_Kentucky Roses_ centers around Ash Taylor and Sadie Moore, individuals from different backgrounds who are unaware of their shared family history. Ash’s family is prominently connected to Churchill Downs, though he avoids using his actual surname, Reed, to distance himself from the perception that he's exploiting the name for his construction business. Meanwhile, Sadie’s family manages the race track’s greenhouse, but she aspires to be a florist. Their paths cross in an endearing encounter on the field, and a relationship develops before being complicated by the discovery of their families' past. Will they manage to overcome this obstacle? It is, after all, a Hallmark movie—what are your thoughts? Jamie Pachino’s script effectively presents a streamlined look at what goes into preparing for the Derby, skillfully balancing Ash’s and Sadie’s narratives while demonstrating how both are pressured by their families to embrace their heritage in distinct ways. The revelation of their relatives from 1932 feels somewhat exaggerated, and it's disappointing that Sadie reacts emotionally instead of simply discussing the situation with Ash to clarify things. However, a Hallmark romance inevitably requires some conflict to separate the couple before they realize how much they need each other. Director Clare Niederpruem makes excellent use of Kentucky’s scenery, having full access to Churchill Downs—including footage from the 2025 Derby—and depicting events leading up to race day, such as the draw and Winsday Wednesday. Some viewers have expressed disappointment about certain events not being shown, but given that it's a ninety-minute film primarily focused on Ash and Sadie, it isn’t intended to be an exhaustive history of the Derby. Andrew Walker delivers an outstanding performance, embodying Ash with a relaxed demeanor that proves useful when he faces disrespect from his construction crew while overseeing repairs to the damaged spire—a job he feels he received largely due to his father's position as CEO. Odette Annable is equally good as Sadie, committed to honing her floristry skills while navigating relationships with her mother, her employer at the flower shop, Ash’s family, and her own feelings for him. _Kentucky Roses_ proves to be another enjoyable and captivating Hallmark romance, benefiting from its beautiful settings and two appealing leads. It may not be the most inventive or thrilling offering within the Hallmark catalog, but it provides a pleasant diversion from reality for ninety minutes.

Source on TMDB