Winning Ponies

With less than five weeks to go before the Breeders' Cup Championships, this weekend is busiest of the North American season for the win and you're in races. 11 qualifiers are on the calendar, mostly at Keeneland where we will put the focus of this week's show. Amy Owens logs a lot of miles every morning traveling from barn to barn to find stories of interest and check in on the many stakes horses – before and after the races. As always, a new Keeneland meet brings in new creative ideas to the game and Amy will update us on all of them and the schedule of events for the Fall Meet. One eye-catching concept is the new Keeneland Turf Pick 3, for handicappers of all levels during the Fall Meet from Oct. 8-30. The Keeneland Turf Pick 3 wager will be offered on the final three turf races each race day. The minimum wager is $3 and will follow the same rules as the traditional Pick 3. The new wager has a 15% takeout, the same low takeout as Keeneland's popular Pick 5 wager. As Keeneland Communications Associate, Amy Owens assists Keeneland's Communications Department with a variety of projects related to races and sales. Kentucky native Byron King will be on-site at Keeneland to cover the action for The Blood-Horse and perhaps make a wager or two. He'll be joining John to analyze as many “Win and You're In” races as time allows. The action starts on Friday and features a packed field in the G1 $400,000 Darley Alcibiades for 2-year-old fillies. This race not only delivers a Breeders' Cup berth, but points for next year's Kentucky Oaks. Previous to that race on the card the race will be to the swift in the six furlong G2, $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix. Saturday is a stakes-filled afternoon and will see the juvenile boys match strides in the G1, $500,000 Breeders Futurity with an overflow field. In addition to Breeders' Cup invite, the race carries qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby. Thirteen outstanding fillies and mares will take to the turf on the card in the G1, $400,000 First Lady Stakes that should provide excellent betting opportunities.

This will be a huge weekend for handicappers to start lining up their Breeders' Cup selections. There will be 9 Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” events from Friday through Monday contested at both ends of the map. We will be joined by two of the country's most experienced handicappers Ralph Siraco and Anthony Stabile. Ralph Siraco is a former track announcer who became a turf writer and broadcaster. He currently hosts the racing radio show Race Day Las Vegas, broadcast on KSHP AM 1400 in Las Vegas. Ralph will cover several races from Santa Anita over Friday and Saturday. 2-year-olds will be featured first and the races are full of blue-blooded individuals with top connections. As usual, Bob Baffert's trainees will be front and center in both. At least three youngsters from his barn are set to make their mark in the G1, $300,000 American Pharoah, headed by his $1,500,000 baby Corniche. In the $200,000 G2 Chandelier, the white-haired wonder sends out two runners including Grace Alder, a smashing winner of the G1 Del Mar Debutante. Baffert is going to pass on the G1 Awesome Again with just one of his trainees, but he is sending out the first-place finisher of the Kentucky Derby. Laurel River won an allowance race at Del Mar so impressively in his two-turn debut earlier this month that Baffert initially entertained thoughts of running in the $300,000 Awesome Again on Saturday at Santa Anita, but upon further review Baffert said Tuesday. he would enter both Medina Spirit, the first-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby, and recent Del Mar allowance winner Azul Coast in the Awesome Again, a 1 1/8-mile race expected to include, among others, Tripoli and Tizamagician, the one-two finishers from last month's Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The Awesome Again is a Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Anthony “the Big A” Stabile was born at the racetrack. He is now a popular host on Horse Racing Radio Network and will be giving in us his insights into the important races from Belmont Park. Stakes winners Gunite and Wit are expected to take on flashy debut winners Jack Christopher and My Prankster in Saturday's G1, $500,000 Champagne, a Win and You're In race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5. Gunite, trained by Steve Asmussen, won the G1 Hopeful, defeating Wit by 5 3/4 lengths. Wit, who won the G3 Sanford by eight lengths on July 17, stumbled at the start of the Hopeful but made a sustained bid, finishing three lengths clear of the remainder of the field in second. Wit is trained by Todd Pletcher, who also trains My Prankster, a 10-length debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 21 going 6 1/2 furlongs. Could there be an upset brewing in the Woodward? Code of Honor, a son of Noble Mission, enjoyed a terrific 3-year-old campaign and figures to be among the choices in a deep Woodward field that is expected to include Art Collector, By My Standards, Dr Post, Forza Di Oro and Maxfield.

The popularity of horse racing in Chicago was not to be rivaled in any other metropolitan area. Since the 1800's, the Windy City's enthusiasm for both harness and Thoroughbred racing led to 10 major racetracks being built in the Chicago area. Sadly, it appears that racing in the area will be dealt a major blow with the apparent demise of Arlington Park which has hosted racing since 1927. Our first guest, Kimberly A. Rinker, a 1983 graduate of the Ohio State University, has been involved with Chicago horse racing since 1984 – both as a writer and as a participant. An award-winning journalist, she is a licensed trainer-driver of Standardbreds and represented the U.S. in the International Drivers Championship in Moscow, Russia. She has documented the racing history of the Chicago-area tracks in two published books – “Chicago's Horse Racing Venues” and “Arlington Park Racetrack.” Our guest handicapper will be Bob “Railbird” Roberts, a veteran turf writer, handicapper and author of “ Writings of a Railbird.“ The modern day Damon Runyon character still holds weekly handicapping seminars, creates tip sheets and coordinates handicapping seminars in the greater Cleveland area. Bob will join John to examine the outstanding races that will take place at Parx on Saturday. On a program that features two Grade 1, a Grade 2 and two Grade 3 events, the duo will formulate a Pick-4 ticket on races 9-12. The marquee races of the 13-race day that starts at 12:05 pm, are the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby for the boys and Cotillion featuring fillies. With the defection of Medina Spirit, Hot Rod Charlie takes center stage in the Derby and readies for a rematch with Midnight Bourbon, who he harshly eliminated in the Haskell and disqualified for his actions. The Cotillion is a race where you will need your E-Z Win Forms and plenty of fillies on your ticket – no less than six graded stakes winners will enter the starting gate for the winner's share of $1 million.

