Cedar Rapids native will play ‘Call to Post’ for the 27th straight year at Saturday’s horse race in Louisville, Ky.
May. 6, 2022 1:01 pm, Updated: May. 9, 2022 4:27 pm
When Steve Buttleman left Cedar Rapids, he didn’t really have strong feelings about the Kentucky Derby.
He was headed to the University of Louisville to study music and play the trumpet. At one time in high school, he did play during at a Derby party.
But that was about it.
A 1983 graduate of Washington High School, Buttleman now is as synonymous with the Kentucky Derby as the horses, jockeys, trainers, owners and mint juleps.
For the 27th straight year, the 56-year-old Buttleman will play “Call to Post” before Saturday’s 148th Kentucky Derby.
“I really enjoy doing this, meeting with fans and enjoying the experience with them,” he said in a telephone interview Thursday.
The Kentucky Derby is his marquee event, of course, but Buttleman does a lot more than just the one race each year. He plays the entire season at Churchill Downs, nine or 10 races a day, five days a week.
He also plays at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., as well as other events around Louisville looking for that “Derby experience” throughout the year.
“This is what I do,” he said, adding his wife is the “main breadwinner” in the family, but “I stay pretty busy.”
But there’s nothing like the Kentucky Derby and being heard around the world.
“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “It’s been building for over a month, at least the last two weeks.”
“We have a really good crowd around today.”
He got the gig 27 years ago by simply applying. He made the first cut, then the second. When it came down to two people, Buttleman and the other bugler played back and forth.
“I was lucky enough to be they guy they picked,” he said.
He doesn’t see himself putting his bugle away anytime soon. He said he hopes to be doing this for a long time, “as long as I keep playing well.”
And now, he loves horse racing, calling the horses and jockeys “incredible athletes.”
“I’m not good at picking the horses, but I do enjoy watching them run,” he said.
Comments: (319) 398-8461; jr.ogden@thegazette.com
Churchill Downs bugler Steve Buttleman plays for students at St. Jude Elementary in 2013 in Cedar Rapids. Buttleman will play “Call to Post” for the 27th straight year today at the Kentucky Derby. (The Gazette)
Steve Buttleman, the Churchill Downs bugler, is an emblematic figure in the realm of horse racing, particularly known for his rendition of the iconic "Call to Post" before the Kentucky Derby. His association with this prestigious event spans an impressive 27 consecutive years. Buttleman's journey from a Cedar Rapids native to becoming a celebrated bugler at one of the most renowned horse races in the world showcases his passion, commitment, and expertise in the domain.
Buttleman's expertise extends beyond the Kentucky Derby, encompassing a regular season at Churchill Downs comprising nine or ten races per day across five days each week. He's also involved in musical performances at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and various events in Louisville throughout the year, all in pursuit of that unique "Derby experience." His dedication to this craft is evident, considering it as his primary occupation despite his wife being the main breadwinner.
His selection for the role of bugler at Churchill Downs wasn't merely a stroke of luck. Buttleman's skill and musical prowess were instrumental in securing this prestigious position. He underwent a competitive selection process, showcasing his talent on the bugle against another contender, eventually winning over the judges and earning the honor to perform at the Kentucky Derby.
Beyond his musical contributions, Buttleman has developed a genuine appreciation for the sport of horse racing, acknowledging the remarkable athleticism of the horses and jockeys, even though he admits he's not adept at picking winning horses.
This depth of knowledge in music, coupled with his dedication to the Kentucky Derby and other racing events, solidifies Buttleman's authority as a bugler and a notable figure within the realm of horse racing.
Now, regarding the concepts in the article:
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Kentucky Derby: This is a famous horse race held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, renowned for its history, fashion, and as the first leg of the American Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
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Churchill Downs: The venue where the Kentucky Derby takes place. It's a historic racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, known for its role in hosting the Kentucky Derby since its inception in 1875.
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Bugler: A musician who plays the bugle, often associated with military ceremonies, but in this case, the bugler, Steve Buttleman, is known for playing the traditional "Call to Post" tune, signaling the horses and jockeys to the starting gates before races.
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Call to Post: A bugle call traditionally used in horse racing to alert jockeys and spectators that the horses are about to enter the racetrack.
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Keeneland: Another well-known racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky, hosting important horse racing events.
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Jockeys and Horses: The participants in horse racing. Jockeys ride the horses during races, and horses are the athletes competing in these events.
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Derby Experience: The unique atmosphere, tradition, and excitement associated with events like the Kentucky Derby, characterized by fashion, betting, and the thrill of the races.
Steve Buttleman's story intertwines these concepts, showcasing his journey from a musician studying at the University of Louisville to becoming an integral part of the Kentucky Derby's fabric as the bugler at Churchill Downs.
