Author | Lightnews

John Clay

John Clay

@johnclayiv.bsky.social

1.6K followers 310 following 180 posts

Sports Columnist at Kentucky.com.

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John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · 6d

At the "No Kings" protest today in Lexington, Kentucky.

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · 28d

Bravo! golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Lynch: The Ryder Cup got stuck with the one thing it didn’t need — Donald Trump

Trump arrived at Bethpage wearing golf shoes, perhaps expecting that his success in winning golf tournaments might see him asked to suit up.

golfweek.usatoday.com

Reposted by John Clay

Ben Roberts @benrobertshl.bsky.social · Jul 31

Jasper Johnson has been talked about in UK basketball circles for years. Now, he's finally here.

Learn more about the Lexington native's game, with the one thing he should bring to the Wildcats immediately and what stands in his way of being a one-and-done NBA pick: www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

A basketball star is finally back home in Kentucky. One word sums up his game

Jasper Johnson should bring one thing, in particular, to Mark Pope’s second UK basketball team. But he knows he needs more to his game.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Jun 30

Beware what sprouts in a news desert kentuckylantern.com/2025/06/30/b...

Beware what sprouts in a news desert • Kentucky Lantern

My town's once robust newspaper was our town square. Its decline has left a news desert where anonymous Facebook posters fill the vacuum.

kentuckylantern.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Jun 27

My farewell column after 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader. www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

I was lucky, I got to do what I wanted to do. Now it’s time for something else

After 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, sports columnist John Clay is ready to check out other things in life.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Jun 23

Saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati on Saturday. My 13th Isbell show and one of the better ones. Great venue. "A rock and roll room for a rock and roll band," as Jason said.

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Jun 9

Some personal news. After 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, I am retiring at the end of the month. I've enjoyed every minute. Thanks to @JonHale_HL. www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...

Lexington Herald-Leader sports columnist, Hall of Famer John Clay is retiring

After more than four decades working for the Herald-Leader, John Clay is retiring at the end of this month.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 28

From the great Charles P. Pierce: Can The NBA Still Produce Interesting Coaches? - defector.com/can-the-nba-...

Can The NBA Still Produce Interesting Coaches? | Defector

Like brother Magary, I have been re-energized as a fan by this year’s NBA playoffs, although I do admit that watching Jayson Tatum take one of Paris’s arrows harshed my mellow considerably—classical a...

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 27

www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

I didn’t know the late horse racing trainer Christophe Clement. Now, I wish I had

The tributes have poured in for classic-winning trainer Christophe Clement, who died last week at age 59.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 23

My column: Once again, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven the rankings wrong. #BBN #ukbasketball www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Once again, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has proven the rankings wrong

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was nowhere near the most highly regarded signee among Kentucky’s stellar freshman class.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 20

Offensive coordinator stability has also been an issue. Five play-callers in five years. Bush Hadam heads into his second year at UK this season, which should help. Does he have the horses? We'll see.

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 20

My column: Las Vegas isn't being kind to Kentucky football, but that might be a good thing www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Las Vegas isn’t being kind to Kentucky football, but that might be a good thing

Circa Sports is out with its over/under win totals for the 2025 SEC football season.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 13

Pete Rose may now be a Hall of Famer. Not living to see it is punishment enough. www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Pete Rose may now be a Hall of Famer. Not living to see it is punishment enough

Major League Baseball has reinstated baseball’s all-time hit leader, but should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 13

My column: Reaction to penalties levied against Kentucky Derby winning jockey Junior Alvarado shows racing's disconnect. #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Reaction to penalties on Kentucky Derby winning jockey shows racing’s disconnect

The reaction to the fining and suspension or jockey Junior Alvarado for exceeding the maximum striking limit in the Kentucky Derby illustrates a horse racing problem.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 7

My column: Sovereignty skipping the Preakness is another reason to change the Triple Crown. www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Sovereignty skipping the Preakness is another reason to change the Triple Crown

The debate over the dates of the Triple Crown will pick back up now that the Kentucky Derby winner is skipping the Preakness.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 6

Horse racing will not have a Triple Crown winner this year. Sovereignty skipping Preakness. www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty bypassing Preakness to focus on Belmont

Trainer Bill Mott informed Pimlico officials that Sovereignty will not be making the trip to Baltimore.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 4

Sovereignty's connections soak in Kentucky Derby win, but running in the Preakness is far from a sure thing. #kyderby151 #Preakness www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Sovereignty’s connections soak in Kentucky Derby win, but undecided on Preakness

Trainer Bill Mott would not commit Sunday as to whether Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will run in the Preakness.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 2

Kentucky Derby sees its second scratch, dropping size of field to 19 for Saturday's race. #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 2

How 2025 Kentucky Derby horses in Saturday's field have raced on sloppy or muddy tracks. #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...

How 2025 Kentucky Derby horses have raced on sloppy or wet tracks

If it does rain at Churchill Downs on Saturday, here’s how Kentucky Derby 2025 horses have raced on muddy or sloppy tracks.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 2

Kentucky Derby 151's biggest question: Can anyone beat Journalism? #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Kentucky Derby 151’s biggest question: Can anyone beat Journalism?

There are other serious contenders, but Journalism is the solid and laid-back favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · May 1

Coal Battle is one of the best underdog stories in the 2025 Kentucky Derby. #kyderby
www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Coal Battle is one of the 2025 Kentucky Derby’s best underdog stories

The Louisiana-based Coal Battle is taking longtime trainer Lonnie Briley to his first Kentucky Derby.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Apr 28

Controversy will never be behind him, but Bob Baffert is back where he belongs. #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

Controversy will never be behind him, but Bob Baffert is back where he belongs

His bitter, prolonged battle with Churchill Downs finally over, the Hall of Fame trainer is back in the Kentucky Derby.

www.kentucky.com

Reposted by John Clay

katherine fitzgerald @kfitz134.bsky.social · Apr 26

Brandon Beane on Deone Walker says if they needed to play today, Walker could go, but the Bills do intend to get his back injury healthier and stronger -- he *could* be limited in the spring to be "more ready, more durable" for fall. Beane says he'll be full go for camp

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Apr 27

It looked like 2024 Kentucky Derby winning trainer Kenny McPeek might not have a horse in the 2025 Derby. Then Saturday happened. #KyDerby www.kentucky.com/sports/spt-c...

With a last-minute entry, Kenny McPeek is back in the Kentucky Derby

After winning the Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby double last year, trainer Kenny McPeek is back in the Derby, this time with a long shot.

www.kentucky.com

John Clay @johnclayiv.bsky.social · Apr 24

Why have Secretariat's records from the 1973 Triple Crown never been broken. It's simple -- Secretariat was a freak -- but also complicated. #KyDerby #TripleCrown www.kentucky.com/sports/horse...

Why have Secretariat’s records never been broken? It’s simple and complicated.

Records are routinely broken in other sports, but Secretariat’s record-breaking times in the 1973 Triple Crown have never been matched.

www.kentucky.com