Pat Day Hall of Fame Jockey and now the Churchill Downs Chaplain, plans to join us to discuss his current career on the backstretch of Churchill Downs and his days there in the saddle. One of the most accomplished and revered names in Thoroughbred racing. Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day enjoyed a riding career spanning 30 years with more than 8,800 winning races, accumulating an all-time North American earnings record of $298 million. Now he is a Chaplain for Kentucky race tracks including Churchill Downs. With the opening of Churchill Downs for the Fall Meet this week, we are bringing in PR Man extraordinaire Kevin Kerstein. There is a lot happening under the Twin Spires, including the unveiling of statues of the late, great John Asher and the legendary Col. Matt Winn. For more than 40 years, Asher was the voice and face of horse racing and radio broadcasting in Kentucky. He joined the Churchill Downs family in 1997 and served as Vice President of Racing Communications until his untimely passing on Aug. 27, 2018 at age 62. Asher, who always spoke of his hero Col. Matt Winn, once said, “When I get to the great day, I would be awfully happy if someone said, ‘Matt Winn would've loved this guy. Winn, who served as general manager and later president of Churchill Downs from 1914 until his passing at age 88 in 1949, was the driving force in the development of the Downs and a tireless promoter of his beloved Kentucky Derby. Kevin and John will discuss Pick-3 strategies involving Saturday's three Grade 3 races – the $300,000 Pocahontas for juvenile filles and the 2-year-old boys will face off in the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes. The anchor of the Pick-3 may be a “single” as multi-millionaire sensation Shedaresthedevil takes on six other fillies and mares.

Joe Kristufek has become the Where's Waldo of thoroughbred racing on television. ;There he is - under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs. Wait! I see him in the paddock among a group of fun-loving owners. Hold on! That's Joe getting his picture taken in the winner's circle with the partners in Brilliant Racing. Naw, I just saw him interviewing a winning jockey at The Fair Grounds. You never know where Joe will show. Well, we know where Joe will be on Thursday evening - on Winningponies. As a man who has been the oddsmaker at North America's most unique boutique meet, Joe will bring his unique insights to Saturday's most lucrative program at the all-turf Kentucky Downs. Two, yes two $1 million races will be held with the G 2, 1 & 1/2 mile Calumet Turf Cup and the G 3 6 furlong Fanduel Turf Sprint (is there a richer Grade 3 in North America?). Featured on the 'undercard' are the G 3, $750,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf; G 2, $600,000 Franklin-Simpson and the G 3, $600,000 The Mint Ladies Sprint. It ain't over till its over, and yes, the 2021 meet at Saratoga is over. It was a summer that left indelible impressions on the track and among the human competitors. As has become an annual tradition, we bring on Tom Law of the Saratoga Special to open and close the book on a record-setting year. Part of the team with Joe and Sean Clancy, that trio puts out amazingly colorful stories as fresh as that day's doughnuts sprinkled with the photographic talents of Tod Marks.

Ken Kirchner's experience in thoroughbred racing is extensive and he is now serving as Kentucky Downs' Director of Wagering Development. The all-grass FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs runs this Sunday, Labor Day Monday and Sept.8, 9, 11 and 12. First post is 12:20 p.m. Central. Ken will point out the numerous opportunities for you to put your E-Z Win Forms to use; and he is a man who knows what he is talking about. He was the founding member and manager of the NTRA National Handicapping Championship, the country's largest handicapping contest 1999-2007; Founded NHC Qualify.com - the industry's first online handicapping tourney site 2006-2015 and Created Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, the country's biggest live money contest 2009-2015. He has held key positions with the Pennsylvania Racing Commission, Daily Racing Form and Breeders' Cup. One of the highlights for handicappers and for fans at Kentucky Downs is that you get this amalgamation of horses from different racing circuits around the country that you normally only get at a meet like the Breeders' Cup, said Ken. When you have more than $2 million a day in purses, not only are your stakes races this mix of New York, Kentucky, Florida, California and other horses, you have that in the maiden and allowance races across the board. It's just a fascinating exercise for the handicapper to say, Gosh, I can find great value every single race of this meet. Keeneland's longtime director of broadcast services G. D. Hieronymus has stepped away from his duties after winning numerous awards for his outstanding presentation of the iconic track's racing and sales. While away from the track, G.D. did not step away from his love of handicapping and recently finished third in the celebrity portion of the National Handicapping Championship. Since he is used to analyzing quality cards, we are asking him to move those talents to the Saratoga program on Saturday of this Labor Day weekend. So he will join John to handicap two Breeders' Cup Win -and-You're- In races - the Gr. 1 $1,000,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Gr. 1 $600,000 Flower Bowl. They will also tackle the highly competitive Gr. 2 Prioress for 3-year-old fillies that has seen the likes of racing standouts Primonetta, Ta Wee, Numbered Account, Tempest Queen, Safely Kept and Xtra Heat add this prestigious race to their resumes.

This Saturday's Saratoga racing program is so talent heavy, we brought in two of our favorite guest handicappers, to help us lift some winners from a card that features six consecutive Grade 1 races. Up first will Brooklyn's own Dan Illman, the DRF.com Handicapping Editor. Ed Meyer, a man who sleeps with a Daily Racing Form under his pillow, will handle the second segment. We are banking on his experience as an odds-maker and contest player to help grow our bankroll. The Midsummer Derby serves as the highlight of the star-studded afternoon. Champion Essential Quality has been tabbed as the pre-race odds-on favorite. His lone defeat in his eight-race career came in a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/4 mile Travers Stakes carries a hefty $1,250,000 purse. The Grade 1 races start in the 7th with the $500,000 Ballerina Handicap for fillies and mares and will feature Bob Baffert trainee Gamine, a brilliant speedster who drew the rail in the 7-furlong test. The following Forego for $600,000 is the seven-panel test for males. 3-year-olds will try the 7-furlong $500,000 Allen Jerkens' Memorial, highlighted by a rematch between Jackie's Warrior and Drain the Clock and the return of undefeated Life Is Good. The $600,000 1 1/8 mile Personal Ensign is highlighted by the presence of Letruska, who has experienced a $1 million season so far and comes to the race sporting three straight impressive wins. At Saratoga, there is no such thing as a sure thing, and the field of eight includes the accomplished multi-millionaire Swiss Skydiver, $1,218,740 earner Dunbar Road and Baffert-trained As Time Goes By, who brings Mike Smith to town for the race. Join John and his guests Dan and Ed for their insights into this spectacular day of racing.

