When Calls the Heart

When Calls the Heart images via Hallmark Media
edit via HeartiesTeamWCTH

With Anna returning to the show this week after being away at teacher's college, it's a special time for all of the young ladies in Hope Valley. The pictures above nostalgically depict the women of Hope Valley, along with the young women, "the next generation"! It's amazing to see how much these young girls have grown up before our eyes through their years on When Calls the Heart—in the past 11 seasons!

Of all the relationships on When Calls the Heart, the friendships of these ladies are truly among the most beautiful!

Episode 5 - “Stronger Together” :

Storyline: Hickam and Lee clash with the mayor of Benson Hills, and Gowen suggests a solution with huge implications for the town. Elizabeth and Nathan clear up a misunderstanding.

When Calls the Heart

airs Sunday, May 5, 2024

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

********************

Programming Notes:
(highlighting some of this weekend's classic movie stand-outs...)

When Calls the Heart Stars Movie Marathon

Watch your favorite stars from When Calls the Heart in back-to-back movies on Saturday, May 4, including the rom-coms: Feeling Butterflies, You Had Me at Aloha, Winter Castle, and It Was Always You.

*Please note: Three films during this marathon- Romance to the Rescue, A Lifelong Love, and A Tail of Love have side characters in a same-sex relationship. Click on their titles for reviews.

Hudson and Rex Season 5 Marathon Sunday on UPtv

*Please note: I haven't pre-screened these episodes, but I have heard while the earlier episodes are enjoyable and family-friendly, some of the season 5 episodes of this police drama may contain content that is not for children. Viewer discretion is advised.

Something's cooking up on Hallmark Mystery this weekend.

There's a marathon of Murder, She Baked and Hannah Swensen Mysteries movies on Saturday and Sunday, and a marathon of Curious Caterer Mysteries on Saturday, with an encore airing of their newest premiere: Curious Caterer: Foiled Plans.


********************

I hope you all have a lovely first weekend in May! What a beautiful time of year it is to see everything bloom and grow. "April Showers, bring May flowers!"

Please note: I haven't pre-screened the new episodes mentioned above. If you'd like to leave a review, please share in the comments below.

Have a pleasant and peaceful weekend, everyone!

Blessings to you all!

Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, 

for from it flow the springs of life."

~Proverbs 4:23

LOVE and MYSTERY are Blooming this Weekend on TV with Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Lori Loughlin, Jack Wagner, Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison, Barbara Niven, Jane Seymour, and More!

And they're off... It's the first weekend of MAY, which, of course, means hats, horses, and Run for the Roses - Kentucky Derby time, as well as lots more Movies & Specials blooming on TV!

When Calls the Heart

"Heart and Soul"

Available on DVD - pictured above!

*See the 3rd Episode of When Calls the Heart: "Heart and Soul" Saturday May 2, 2015 at 8PM/7c. on the Hallmark Channel. (repeats at 11PM/10c.)

Episode Details - "Heart and Soul": Elizabeth and Jack remain worlds apart and Abigail finds out the devastating truth about Bill Avery.

Ratings for the 2 Hour WCTH Premiere:
"The highly-anticipated season 2 premiere of Hallmark Channel’s original scripted series, When Calls the Heart, launched this (past) weekend to a 2.1 HH rating and 2.3 million total viewers, according to Live+3 data." (ratings details via Hallmark)

 

Murder She Baked:

A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery

*Premieres Saturday May 2, 2015 at 9PM/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!

Storyline: Hannah Swensen is the shop owner of the Cookie Jar, where much of the town's gossip percolates along with the strong coffee. But when a mysterious murder occurs, Hannah turns into a culinary detective and finds herself trying to solve the crime while getting caught in an unexpected romantic mystery of her own. (via Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)

 

Love by Design

*Premieres Sunday May 3, 2015 at 7PM/6c. on UP!
(repeats at 9PM/8c.)

Storyline: After losing her dream job at a fashion magazine -- and her boyfriend, Danielle heads home to Romania. With the help of her colorful family, she rediscovers herself and her love of fashion.

Love by Design is a Michael Damian film, who is the creator of A Princess for Christmas, The Sweeter Side of Life, A Royal Christmas, etc...!

For more details on the shows mentioned above, click on their titles:

• When Calls the Heart
• Murder She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery
• Love by Design

I hope you all have a Wonderful... "Stop and Smell the Roses" Weekend!

 

God bless, Net

Movies & More ~ First Weekend in May!

On Friday, May 4, 2012...

Duke will re-air twice on the Hallmark Movie Channel at 8 PM and 10 PM. See more times on the Family TV Schedule.





On Saturday, May 5, 2012...

