In The Gate

We count down the top American thoroughbred races of 2020. Plus, Barry Abrams says farewell (for now) - ESPN Audio will not be offering this podcast in 2021.

Keith Jones, the 2nd-longest tenured track announcer in American racing (behind Richard Grunder at Tampa Bay), turns off his mic for the last time after 34 years at Parx Racing near Philadelphia. Plus, what does the domination of 1 of the 3 foundation sire lines of the sport over the other two mean for the future of the breed?

What must horse racing do to connect with its would-be future audience, Gen Z? A roundtable panel discusses this issue.

With Gulfstream Park West closed for good, what is the future of racing in South Florida? Plus, if you could implement a rule that would lower the fatality rate for racehorses, would you do it? Not everyone has.

As 2021 nears, so does the expanded commitment by many major racetracks - including the three Triple Crown tracks - to ban Lasix from horses competing in stakes races. Plus, will winter racing soon be coming to the island of Antigua?

Kentucky Derby-winning Bob Baffert has hired a vet just to oversee the dispensing of medication to his horses. What does that mean for the industry? Plus, what can larger racing countries learn from the threat to the thoroughbred breeding industry in Norway?

Former Marine office and Keeneland president James E. "Ted" Bassett reflects, on this Veterans' Day, on being wounded in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II, turning down the presidency of the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain to take an entry-level position at the then-unheralded Keeneland Race Course, and a distinguished career in the sport that resulted in his Racing Hall of Fame induction in 2019.

Our panel of experts break down the biggest races of Breeders' Cup weekend? Will any of Bob Baffert's 3-pronged Classic attack overcome Tiz The Law? Will American horses overcome the mighty Europeans like Magical on the turf?

In the Breeders' Cup Classic, Tiz the Law looks to avenge his Kentucky Derby loss. Plus, owner Bo Hirsch - who sends out Distaff contender Ce Ce - fondly remembers hanging around in his childhood with stars like John Wayne and Jimmy Durante.

Jockey David Cohen returns from physical and other challenges with a chance for Breeders' Cup glory. Plus, Factor This - once claimed for $62.5K - has a chance to take down royalty in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Lifelong owner/trainer Barry Abrams (not to be confused with the podcast host) loses his 15-year battle with throat cancer a month before his most successful horse - Mo Forza - runs in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Plus, Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Happy Saver comes from a dynastic, iconic family whose story involves cunning, seduction, unspeakable violence, and one of the most iconic brand names in the world...the House of Chanel

Trainer Ken McPeek sends out 4-time graded stakes winner Swiss Skydiver against Kentucky Derby winner Authentic in the Preakness. Plus, how will the Kentucky Supreme Court's ruling on so-called "historical horse racing" impact racetracks' ability to sustain themselves?

Will the star-crossed Maximum Security continue his push toward the Breeders' Cup when he tackles stablemate Improbable in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita?

Who will win the 146th Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks? Plus, jockey Manny Franco has the best seat in the house for the Derby - aboard the Belmont Stakes winner, Tiz The Law.

Trainer Tommy Drury finds himself in the unlikely position of saddling formidable Kentucky Derby contender, Art Collector. Plus, a leading owner/breeder in Libya rebuilds after a rebel militia ransacks his farm and kidnaps his horses.

Co-owner Captain Autry Lowry is even braver than his Kentucky Oaks-bound filly. Plus, should American racing replace the claiming system?

Owner Sol Kumin bids for a 2nd Ky. Derby win with Authentic. Plus, among those not in attendance on Derby/Oaks day are school kids who rely on those days to help fund their schools' sports.

Tiz The Law takes on Uncle Chuck and other contenders in the Travers Stakes. Plus, Blue Grass Stakes winner Art Collector looks to solidify his Kentucky Derby status in the Ellis Park Derby. Molly Jo Rosen analyzes.,

Leading Kentucky Derby contender HONOR AP runs his final Kentucky Derby tuneup in the Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar. Plus, jockey Umberto Rispoli, who is in his first year of riding here in the United States, leads the Del Mar jockey standings.

Presumed Kentucky Oaks favorite Gamine fails a drug test in May, then wins the Grade I Acorn Stakes by 18 lengths in June. Should she have been allowed to run at all? Plus, a revolutionary new kind of betting on horse racing - fixed-odds wagering - is about to roll out in the United States.

For the first time since 1984, someone other than Trevor Denman will be calling the races at old Del Mar in San Diego - NBC's Larry Collmus. We'll talk with him. Plus, will Maryland's imminent adoption of a restrictive whip rule become a trend?