Rich Perloff is a regular figure delivering race information from regions far and wide on TVG. His smooth delivery may be influenced by his experience as an actor/director, lawyer and University Professor. After we explore his entrance into handicapping thoroughbred racing I'll ask him to join us to analyze the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama that has a talent-laden field featuring the rubber match between Malathaat and Maracuja who traded victories in the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Kentucky Oaks. Rich and John will also look at Saratoga's Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid for 3-year-old fillies on the turf and the Grade 3, 250,000 Philip Iselin at Monmouth Park. The Deacon of Del Mar Rich Eng, will be joining us from his base in Las Vegas. One of our most popular guests, Rich covers the Horse Racing industry through many formats. Handicapping for Dummies, a beginner's bible was penned by him. He also is a writer for Las Vegas Review Journal and the Daily Racing Form.

Saturday is being promoted as Arlington Million Day at the Chicago-area track, even though the race itself has a new name and a smaller purse. The day will feature three Grade 1 races: The Mister D. (formerly the Arlington Million, now with a $600,000 purse), the Beverly D. and the Bruce D. (formerly the Secretariat Stakes). Arlington Park, (now known as Arlington International Racecourse), has a storied history, Arlington was born in 1927, the same year that Charles Lindbergh made the first Transatlantic flight. Arlington has attracted millions of visitors over the years and has played host to royalty, famous entertainers, sports stars, and generations of families that shared special times at a special place. John G. Dooley was behind the microphone in 1981, when John Henry dug in in the final stride under the urging of Bill Shoemaker and amazingly out-nodded The Bart in the inaugural edition of the landmark $1 million dollar event. Dooley was in high school then, but he has been in the Arlington announcer's booth for every Million since 2000. John will share his memories of the legendary track and the great races he has had the opportunity to call. The King of the Cappers Byron King will leave his palatial estate in Louisville and turn his focus towards Arlington Heights, Illinois. Byron will join John to analyze the final Grade 1 races to be contested at Arlington International that is in its final season of racing. Name changes aside, they will look at the last Arlington Million (now $600,000). Chad Brown trainee Domestic Spending should be the clear favorite here. His wins this year in the Manhattan (G1) and Turf Classic (G1) followed a 5-month layoff after he won the Hollywood Derby (G1) in November.

Our first guest will be trainer Elizabeth Lizzie Merryman. After two consecutive stakes triumphs at five furlongs, her homebred Caravel carried her winning form into graded-stakes company, following a torrid pace and gunning down frontrunner Robin Sparkles in mid-stretch to conquer the G3, $200,000 Caress for older fillies and mares contesting 5 1/2 furlongs over Saratoga Race Course's Mellon turf. It was the first graded stakes win for Caravel and her owner/breeder/trainer. Caravel is now co-owned by Elizabeth Merryman in partnership with celebrity chef Bobby Flay who recently purchased 75% of the filly. Following the Caress, Caravel will be transferred to the barn of fellow Fair Hill based trainer Graham Motion, with eyes set on the G1, $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on November 6 at Del Mar. Merryman will remain a part owner. We have talked for weeks about her. He's watched her train pretty much every day, Merryman said. He's just been so nice and classy and sweet about her. He was very much laying low today, but we talked a lot about her and we'll continue to talk about her. And we'll be talking with Lizzie about what it was like to raise a foal from birth and train her through a graded stakes victory at Saratoga. We'll also address her mixed feelings about watching her homebred success being led from her stall to the shed row of a new trainer. Terry Hill will be our guest handicapper for Whitney Weekend at Saratoga. Hill has been a writer all his life, first in advertising and later as the the co-author of the Two Guys series of books (Two Guys Read Moby-Dick, Two Guys Read the Obituaries, Two Guys Read the Box Scores, etc.). For the last three years he has been working for the Saratoga Special as a horse racing writer and columnist. Simultaneously he has been forging a career out of being old. His ambition is to live forever. So far, so good. Looking for his first Grade 1 win since the Pegasus World Cup Invitational last winter, Knicks Go drew post 4 on Wednesday and was made the 6-5 morning-line favorite against Maxfield, Silver State, By My Standards and champion filly Swiss Skydiver in Saturday's $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga. The 1 1/8-mile, no-Lasix race is an automatic qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic. Swiss Skydiver (6-1) was drawn into post 3. Originally scheduled to race July 25 against fillies and mares in the Shuvee Stakes, she was forced to wait through a quarantine brought on by a positive equine-herpesvirus test in a nearby barn stall at Saratoga. Forced into an alternative plan, trainer Kenny McPeek decided to give his 2020 Preakness victor a chance to become the seventh filly ever to win the Whitney, and the first in 33 years. She is 1-for-1 at Saratoga, having won last year in the Alabama (G1). The Whitney is the only $1 million race on Saturday at the Spa. Terry and John will also analyze the Saratoga Derby Invitational on the turf and the G1, $500,000 Longines Test

Brad Free will be our first guest. A 30-year veteran of the Daily Racing Form, he is based in Southern California covering Santa Anita, Del Mar, Fairplex, and Hollywood Park. He is the author of Handicapping 101: Finding the Right Horses and Making the Right Bets. Brad provides a daily analysis of the races. Each day during the meet, Brad Free offers his insight and analysis of the entire card. He will be joining John to discuss recent happenings on the west coast and handicap two contentious graded turf tests at Del Mar. The G2, $250,000 Eddie Read will feature a chance for redemption for millionaire United, who was upset as a heavy odds-on favorite last out by Award Winner who will be in the starting gate. Irish punters may want to be backing Going Global from the Emerald Isle. Since her debut in the U.S., she has reeled off four straight turf wins, three of them in graded stakes races Matt Shifman has been a devoted fan of thoroughbred racing and handicapping since childhood, going to the races with his father at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Monmouth Park from their home in Central New Jersey. Since 2011, Matt has been the New York and Monmouth Park Correspondent at HorseRacingNation where he is currently a Senior Writer. He also co-hosts the popular weekly video show HorseCenter, which can be seen on YouTube. You can follow Matt on Twitter @AndyScoggin. Matt is also a voter for the weekly NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll and a partner in the NY Hot List which provides handicapping services to ADWs around the country. Matt Shifman was recently named the winner of the 2021 Bill Handleman Award for outstanding coverage of the Haskell Stakes. It will be most interesting to hear his take on last week's disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie in that Monmouth marquee event. Matt will join John to analyze several races from Saratoga including the prestigious G1 $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks featuring the appearance of the undefeated Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat.

