Shedrow Stories

Joe catches up with NBC Sports/In the Money Media Correspondent Matt Bernier. We discuss his beginnings in the sport during college, Esquire Network's Horseplayers, growing the sport for future generations, the NBC Sports telecasts, joining ITM Media with The Matt Bernier Show, advice to newcomers of the sport and much more!

Joe catches up with trainer Robertino Diodoro and jockey David Cohen, the connections of Derby starter Keepmeinmind. Joe and Robertino discuss his start at bush tracks in Canada, managing over 100 horse across the country, making our sport cleaner, Special Relativity, Inside Straight, 2020 Oaklawn Leading Trainer title, his partnership with David Cohen, why Ava's Grace was scratched from the Kentucky Oaks and Keepmeinmind's chances heading into the first Saturday in May! Joe and David discuss his beginnings in California, Proud Tower Too's Golden Shaheen, Golden Ticket's DH victory in the Travers, overcoming injuries and loss, returning to the saddle in 2017, Special Relativity, proposing on Belmont Stakes day, teaming up with Robertino Diodoro and riding in his first Kentucky Derby aboard Keepmeinmind!

Joe catches up with multiple graded stakes winning rider Brian Hernandez Jr. We discuss his beginnings in Louisiana, family history in the sport, mentors on the Kentucky circuit, Aftercare efforts, Fort Larned's Breeders' Cup Classic, Funny Duck's upset win in the Pat Day Mile, what it's like to ride in the Kentucky Derby and his chances in this year's edition aboard King Fury!

Joe catches up with multiple graded stakes winning jockey Jose Ortiz. We discuss his beginnings in Puerto Rico, competing with his brother Irad, daily routine, dealing with setbacks, La Verdad, 2017 Belmont Stakes Day/Eclipse Award, Elate, Tacitus, Maxfield and his chances heading into Kentucky Derby & Oaks weekend aboard Crazy Beautiful & Dynamic One!

Joe catches up with the Executive Director of the NYTB Najja Thompson. We discuss his beginnings going to Calder and Gulfstream, his near decade of experiences at NYRA, ways to improve your resume, working as VP of the TPA, his new position as Executive Director of the NYTB, NY-Bred Showcase Days, diversity and inclusion, making the sport widely accessible and much more!

Joe catches up with racing analyst Britney Eurton of NBC and TVG. We discuss her family background in the industry, ways to get young people involved in the sport, the importance of sharing stories, her time at TVG, Storm the Court's Juvenile shocker, covering Justify's Belmont, the 2020 Triple Crown, TVG's Pacific Classic production, hosting the Eclipse Awards, the Hippity Hop Derby, Cocktails and Conversations, Saturday's Santa Anita Derby and more!

Joe catches up with multiple graded stakes winning trainer Brendan Walsh. We discuss his upbringing in Ireland, learning at Kildangan and the Irish National Stud, working as Assistant Trainer to Eddie Kenneally, doping, winning his first Grade 1, reaction to Extravagant Kid's recent G1 victory, Maxfield's future plans, Prevalence's chances in the Wood Memorial and much more!

Joe catches up with former champion jockey and current racing analyst for FOX Sports Richard Migliore. We discuss his beginnings in Brooklyn, the impact of Steve Dimauro Sr. on his career, the aptly named Win, Fourstardave's winning streak, Hidden Lake's 1996 Go For Wand, Artie Schiller's remarkable debut, winning the BC Turf Sprint on Desert Code, dealing with inquiries and injuries, his retirement in 2010, the "Insider Shows" of the mid-2010's and more!

Joe caught up with Gulfstream Park racing analyst Ron Nicoletti a few weeks back. We discuss his beginnings in New York, starting the Manhattan boutique Jenny Waterbags, clothing some of the most influential names in music, leaving the business to become a "salty seadog" in Florida, working for Gulfstream for over 30 years, pursuing an acting career, the Pegasus World Cup, Greatest Honour & more!

Joe catches up with former Miss Connecticut USA and current racing analyst for The Stronach Group and FOX Sports Acacia Courtney. We discuss her beginnings in Hunter/Jumper and Dressage, her career in dance, Miss Connecticut 2019, Racing for Home, the importance of sharing stories, her time at The Stronach Group, hosting FOX Sports' America's Day at The Races and Saratoga Live, ITM's In The Ring and Saturday's Curlin Florida Derby!

Joe chats with assistant trainer to Patrick Biancone, his daughter Andie Biancone! We discuss her beginnings in Southern California, growing the sport for the next generation, learning at Lambholm South, working for her dad, flying solo in Saratoga, possibly going out on her own in a few years, the success that 2020 brought to the team, Diamond Oops, Sole Volante, Ete Indien, rising stars in the Biancone shedrow and much more!