On American Independence Day, a colt called English King tries to win the Epsom Derby. Plus, thoroughbred racing in the States heads for a "Who Moved My Cheese" moment involving grooms and stablehands.

Why do field sizes for stakes races seem to be so low? Plus, how the COVID-19 shutdown led to a protest at a major thoroughbred track in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Chris "The Bear" Fallica previews the 1st leg of an unusual Triple Crown - the Belmont Stakes. Plus, the intrigue behind Patrick Biancone, trainer of Belmont entry SOLE VOLANT

A discussion of racism and the social unrest in the United States as seen through the prism of thoroughbred horse racing.

Trainer Blaine Wright sends out Anneau d'Or in the Santa Anita Derby. Will the added sign-ups on racing ADWs yield long-term gains? Plus, Barry comments on social unrest.

Dr. Post hopes a delayed Triple Crown works to his benefit. Plus, a horse that once played Seabiscuit in the movie now helps kids with autism.

Will Mr. Monomoy be able to return in time for a delayed Kentucky Derby? Plus, the COVID-19 shutdown leaves a couple of racing jurisdictions fighting for survival.

Breeders' Futurity winner MAXFIELD stands to benefit from a delayed Derby. Plus, in a precursor to major U.S, tracks re-starting, we discuss European tracks that have resumed.

Will the still-unraced Cezanne become trainer Bob Baffert's 4th (& maybe best) Derby hopeful? Plus, how is horse racing taking advantage of being the only game in town?

My Friends Beer looks to pound down the big boys in the Arkansas Derby. Plus, what would happen if all 13 Triple Crown winners hypothetically raced each other?

Who'd believe that our podcast leading to the 1st Saturday of May would come from...Fonner Park, in Grand Island NE? Plus, a quantifiable measure of horsemen's COVID-19 angst

An Australian bloodstock agency conducts the first-ever online yearling auction. Plus, Santa Anita officials push to restart racing at the Arcadia, CA oval.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance president John Phillips discusses the ramifications of a possible spike in racehorse retirements due to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano discusses contracting COVID-19. Plus, a business owner that relies on Keeneland's spring meet is struggling to make ends meet.

Independence Hall hopes Saturday's Fla. Derby is a preamble to a Ky. Derby win in September. Plus, we remember 2 harness racing trainers who died from COVID-19.

Former CLE/DET 1B/DH Victor Martinez has King Guillermo ready for the Derby, even in Sept, Plus, an updated intv w/Keeneland pres. Bill Thomason on cancelling the April meet.

Are reforms proposed in a new bill introduced in the California legislature too strict? Plus, we remember an upstate New York woman whose idols were the jockeys of Saratoga

Will Nadal, the horse, become a champion worthy of his namesake? Plus, a new way to track thoroughbred aftercare.

One year after the height of the Santa Anita fatality situation, a new standing PET scanner reveals potential bone fractures before they become catastrophic.

Are race purses more important to the industry than gambling dollars? Plus, we set the table for the Kentucky Derby prep season. Who are the leading contenders so far?

Daniel Centeno rides not just to win a 7th Tampa Bay jocks' title, but for a higher purpose. Plus, how social media scuttled the proposed return of a retired G1 winner.

Will the almost-Derby champ, Maximum Security, take home a big year-end honor? Plus, what's the future for the home of the world's first-ever million dollar race?

We count down 2019's Races of the Year! Are any Breeders' Cup races in there? How about Horse of the Year candidates? How does our list compare with yours?

The Pearl of the Carribbean racetrack in St. Lucia is lavish & glamorous, but controversial also. Plus, a history of dirt in American racing. Will synthetics eventually win?

Do racehorses know whether they've won or lost a race? The answer has important implications. Plus, new research on horses displacing their palates (breathing problems).

A number of major racing organizations form a Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. Plus, the potential Stateside implications of an Australian trainer's overturned drug suspension.

The injured group of Veterans who met (and bet on) the unlikely Kentucky Derby winner. Plus, Marine Corporal Tom Knust has spent a lifetime in racing.

Veteran handicappers Molly Jo Rosen and Brisnet's Ed DeRosa break down 7 of the Breeders' Cup races. What big upset do they predict?

Retiring rider Eurico Rosa da Silva hopes for a Hollywood ending in Tinseltown. Plus, a look at the first S. Korean-based horse to compete at the upcoming Breeders' Cup

Saffie Joseph Jr prepares 31-1 Penn. Derby winner, MATH WIZARD, for the BC Classic. Plus, Sophie Doyle enjoys the ride on Cotillion winner STREET BAND heading into the Distaff