For horseplayers, it's like Christmas in July. This is opening week of Saratoga and Del Mar and at Monmouth Park the $1,000,000 Gr.1 TVG Haskell. In the Haskell, two millionaires Mandaloun and Hot Rod Charlie have a score to settle as they finished 2nd and 3rd in the Kentucky Derby, separated by only1/2 a length. To examine the stakes-filled card at Monmouth we are bringing it a well-recognized figure on TVG Matt Carothers. Matt admits to learning the skill of handicapping at the foot of the master; his own father. Considered a top Pick-Six player. I'm all about trying to hit a home run, stated Carothers, who hails from Minnesota. As a price player, you're going to have many more losing days than winning ones, so you have to make the good days count. The pick 6 has become so watered down that the pick 5 is my favorite play. The takeout is generally lower and you have that chance to win big. The best sequence for me is when I find a price I can single. That gives me the ability to spread a bit in the other races, and if I'm right and get lucky in one or two of the other legs, I can potentially make a lot of money; We'll discuss Matt's style of handicapping for the TVG audience during the pandemic year and a career that has taken him from Minnesota to California and now to the heart of horse country Lexington, Kentucky. In what has become an annual tradition, Tom Law. the Managing Editor of ST Publishing, Inc., the award-winning publishing company that produces The Saratoga Special will be joining us. Tom, a native of Saratoga Springs, is currently the President of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, which he served as president of from 2006 to 2012. To anyone who attends the races at the Spa, there is something special about grabbing a copy of The Saratoga Special. Tom and his partners, Joe and Sean Clancy, had to stop the presses last year due to New York's Covid restrictions. The town and track will be in full swing in 2021 and the team at The Saratoga Special will begin their season-long series of sixteen-hour days.

The hot topic at any racing organization's meetings is “How do we bring new owners into the sport?” For anyone who has experienced the thrill and satisfaction of seeing their horse hit the finish line first in a race at any level – the exhilaration is hard to explain – but it is “your” horse, alone or in a partnership with friends. The highly respected WinStar Farm is opening the door to participation as an owner with some of their well-bred individuals getting ready to race. So how do you get in on such an exclusive ownership opportunity with a top-notch farm? Mary Cage, the WinStar Stablemates Director, will join us to explains the ins and outs of joining the partnership. This weekend is the swan song for Belmont Park before the action moves up the Hudson River to Saratoga. Before the vans hit the toll booths, there will be some great racing there this weekend and we are bringing out “The Beast of Belmont,” known as “The Big A” – Anthony Stabile. Since spending his youth alongside his parents working with horses on the NY circuit, he has developed into a top handicapper and on-air racing analyst making regular appearances on HRRN (Horse Racing Radio Network). “The Big A” will join John to look at two major Invitational races that has drawn top turf performers with an international flair. In the G1 Belmont Derby at 1 ¼ miles on the turf, trainer Todd Pletcher wanted to move Sainthood to the grass for his last start in the Pennine Ridge (G3), but the race came off the turf and he won easily. Before that, he was 11th in the Kentucky Derby, his only finish outside the exacta in five starts this year. Du Jour is a former Bob Baffert trainee who will make his first start for Bill Mott. He won the American Turf (G1) last out at Churchill Downs. Bolshoi Ballet would make his first North American start after compiling a 6: 3-0-1 record in Europe. The G1 Belmont Oaks at 1 1/4 miles on the grass will feature 3-year-old fillies. The 1-2 finishers in the Wonder Again (G3) meet again here. In that 1 1/8-mile race, Con Lima bested Plum Ali by half a length to pick up her fourth win of the year in six starts. This is only the third start of the year for Plum Ali, who finished third in the Appalachian (G2) in April. Not all of the big races will take place going long on the green. The Grade 3 Victory Ride will be contested at 6 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies. Australasia is 6-for-6, with all but one of those wins coming this year. This would be her first graded-stakes start. Red Ghost is 2-for-2 this year after winning the Miss Preakness (G3) by a nose. Tim Hamm trainee Dayoutoftheoffice – second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies – has not won in three tries since the Frizette (G1) in October, but has put in solid efforts in each start and may be dangerous going 6 ½ panels.

Eurico Rosa de Silva is a Brazilian native who is best known for his outstanding career as a jockey in Canada where he won two Queen's Plates and was the leading rider at Woodbine for seven seasons, including five consecutive years until his retirement in 2019. He is now a life coach for several professional athletes. There were many diverse roads and obstacles this talented reinsman took to the eventual successes of his career and they are revealed in his recently published book – “RIDING FOR FREEDOM.” Born on a dairy farm in rural Brazil, Da Silva determined at an early age that he would become a champion jockey. This is the story of Da Silva's battle with his demons. While it describes his ascent to the highest ranks of his athletic profession, it also lays bare his struggle to heal the emotional scars inflicted by an absent and negligent father and his victory over the forces that threatened at time to end his life. Fourth of July weekend will be sparkling with competitive action from sea to shining sea and plenty of reasons to pull down the E-Z Win Forms at Winningponies. The picnic starts on Friday in Altoona, Iowa at Prairie Meadows where they will fire off three rich stakes races – the G3 $225,000 Iowa Oaks; $250,000 Iowa Derby and the continuance of the G3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap, a race that has attracted Knicks Go. Participating in the evening fireworks will be the likes of jockeys Florent Geroux, Jose Ortiz, Joel Rosario, Ricardo Santana, Junior Alvarado and trainers Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen, Bill Mott and Mike Maker to name a few. John Hernandez will join our “Regular Guy” to give us the best bets from central Iowa. John Hernandez has been in and around horse racing for almost 40 years now. The late, great West Coast publicist Nat Wess hired him for his first job in the business for the inaugural Fall-Winter meeting at Hollywood Park in 1981. He was the “press box steward” and for $50 bucks a day, he was rubbing elbows with the likes of Gordon Jones, Ernie Mason, Harry Henson, Joe Hirsch, and many others while watching some great races there. He also worked for Trackmaster in the early days of their business in the 1990s, traveling the Eastern seaboard doing on-track seminars for their hand-held telephone modem device that was sort of like “the next gen Mattel Horse Racing Analyzer.” John has been with Prairie Meadows for over a decade, where he serves as the track handicapper and television commentator.