It's "Kentucky Derby" Day! Pick your Favorite Horses and watch them race at 4 PM on NBC. Oh, there's nothing like that moment of hearing them sing, "My Old Kentucky Home!"

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Be sure to catch one of my favorite Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies, Front of the Class on the Hallmark Channel at 4 PM!



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Another inspiring movie, The Walmart Family Movie, Change of Plans, will re-air on Lifetime Movie Network at 8 PM and 12 AM!



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Pride & Prejudice, an absolutely beautiful rendition of this Jane Austen story, starring Keira Knightley, airs on E ! at 8 PM.



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Firelight, the newest Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie will be on the Hallmark Channel at 8 & 10 PM



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And, if you are in the mood, perhaps, for a little silly Christmas Comedy, then you can watch Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! on the Disney Channel - at 9 PM and 12 AM.



On Sunday, May 6, 2012...

Catch another one of my favorite Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies, The Magic of Ordinary Days, on the Hallmark Channel at 2 PM or 8 PM.



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See the original, dark and mysterious, Jane Eyre movie from 1944, on TCM at 2 PM. See Movie



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Firelight, will be airing again on the Hallmark Channel at 4 PM

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A Taste of Romance airs on the Hallmark Channel at 6 PM

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Lake Effects, the newest Hallmark Movie Channel film, will PREMIERE at 8 PM and 10 PM.





Enjoy your next Family Movie Night and
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

TCM Special Movie Events - Bing Crosby, Kentucky Derby, Audrey Hepburn, and More!

It's a lovely start to May on TCM - with Bing Crosby Movies, a tribute of Horse Movies - all centered around the Kentucky Derby, plus Audrey Hepburn Movies, including My Fair Lady!!!!


Bing Crosby "Marathon of Movies"
- Monday, May 2nd on TCM:

8:25 AM JIMMY FUND - BING CROSBY (1957)

8:30 AM Going Hollywood (1933)

10:00 AM Road to Singapore (1940)

11:30 AM Road to Zanzibar (1941)

1:15 PM Road to Morocco (1942)

2:45 PM Going My Way (1944)

5:00 PM Blue Skies (1946)
.



And, it's off to the Races... time for the Kentucky Derby! It's our turn Americans to show how we can wear our Hats - and do it elegantly and lovely - with grand style! (and some, unfortunately, will wear them silly, too!)



Kentucky Derby "Marathon of Movies"
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011:

8:00 PM A Day at the Races (1937)

10:00 PM Stablemates (1938)

11:34 PM RACES TO REMEMBER (1956)

11:45 PM Fast Company (1953)

1:00 AM The Story of Seabiscuit (1949)

2:45 AM Glory (1956)

4:30 AM Pride of the Blue Grass (1939)

5:45 AM Sporting Blood (1931)

7:15 AM Big Boy (1930)




Who can forget Audrey Hepburn at the Races in My Fair Lady? I adore her fashion in the movie and all the beautiful musical numbers!

Audrey Hepburn "Marathon of Movies"
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011:

8:45 AM Love in the Afternoon (1957)

11:00 AM Green Mansions (1959)

1:00 PM The Nun's Story (1959)

3:33 PM Emergency Doctor (1956)

3:45 PM My Fair Lady (1964)



Please Note: I have not seen all of these movies listed above. I simply enjoy Movies with Bing, the Kentucky Derby, & Audrey... and wanted you to know they were airing this week! Enjoy!

Super Saver rides to victory in Kentucky Derby 2010 + New Disney Movie - Secretariat

Congratulations to Owner Bill Casner, Jockey Calvin Borel, and Trainer Todd Pletcher, whose Horse, Super Saver, is the 2010 Kentucky Derby Winner.

Super Saver is an absolutely beautiful horse and it was an amazing race, even if my pick fell back halfway through. Jockey Calvin Borel is amazing and his personal story is so sweet and precious... it would make a heartwarming and triumphant movie. He said he never dreamed he could win 3 Kentucky Derbys... but he proclaims he's going all the way to win the Triple Crown. I, for one, will be cheering him on. We haven't had a triple crown winner since 1978, so it's time!

The Next Race is The Preakness - May 15.

Also, during the pre-race coverage, they promoted a new Disney Horse Movie coming to the theaters in the fall, October 8th, 2010.... titled: Secretariat. It stars Diane Lane as Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery, John Malkovich as trainer Lucien Laurin, Fred Thompson (Republican U.S. Senator from Tennessee), Dylan Walsh, AJ Michalka, James Cromwell, Kevin Connolly, and More...  It looks like a sweet Disney story- here are some photos from the production...

Click Here for Trailer - for Secretariat, from Disney