Joe catches up with Fair Grounds and Arlington Park Track Announcer John G. Dooley. We discuss his beginnings in Staten Island, working a variety of jobs for the New York Slapshots, filling in for Go For Wand's Beldame, preparing for the races, calling countless champions, memories from Arlington Park and the Fair Grounds, this weekend's Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby and much more!

For this week's first episode, Joe talks with multiple graded stakes winning trainer Tom Morley. We discuss his family roots in UK racing, the Godolphin Flying Start program, working under Jeremy Noseda, going out on his own in 2013, Haveyougoneaway's 2016 campaign, Carrick, tragically losing foreman Martin Zapata to COVID-19, his opinion on the top 3-year-old in training, Ninety One Assault's chances in the G2 Muniz Memorial and much more!

Joe catches up with Indiana Grand racing analyst Rachel McLaughlin. We discuss her beginnings in the sport, parenting during the pandemic, her wide ranging responsibilities around the track, Indiana Oaks/Derby, getting young people involved in the sport, her social media presence, Racing Rachel Merch, LTS' Brim & Bridle Fashion Show, picks for the Saturday's Rebel Stakes & much more!

Joe catches up with Electra Boone, Assistant Trainer to Carlos David. We discuss her beginnings as a fan in Ohio, learning under the nation's top trainers, spending time in Dubai, the claiming game, the complexities of racetrack romances, barn favorites, her rise to stardom on TikTok, passion for art and much more!

Joe catches up with exercise rider Jade Cunningham for episode 40! We discuss her beginnings in Tennessee, connection to Dolly Parton, time with Danny Pish, working Texas Chrome & Deviant for the Breeders' Cup, currently working under D. Wayne Lukas, From the Paddock to the Stretch, goals for the future and much more!

Joe catches up with Racing TV & NBC racing presenter Nick Luck. We discuss his family background with horses, studying French at King's College, what makes Royal Ascot is so special, Racing in the U.S. vs the U.K., his time at Channel 4 Racing, hosting Luck on Sunday on Racing TV, covering the Breeders' Cup for NBC, Cocktails and Conversations, Saudi Cup 2021 & much more!

We discuss her beginnings in Maryland, what the Preakness means to Marylanders, GreenMount Farm, bringing foals into the world, prepping them for the sales, pinhooking, pedigrees, taking care of Knicks Go for the first 7 months of his life, watching him compete at the highest level, her goals for the future and much more!

Joe catches up with trainer Miguel Angel Silva. We discuss his beginnings in Mexico, working a variety of jobs at Bay Meadows, managing his stable of around 90 horses, the hard-working individuals on the backside, the highly publicized Sleepy Eyes Todd, why he decided to go cross-country in 2020, how he's been training heading into the Saudi Cup, what it would mean to win the world's richest horse race, goals for the future and much more!

Joe catches up with veteran exercise rider Danielle Rosier. We discuss her beginnings in southern Indiana, skipping school for big races, her training career of over a decade, working miracles, Freakin Joe, Godspeed Rehabs & Layups, what she's learned from HOF'er D. Wayne Lukas, her special bond with Bravazo, riding stakes winners Will Take Charge, Bayern and HOTY Authentic & much more!

Joe catches up with author Jennifer Kelly. We discuss her beginnings reading the Black Stallion books, leaving her teaching job to pursue writing full-time, preserving the history of the sport, writing Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown, traveling around the country to promote the book, her upcoming book The Foxes of Belair and much more!

Joe catches up with Gulfstream Park Track Announcer Pete Aiello. We discuss his beginnings as a fan, going to the University of Arizona's RTIP, his role model Luke Kruytbosch, preparing for a race day, the concept of "real-time", rebounding from a bad call, dealing with inclement weather, "Who do you like here?!" the 2021 Pegasus World Cup and much more!

Joe catches up with newlywed jockeys Trevor & Katie McCarthy. We discuss the wedding, the highly controversial NYSGC Coupling Rule, competing with each other, a scary COVID-19 diagnosis, keeping a positive mindset through setbacks, riding in "bull-rings", Katie's upbringing in the Davis Family and first stakes victory, Trevor's 0-80 start, stakes success over the past decade, El Areeb and much more!

Joe catches up with journeyman jockey Johan Rosado, one of racing's rising stars. Joe & Johan discuss his beginnings learning from his father, daily routine & diet, the peaks and valleys of being a journeyman, his exciting 4-Win New Year's Day, his relationship with fiance Lacey Gaudet on and off the track, riding promising 3-Year-Old Jaxon Traveler and his goals for the future!