The “King” of Louisville, Byron King, is here to discuss the season under the Twin Spires in 2021. The Blood-Horse's Associate Editor will join John to handicap the stakes-laden card. Saturday's closing day stakes spectacular has an 11-race program and scheduled to be headlined by Godolphin's GI winner Maxfield in the featured $600,000 Stephen Foster (GII) – one of seven stakes events on the card. Maxfield, trained by Brendan Walsh, enters the Stephen Foster following a convincing 3 ¼-length win in the $400,0000 Alysheba (GII). The talented son of Street Sense is slated to be joined in the gate by fellow graded stakes winners Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart), Silver Dust (Bret Calhoun) and Warrior's Charge (Brad Cox). All three horses completed their major Stephen Foster preps Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Stephen Foster is a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” race for the $6 million Longines Classic (GI) on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Here are the other probable runners for the undercard races to the Stephen Foster we will handicap the $300,000 Fleur de Lis (GII), run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up, Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Distaff Division: Dreamalildreamofu (Brad Cox); Envoutante (Kenny McPeek); Point of Honor (Shug McGaughey); Singita Dreams (Phil Bauer); SpiceIs Nice (Todd Pletcher); and Vault (Brad Cox). · $300,000 Wise Dan (GII), run at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 4-year-olds and up: Field Pass (Mike Maker); In Love (BRZ) (Paulo Lobo); Ride a Comet (Mark Casse); Set Piece (GB) (Brad Cox); and Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker). Possible: Spooky Channel (Jason Barkley). Hugh Drexler, the Racing Secretary at Thistledown will make his first appearance on the show as he lends his insights to Ohio's biggest day of racing, anchored by the $500,000 GIII Ohio Derby. Drexler was born into racing as his father was a jockey and his grandfather and great-grandfather were trainers in Puerto Rico. A graduate of the Racetrack Industry Program in Arizona, he had internships with the Breeders' Cup and Santa Anita. He eventually did the paddock shows at Sunray and Rillito Park. Even old-timers familiar with the Cleveland area track, are saying that this year's edition is the strongest ever. In our era of small fields in stakes races, Drexler and his crew in the racing office drew a highly competitive field of 11. Nine of the eleven 3-year-olds will draw their regular riders or top jocks from major venues. Three graded stakes winner and two graded stakes-place runners are set to travel the 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. Weather sources indicated a 50-50 chance of rain. Breaking from the inside post Promise Keeper was made the tepid favorite, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Luis Saez. The $250,000 Lady Jacqueline at 9 furlongs has drawn together a talent-laden field of nine fillies and mares. Pletcher has Spice Is Nice entered here and at Churchill Downs with John Velazquez slated to ride.

Terry Meyocks, the President and CEO of the Jockeys' Guild for 14 years will bring clarification to a June 7 letter, when the Jockeys' Guild informed its membership that, starting July 1, Monmouth Park jockeys will no longer be covered by Guild insurance policies. The Guild has been providing temporary disability benefits, life insurance and Accident, Death and Disability benefits to those who have chosen to ride in New Jersey. The Guild has been adamant in its belief that racing has become more dangerous at Monmouth Park because jockeys are no longer allowed to encourage their mounts with the use of the whip. In the June 7 letter, sent out to all Guild members, Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks wrote that, “The increase of risk is thereby creating a greater exposure for the Jockeys' Guild and the benefits that we provide to our members who are riding under such regulation.” Meyocks said that the cost of the insurance policies has, so far, not increased due to the whip regulations, but that the Guild's Board of Directors is concerned that the ban will eventually lead to higher rates. Once the policies have been withdrawn, it appears that anyone riding at Monmouth will either have to take out insurance of their own or accept the risks that would come from riding without coverage. When asked if he expected that some riders would chose to leave Monmouth because of the insurance situation, Meyocks replied, “I have no idea. I really don't. All we have done all along is to just inform everybody.” Meyocks said that Monmouth is on a list of tracks that do not make any financial contributions to the Guild's insurance policies. He will elaborate for us how the new whip law is affecting the situation. To say jockey DeShawn Parker has had a roller coaster ride over the past year would be putting it mildly. As his highly successful career in the saddle continues, he has faced the highs and personal lows with all of the class that has been exuded by him throughout his career. In a relatively short span of time he lost his father and long-time agent Billy Johnson. DeShawn Parker, the five foot, 10 inch jockey who in 2010 became the first African American rider since 1895 to lead all American jockeys in races won, can now add another coveted achievement to what has been an incredible career, as he has been selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. The 2021 Woolf Award win comes on the heels of the passing of Parker's mentor and father, Daryl Parker. A longtime respected Ohio racing steward, Parker passed away from cancer in Cincinnati on March 4. “My idol, my best friend and a great father!” Parker tweeted on March 5. “He meant so much to my life and my career. I can only hope to be as great as he was. I'm going to miss my Dad so much, but I know he's in a better place with no pain and living his life to the fullest up there talking up a storm. He will tell us more about his career.

