The Hallmark Channel’s newest movie, “Hats Off to Love,” premieres on Saturday May 3, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The movie stars Ginna Claire Mason, John Clarence Stewart and Holly Robinson Peete. Read on to learn all about where the movie was filmed and the cast involved.
‘Hats Off to Love’ Was Filmed in Florida
Although the movie takes place in Kentucky, it was actually filmed in Florida. According to FilmTampaBay, “Hats Off to Love” was shot mostly at Tampa Bay Downs, a horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County in Florida.
Bay News 9 shared that the movie was filmed in February and was the first made-for-TV movie filmed in Pinellas County since 2024’s back-to-back hurricanes.
Producer David Yates told Bay News 9 that they chose the filming location in Florida because of the weather. They needed to find a location that could double for Churchill Downs in Kentucky in the spring. And when they filmed in February, Kentucky was too cold and gray to be the location.
“We wanted to film something that was set in Kentucky, but it’s winter in Kentucky and very gray,” film director Amy Barrett told Bay News 9. “So we thought, where can we go where it would be sunny and look like spring?”
Tampa Bay Downs doubled for Churchill Downs in the movie, they added.
Parts of the movie were also filmed at the Quantum Leap Farm, according to a behind-the-scenes post. The farm was founded in 2000 and offers therapy programs for children and adults with special needs, cancer, and other diagnoses. The facility is a 20-acre pasture located in Odessa, Florida, with 13 horses, two donkeys, three goats, and one cat.
The movie was originally titled “Derby Romance.”
Actor Matheus Campos Doro also posted a behind-the-scenes video showcasing the cast and crew of the movie. He commented: “From behind the scenes to your screens! Hats Off to Love is coming soon to the Hallmark Channel — and trust me, you won’t want to miss this one. Honored to be part of this magical journey, produced by the amazing Cameron Brumbelow. Watch till the end for some exclusive moments you won’t see anywhere else!”
He also posted a “part one” video showcasing behind the scenes moments.
Claire shared in a post that the equestrian cast was provided by Kacey Hoyer, and Mae New York provided many of the dresses.
Meet the Cast
The movie’s synopsis reads: “Stella designs hats and fascinators for socialite Rosalind and meets her son Christian who’s training a horse to compete in the Louisville Derby.”
Ginna Claire Mason is Stella. According to her Hallmark bio, she just finished multiple years as Glinda in “Wicked” on Broadway. Some of her national tour and Las Vegas credits include “Wicked,” “Newsies,” “Flashdance,” and “Duck Commander Musical.” She starred in Hallmark’s “Holiday Spectacular,” “A Carol for Two,” and “A Heidelberg Holiday.”
John Clarence Stewart is Christian. According to his Hallmark bio, is credits include “Gotham,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” “What/IF,” “Luke Cage,” and more. He most recently starred as Big Teak in “P-Valley.”
Holly Robinson Peete is Rosalind. She’s an actor, author, activist and philanthropist. According to her Hallmark bio, she made her debut on the channel in 2015 and has starred in 15 films, such as “The Christmas Doctor,” “A Family Christmas Gift,” “Christmas in Evergreen,” “Our Christmas Journey,” and more.
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Where Was ‘Hats Off to Love’ Filmed? See Cast Stories & Locations