Drake appears with Louisville-native rapper Jack Harlow at Kentucky Derby

Rapper Jack Harlow, a Louisville native, appeared alongside fellow rap artist Drake at the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby — where the two were reportedly filming a music video.

Lexington Herald-Leader reporter Monica Kast spotted them on the red carpet and filming the crowd, and the Courier-Journal in Louisville reported that the two were shooting a music video for Harlow’s new song “Churchill Downs,” which features Drake.

Drake and Harlow also appeared in the stands, waving to fans and calling out to them:

The two also gave an interview, in which Drake confessed, in good humor, to having a few too many Mint Juleps.

“I had to show up. I’m so proud of this guy,” gesturing to Harlow. “And we’re drunk — he’s sober. I’m drunk.”

Asked if they had a horse in the race, Drake said the two had placed Exacta bets, wagering on which horses would finish the race first and second, in the correct order.

Harlow quickly added: “We were forced to make a move on the one and only Happy Jack.”

The horse, whose odds were at 20-1 as of about 6 p.m., is Harlow’s favorite.

This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 8:14 PM.

Aaron Mudd

Lexington Herald-Leader

Aaron Mudd was a service journalism reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, Centre Daily Times and Belleville News-Democrat. He was based at the Herald-Leader in Lexington, and left the paper in February 2026. Support my work with a digital subscription