We'll be joining an “Old Friend” of winningponies this week with Michael Blowen, the founder of Old Friends Retirement Farms, where he resides in Georgetown, Kentucky. The pandemic caused by Covid had a negative effect on so many businesses and Old Friends was one of them. Michael, fresh off of his national appearance on CBS Sunday Morning, will tell us about the quarantine's impact on the farm and how he is revitalizing it in 2021. In a little more than a decade Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, has put a new face on the concept of equine aftercare. Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, the organization has grown from a leased paddock and one horse to a 236-acre farm, a herd of over 200 rescued and retired horses, and a satellite facility; Old Friends at Cabin Creek in Greenfield Center, NY. Blowen had long believed that horses past their prime could still be valuable – money-earning, even—if the venue was right. And so Old Friends tested the concept by opening its doors to the public, inviting fans to revisit their turf heroes. Now a “living-history museum of horse racing”, the farm attracts nearly 20,000 visitors annually who come to swoon over such American Grade 1 winners as Breeders' Cup Champions Amazombie, Little Mike and Alphabet Soup, Belmont Stakes winners Sarava and Touch Gold, and three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Game On Dude. The farm is also home to Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Silver Charm repatriated from stud duties overseas. Eric Wing, who pilots the plane at Horse Tourneys will update us on the Tournament scene and the action they will be offering in the days ahead (time to cash in those to cash in those E-Z Win Credits you may have won in our Belmont Contest). An astute fan of the sport, Eric will join John to review the “take-aways” from the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown series. Did Essential Quality stamp himself as the best 3-year-old of this crop – or did Hot Rod Charlie's sensational second-place effort and speedy time serve as his coming out party for the months ahead? They will discuss this and other areas of racing grabbing headlines of late. The racing weekend is spread all over the country and we will feature an analysis of the Grade 3 $150,000 Old Forester Mint Julep at Churchill Downs where all eyes will be on Brad Cox trained Juliet Foxtrot where she will face ten rivals. The Grade 3 $150,000 Salvatore Mile will take place at Monmouth Park where a well-matched field of ten will match strides and at Santa Anita the featured $100,000 Thor's Echo will feature some of the fastest horses in California going six furlongs.

Matt Bernier is a busy man these days. His handicapping analysis is in demand and in between hosting “The Matt Bernier Show” and his Belmont Day appearance at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut he is taking time to share his insights with the winningponies' audience. Odds-maker, writer, racing official and track announcer Ed Meyer will also join the show. He follows the New York racing scene quite avidly and will be giving us his best bets for a sensational afternoon of racing where the stars will be out in the afternoon. Very accomplished competitors will take to “Big Sandy” at all distances and surfaces, bringing their talents for display in 7 Grade 1 races! Next to the Breeders’ Cup, this may be one of the strongest days of racing on the calendar. Top level performers such as Swiss Skydiver, Shedaresthedevil, Knicks Go, Jackie’s Warrior will break from the gates to name just a few of the sensational performers. Highlighting the card will be the third jewel in the Triple Crown – The $1.5 million Belmont Stakes. Champion Essential Quality, the Kentucky Derby favorite will run for redemption after his close 4th place finish, a head behind Hot Rod Charlie, who closed with a flurry at Churchill Downs. Preakness winner Rombauer plans to have plenty to say about the outcome in the field of eight, who will attempt the grueling 1 ½ mile challenge. It is an amazing day of racing and winningponies.com is again offering a Belmont Handicapping Contest. Just go to our website for all of the prizes offered in this free contest. So pull down the proven E-Z Win Forms and listen to the experts that will join John on this weeks show. In the words of Harvey Pack – “May the Horse be with You!”

Ralph Siraco is no stranger to Winningponies and even covered some racing events with “The Regular Guy.” Never short on an honest opinion, John will check his views of such topics as Jockey Whip Restrictions, the Medina Spirit wailings, the Lasix debates and Saturday’s three graded races at Santa Anita. Featured are the Gr. 2 $200,000 Charles Whittingham on the turf; Gr. 2 $200,000 Triple Bend and the Gr. 3 $100,000 Daytona Stakes over the greensward. Jason Beem, who has been a guest on Winningponies over the years will join us in the second segment. Jason and John worked together when he started calling the races at River Downs in 2006. Since that stepping off point in his career, he has called races at numerous Thoroughbred tracks. It was announced last week that Jason has been hired as the announcer at Tampa Bay Downs. He will begin on June 30, the first day of the track's two-day Summer Festival of Racing. The 41-year-old University of Washington graduate currently announces at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon and will begin his third season at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., on July 19. At Tampa Bay Downs, he replaces Richard Grunder, who retired on May 2 after 37 years and more than 37,000 races at the Oldsmar oval. “I love the racing there and am excited to become a part of it,” said Beem, who hosts an hour-long podcast each Monday through Friday – the Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast sponsored by Twinspires – on which he interviews many of the sport's leading figures. Margo Flynn, the Vice President of Marketing and Publicity at Tampa Bay Downs, believes Beem will be embraced by listeners accustomed to Grunder's energetic, fan-friendly style, while attracting new followers through his social-media platforms. In addition to his podcast, Beem is active on Twitter ( @BeemieAwards ) and Instagram ( @jasonbeemracing ) and has a YouTube channel. Beem knows it is a next-to-impossible task replacing Grunder, who is a jockey's agent at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn. In an almost-eerie coincidence, both called races at since-closed Portland Meadows in Oregon at similar stages of their careers, with Beem working there from 2006-2014. “I don't look at it as trying to replace him, because he is a legend,” Beem said. “I just want to be a great member of the Tampa Bay Downs team, get to know the horse-playing community and get a lot of people excited about horse racing.

Richard Eng covers the Horse Racing industry. Handicapping for Dummies is one of the many handicapping books he wrote. He also is a writer for Las Vegas Review Journal and the Daily Racing Form. While Rich reports on the racing scene from coast to coast, his forte over the past decade has been the California competition. So far on the Triple Crown trail it appears that “The West Coast, is the Best Coast,” with winners Medina Spirit and Rombauer in the record books (kind of). We will ask Rich if the current trend is expected to continue in the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes. Only Santa Anita offers two graded stakes races on Saturday and we’ll see who Rich and John favor in those events. The first is the Grade 2, $200,000 Santa Maria, a race that could launch Ce Ce to millionaire status. Michael McCarthy, fresh off of his Preakness win, will send her to post over the Santa Anita main track where she flourishes. In the Grade 3, $100,000 Honeymoon at 1 1/8 miles on the turf, the big question appears to be – who can go the distance? The Irish-bred Going Global did just so when winning the Grade 3 Providencia here in April. Eyes will also be on the lightly raced Madone, who has won 4 of 5 starts on grass at a mile while taking the Grade 3 Senorita at Santa Anita. Tom Law is the Managing Editor of ST Publishing, Inc., the award-winning publishing company that produces The Saratoga Special and Steeplechase Times. He is expected to assist in marketing, sales, and editorial efforts at a satellite office in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in early 2013. Law, a native of Saratoga Springs, is currently the president of the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters, which he served as president of from 2006 to 2012. The former longtime managing editor for Thoroughbred Times, Law was recognized in 2011 with the Eclipse Award in the Multimedia/Internet category for coverage of the 2011 Breeders’ Cup. He is a two-time winner of the Bill Leggett Breeders’ Cup Writing Award and the winner of the Red Smith Kentucky Derby Writing Award. Along with Joe and Sean Clancy, Tom helps operate the popular racing website thisishorseracing.com Tom Law is now President of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. As a respected journalist we thought Tom would be the perfect person to weigh in on all that has happened in the world of racing in the past three weeks, from the Derby, its post-race storm for Bob Baffert through Rombauer’s impressive upset win in the Preakness Stakes. Tom and the Clancy brothers are already gearing up for the summer season at the Spa and he will update us on “The Return (in print) of the popular Saratoga Special!”

