At the track, on the air, and behind the scenes, women are making the Kentucky Derby happen—and this year, history could be made. While only 17 women have ever trained a horse to run in the first 151 editions of the Derby, and just six have ridden in the race, the influence of women at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May extends far beyond those numbers.

Cherie DeVaux is poised to become the first woman to train a Derby winner with her contender, Golden Tempo. She's surrounded by hundreds of influential women who power the event—from the barns to the broadcast booth. "I often hear about women being involved in a male-dominated sport, but for me it feels like it's my sport," says Donna Brothers, a former jockey turned NBC broadcaster. "Women are an integral part of it. You see a lot of exercise riders, female grooms, and hotwalkers. Unfortunately, you still don't see a lot of women in the top names—top jockeys and top trainers—but I think we're getting there."

Brothers is joined on NBC's coverage by Britney Eurton, who has been immersed in horse racing her entire life as the daughter of trainer Peter Eurton. Meanwhile, Lindsay Schanzer made history four years ago as the first woman to produce the Kentucky Derby, and this year marks her fifth time leading the charge. "It's not just a male-dominated sport but also a male-dominated industry, sports TV, so I feel great pride," Schanzer says. "I feel honored to be in this position and to represent the team that I have as best I can."

For DeVaux, the gravity of the moment hit when she saw a young girl on the backstretch near her barn. "It would be irresponsible of me to not acknowledge that what I'm doing does inadvertently make a difference, even if it's not my intent," she reflects. Growing up with seven brothers and two sisters, DeVaux adds, "My brothers are a lot bigger than me, so I think that's what..."—a reminder that in a sport built on heart and horsepower, the women behind the scenes are just as essential to the show.