After a brief hiatus, Shed Row Stories is back! Our first guest for Season 2 is Amanda DaBruzzo, the co-founder of Nine-Thirty Racing. Joe and Amanda discuss her beginnings and memories at Arlington Park, getting involved in 930, FG Oaks-winning Chocolate Martini, Tom Amoss' impact on the team, her position at the Retired Racehorse Project, the importance of the backside experience and having fun at the races!

We discuss his beginnings learning from "The King", his dad's legacy, working for HRTV & TVG, Pacific Classic day, covering international racing, 2020 in Horse Racing and efforts to change the sport for the better. We wrap up our discussion previewing Saturday's Breeders' Cup Sprint, Distaff, Turf and Classic!

Joe & Ashley discuss her beginnings, graduating with a Master's in Applied Mathematics, her career outside of horse racing, visiting over 40 racetracks, growing the sport through social media, Triple Crown 2020, working at Fort Erie, being a part of HRRN's Eclipse Award-winning Breeders Cup Coverage, working at Laurel for the Maryland Million and Winter Carnival, and her most recent work through ABR with Betting After Dark and Woodbine Live! We wrap up our discussion by diving into the last 3 stakes on Saturday's card from Woodbine, including the 161st Queen's Plate!

Joe & Leah discuss her beginnings in the sport, attending the University of Louisville, a potential faceoff with Joe in an entrepreneurship competition, advice for taking a COVID test, studying abroad in Barcelona, cashing big and being just feet away from the Queen at Ascot, her odd first encounter with Mike Maker, growing the sport for generations to come, her work with Shadwell Farm, XBTV, NYRA and her current roles at NBC Sports & Stable Duel. We wrap up our discussion with a brief, but informative preview for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby!

Joe & jockey Adam Beschizza discuss his beginnings in overseas in the UK, the challenges of riding long distance races with large fields across the pond, why he decided to move his tack to the U.S., his long friendship with Joe Sharp, Mom's on Strike, Triple Chelsea's upset victory in the Giants Causeway, riding during the pandemic and riding in his first Kentucky Derby aboard Enforceable!

Joe & Paul discuss his beginnings, working for Andy Beyer, the now defunct fair circuit, his undefeated record as an owner in natural disasters, growing the sport for generations to come, the impact of social media on racing, tips for handicapping the races, winning the 2016 NHC, competing against his brother in tournaments and a preview of Saturday's card from Saratoga!

Joe & Barbara discuss memories from her near five decade career, being amazed by the immortal Ruffian, her new hobby of painting horses on her masks, the long and storied history of Saratoga Race Course, her 6 Eclipse Awards, authoring 7 books, the way she sees the world being nearly blind, the long hours of being a horse racing photographer, her goals for the future and much more! 

Joe & Christina discuss raising a family during the pandemic, childhood memories being the daughter of a jockey, her progression in broadcasting from college to TVG, the benefits of being married to a trainer, the I Am Horse Racing movement, Del Mar 2020, Pacific Classic memories and a preview of the last 3 stakes on Saturday's card, including the 30th edition of the Pacific Classic!

Joe catches up with writer Joe Clancy on his beginnings, his family history in steeplechase, jam-packed steeplechase meets in the Mid-Atlantic, receiving an Eclipse Award, his discussions with Art Sherman, helping launch the careers of racing's biggest names, a BTS look at the Saratoga Special and a preview of Thursday's NY Turf Writer's Cup!

Joe & Abbey discuss her family's long history in thoroughbred racing, the challenges of racing in Kentucky during the pandemic, working with trainer Ian Wilkes, rescuing Simon, "knowing" somebody in the age of social media, growing the sport for the next generation, Nexus Racing Club, MyRaceHorse, and a preview of Saturday's Alabama Stakes!

Joe & Ken discuss his beginnings in Lexington, his longtime friendship with Dale Romans, purchasing Curlin for $57k, his Dead Heat victory in the Travers, Tejano Run, Take Charge Lady, Horse Races Now, growing the sport for the next generation and how Swiss Skydiver is training leading up to Saturday's Alabama Stakes!

Joe catches up with ABR's Dan Tordjman to discuss his beginnings in thoroughbred racing, keeping a positive mindset in the age of social media, ABR Livestreams, his trip to Happy Valley in Hong Kong, better wagering options overseas, Thoroughbred Aftercare efforts, the future of Equestricon, his reccomendations to help me embrace my "New York vibe" through my wardrobe & the 3 Grade One's on Runhappy Travers Day!