These have been tumultuous days for the sport of thoroughbred racing and in the center of the storm is Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his Kentucky Derby winning, bargain basement colt Medina Spirit. The discovery of the therapeutic drug betamethasone in the post-race test of Medina Spirit has cast a dark cloud over the Derby winner and his connections. While a split sample will be tested to verify the drug’s presence, it has now admittedly been discovered that the substance used for inflammation in horses, entered the horse’s bloodstream through a topical ointment applied by a veterinarian for the treatment of a rash. Many questions remain, and while Baffert-trained runners have been barred from racing at Churchill Downs, they will be competing at Pimlico in two high-profile races, including the second jewel of the Triple Crown – the Preakness Stakes. Baffert’s horses can’t read the press releases and have gone about training forwardly for their races. Medina Spirit and stablemate Concert Tour will go to post in the Preakness, while Baffert will send Beautiful Gift to post as the favorite in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan. This week we will speak with two veterans of the racing game from two separate continents. Former on-track British bookmaker James Ross will join us from Great Britain to give us the viewpoint of this week’s events from across the pond. James and John will give their top Preakness picks and stay tuned…you never know what surprises James might have for our listeners from his BUSR RaceBook. Writer/handicapper Tom LaMarra makes the Mid-Atlantic his thoroughbred racing beat. He will once again join us to give his selections in some of the key races over the Friday/Saturday programs. There will be plenty to pick from and reasons to pull down the E-Z Win Forms we offer at winningponies.com There are four graded stakes races on Friday and six on Saturday.

Frank Angst from the Blood-Horse is letting his keyboard cool off after a solid, few weeks covering the Kentucky Derby. He agreed to take his feet off the desk and join us to give his reflections on the “Run for the Roses,” before, during and after the race. We’ll also ask Frank to give us his input on the Preakness Stakes and its ever-growing field. Will Medina Spirit have his chance for a Triple Crown derailed by his own stablemate Concert Tour? A lot of questions remain, with a lot of new shooters expected in the field. Anthony “the Big A” Stabile was born at the racetrack. His parents met at Aqueduct, he worked as a hotwalker, groom and jockey agent at the NYRA tracks throughout high school and college before becoming a writer and handicapper for the NY Post in May 1999. At the Post he 'capped 6 or 7 tracks a day, both Thoroughbred and harness and shattered all public handicapping records by showing an $88 profit at the 1999 Saratoga meet, his first as a public handicapper. He has contributed to both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup editions of The Bloodhorse, and was co-host of “Thoroughbred Central” for the NY City OTB Television Network, He is best known for selecting the NY-bred gelding Funny Cide to win the 2003 Kentucky Derby at 12-1 and had “the gutsy gelding” at 150-1 in a Vegas future book as well as in all 3 Kentucky Derby Future Pools. He was the ghost writer for Funny Cide in a series of columns in the Post and authored “Through the Binocs,” a daily recap of the day’s action at NYRA racetracks. The horses are moving from the Big A to Belmont Park and on Saturday, the best racing in the nation will take place there. Five graded stakes races will be presented highlighted by the grassy Gr. 1, $700,000 Man O’ War. The Belmont Stakes won’t be contested until June 5, and we’ll get a look at some potential starters in the Gr. 3 $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes. The 9-furlong race has attracted the 1-2 finishers in the Gr. 3 Withers as Risk Taking and Overtook will load into the gate. Also on the undercard are a trio of Gr. 3, $150,000 stakes – the 6-Furlong Runhappy; Vagrancy and the Beaugay on the Belmont greensward.

James Ross is a British bookmaker with over 20 years experience working “on-course” at race tracks in the UK, trading lines for sportsbooks like Betfred and Paddy Power, and is now the spokesperson for BUSR based in the UK. James’ favorite race is the Aintree Grand National which runs in Liverpool, his home town - although his favorite racing festivals are Royal Ascot and Chester where the weather is much warmer and the girls can get dressed up! Although James is not an expert in American racing (at all), BUSR are specialists in US Racing and offer a wide variety of futures markets- leading the industry on Triple Crown betting. The website for Winningponies listeners to check out BUSR is http://BUSR.com/ponies, you also have a promo code PONIES with a 20% sign up bonus f James has made a special offer to listeners of this show of a free $20.00 win wager on the Kentucky Derby and he will be going head-to-head with John with a $200 win wager for a charity of their choice. Ed Meyer has been betting winners since he raided his father’s change jar in middle school and cashed on a $20.00 play at Latonia Racetrack. Now a veteran handicapper, odds-maker, racing official and on-air television and radio personality, he will put down his binoculars and join us after his 2021 debut of calling races at Belterra Park. Always the ladies man, we have assigned Ed the task of breaking down the $1,250,000 G1 Longines Kentucky Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on Friday. This race is chock full of lightly raced horses with a whole lot of upside in their careers – which could spell value galore at the betting windows as they travel 9-furlongs – most for the first time. Of course, Ed will give us his analysis of his favorite races on the undercards and the “Run for the Roses!” Jay Privman covers the Southern California circuit plus such national events as the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup. He is the author of Breeders' Cup: Thoroughbred Racing's Championship Day and a contributor to Champions, and is a six-time winner of the Red Smith Award for best Kentucky Derby story, among numerous other writing honors. He joined Daily Racing Form in 1998. The well-respected author and columnist keeps his finger on the pulse of racing, particularly the horses competing on the west coast. Jay has witnessed his fair share of Derbies (how else can you win six Red Smith Awards?) and is ready to roll with his insights in this year’s edition after his seminar with Andy Beyer and Mike Welsch aired on DRF.com 7:00 p.m. Wednesday. As always we look forward to his appearance on Winningponies with analysis of “The greatest two minutes in sports” and any other races he has a strong opinion about.