Joe catches up with Sackatoga Stable's Jack Knowlton about the stable's start in 1995, the gutsy gelding Funny Cide, the New York Breeding Program, Saratoga 2020, CDI's recently updated jockey policy for the Kentucky Derby, his relationship with trainer Barclay Tagg & Tiz the Law's progression leading into Saturday's Runhappy Travers Stakes!

Joe and Pete discuss the RTIP, running the Eclipse Awards, having to calm down Toby Maguire, delivering $100 worth of chicken to Frank Stronach, his 2 week attempt at becoming a cowboy, his role in promoting the Breeders' Cup, "Horseplayers", Steward S. Inquiry & Saturday's Whitney card from the spa!

Joe catches up with trainer Orlando Noda to discuss his hot start as a trainer, being a shrimp fisherman for eight years, his time with Mark Casse, winning at Saratoga and two of the top horses in his barn; First Line entered in today's 4th race and T Loves a Fight entered in tomorrow's John Morrissey!

Joe & Teresa discuss Brooklyn Backstretch, Aftercare efforts, her career as an high school English Teacher, her battle with Breast Cancer and a fanless Saratoga. We wrap up our discussion previewing the highly anticipated Ballston Spa and AG Vanderbilt coming up on Saturday!

Joe & Jessica discuss the many hats she wore at Suffolk Downs, calling her first race due to a Tornado, her favorite memory of Suffolk Downs, how we can better gravitate young people to horse racing, necessary REFORM, the story behind What a Trippi and much more! We close out our discussion by previewing the CCA Oaks and the TVG.com Haskell Invitational!

Joe & Jason discuss his beginnings at Longacres, "Gary Bear-langer", coping with anxiety and depression, publishing his novel Southbound, the Beemie Awards, his podcast on Twinspires, calling races from coast to coast, calling his 1st Grade 1 and Maximum Security's loss in the Pegasus from Monmouth, adapting to a new circuit, returning to Colonial Downs and much more!

Joe and Kurt discuss in-depth change & reform, his beginnings in Illinois, landing the job at Keeneland, the story behind his 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic call, the Keeneland sales, Classic Car Auctions, announcing NASCAR races for the Motor Racing Network, returning to Keeneland after the long hiatus and much more!

Joe and Laffit discuss growing up with a legendary jockey as a father, his beginnings at News 12 & HRTV, the recent struggles of the LA Dodgers, covering the races for both NBC & Fox Sports,  the preparation for hosting those programs, interviewing Mike Smith and Bob Baffert after Justify's Belmont, Triple Crown 2020, Tom's d'Etat, the idea of a uniform standard for all jurisdictions and much more!

Joe and Nancy discuss her upbringing in Hot Springs, her time at Hollywood Park as Stall Superintendent, giving back to the backstretch workers,  getting young people involved in racing, her favorite guests on Dawn at Oaklawn, meeting her husband Paul, the wide world of Mixed Martial Arts and her thoughts on the G3 Indiana Oaks and Derby!

Joe and Maggie discuss raising two kids during the Coronavirus pandemic, her upbringing in Maryland, Tiz the Law's Triple Crown chances, the progression of NYRA TV, interviewing Luis Saez in a driving rain storm, how she met her husband Tom Morley, talking about his horses in the paddock and her thoughts on Saturday's Runhappy Met Mile!

Joe and Tom discuss his beginnings at the county fair circuit of Wisconsin, his mentor Phil Georgeff, preparation for big races, his Belmont heartbreaks, acting in plays, B.E.S.T., the 2017 Kentucky Derby Cab Story and much more!

Joe and Larry discuss his beginnings in Maryland, calling at the Birmingham Turf Club, staying calm before and during the Kentucky Derby, landing the gig as Race caller for NBC,  the American Pharoah story, the Mywifeknowseverything call, his new gig at Del Mar and Kentucky Downs and much more!

Joe and Veronica discuss her beginnings, the return of racing at Woodbine, Gate to Wire, playing Rugby, learning to gallop, Nexus Racing Club, Hill N' Dale Canada and her goals for the future!

Joe and the Gaudet trio discuss training during quarantine, the late Eddie Gaudet's impact on thoroughbred racing, Concealed Identity's road to the Preakness, stable star John Jones, Gabby's time with TVG, mingling with their spouses on raceday and the future!

Joe and Tom discuss his beginnings under Jack Van Berg, Serengeti Empress, health scares, medication reform, TV career and almost losing a One-Horse Race! Joe and Hayley later discuss her career in Public Relations, the Louisville Thoroughbred Society and settle their heated LSU-Secretariat debate! We wrap up our discussion by discussing Long Weekend's try in the Laz Barrera and No Parole's chances in the Woody Stephens!