James Ross is a British bookmaker with over 20-years-experience working “on-course” at race tracks in the UK, trading lines for sportsbooks like Betfred and Paddy Power, and is now the spokesperson for BUSR based in the UK. James’ favorite race is the Aintree Grand National which runs in Liverpool, his home town, although his favorite racing festivals are Royal Ascot and Chester which weather is much warmer and the girls can get dressed up! Although James is not an expert in American racing (at all), BUSR are specialists in US Racing and offer a wide variety of futures markets- leading the industry on Triple Crown betting. BUSR is our new sponsor and hopefully James Ross will come back as guest in future American big racing events. The final traditional, “Derby Dozen” has been posted on The-Blood-Horse. The man who has dedicated months to tracking the Derby contenders and pretenders along the road to Louisville will join us for our second segment – Byron King. The Associate Editor, of that internationally recognized magazine, has enjoyed the sport of thoroughbred racing from all sides. He’s been a bloodstock agent, owner, public handicapper and is an outstanding racing analyst. Byron will give us a classic countdown (drumroll, please) from last to first in the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

Jason Levin is the long-time host of “Inside Racing Radio Show”, that airs every Saturday at 7am Pacific on Keib am 1150 and live on www.racing jason.com. The show also airs on IHeart radio. The podcast up by 8:30 on IHeart as well as his website. He began the radio show in 2004 after success of his book “From the Desert to the Derby.” book (2002) pub by DRF press about the huge quest to win the Kentucky Derby by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed. Under his banner of Gololphin, he will finally go to post with the Derby favorite – his undefeated homebred champion Essential Quality. Prior to the publication of his book, he was the national racing writer for fox sports.com. Jason got into racing through both parents. Hooked by seeing great horses of the 70’s like Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Affirmed. He will tell us how he got into racing and the journey he has been on. Vic Stauffer, one of the most recognized and experienced voices in Thoroughbred racing has been in Oaklawn’s announcer’s booth since their 2017 racing season. Vic Stauffer, who has called more than 40,000 races at nearly a dozen tracks across the country, is just the sixth track announcer in Oaklawn’s storied, 115-year history. Stauffer was the track announcer at Hollywood Park in California for 13 years. Before that he called races at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah, Golden Gate Fields and others. He began his announcing career in 1985 at Garden State Park in New Jersey. In addition to his announcing work, he has earned two Eclipse Awards for radio broadcasts. He was also at one time agent for jockey Joel Rosario. Stauffer, 59, has announced hundreds of Grade 1 races and has called such notable horses as Barbaro, Hal’s Hope, Game On Dude, Lava Man, Shared Belief, Pioneer of the Nile, Lookin at Lucky, Azeri, Blind Luck, The Tin Man and California Chrome. Vic will get to add to that resume of calling racing greats, as two multi-millionaire champions will square off in the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park on Saturday – Swiss Skydiver and Monomoy Girl. We’ll get his insights for that great matchup that follows the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.

The Editor of Horse Racing Nation from 2010-2017, Brian Zipse is now a Senior Writer for HRN, where he continues to contribute his thoughts on racing. He also hosts the popular weekly YouTube program HorseCenter. Brian is a voter for racing's Hall of Fame, as well as a weekly NTRA poll voter. You can also find him regularly on most of the social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Based in Kentucky, Brian will join “The Regular Guy” to discuss his impressions of the Derby Preps thus far, then they will handicap the last minor points race (20-8-4-2) on the Saturday Program. They will also tackle the G1, $500,000 Jenny Wiley on the grass and the G3, $150,000 Ben Ali, a race that has been contested since 1917. Mary Rampellini is a correspondent and handicapper for Daily Racing Form. She began contributing to the publication in 1996. She is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in a racing family. Her father, Ralph Rampellini, was the racing manager for Nelson Bunker Hunt in the 1980s and also broke a crop of 100 to 120 yearlings for him each year at Hunt's training center in North Texas. Ralph Rampellini later served as a racing manager and trainer for John Franks. Mary is currently based in Hot Springs, Ark., and Grand Prairie, Texas, covering Oaklawn Park and Lone Star Park as well as major stakes at other tracks in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. The G1, $1 Million Arkansas Derby is the last major Kentucky Derby points. At least the top two finishers will earn a berth in the starting gate on the First Saturday in May. Mary has been at Oaklawn Park for the entire season and she should be able to bring sharp insight to this marquee race in Hot Springs. Mary and John will also discuss the fine fields drawn to the rich G3, $500,000 Count Fleet and the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile.

This week our cup runneth over with graded stakes galore from coast to coast. A triumvirate of respected handicappers are stepping up to the microphone to give their insights on Saturday’s best offerings in a barrage of 100-40-20-10 Derby and Oaks preps. Writer, race caller, odds-maker, community volunteer and all-round good guy, Ed Meyer, is between racing meets and can join us again. He will be tackling the Gr. 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby and the Gr. 2 $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks. Then he will time travel to Oaklawn Park to the ladies in a highly competitive Gr. 3 $600,000 Fantasy. Eclipse Award winning writer and handicapper Marty McGee from the DRF will select his best bets from three of the top graded races that will be part of six graded races on an excellent betting program. Undefeated champion Essential Quality will compete in the Gr. 2 $800,000 Blue Grass Stakes; a tough group of fillies will go to post in the Gr. 1 $400,000 Ashland and we will round out his picks for the quality laden Gr. 1 $300,000 Madison Stakes. The “smooth as silk” on-air handicapper at the DRF, Dan Illman will take a bite out of the Big Apple feature races. Derby hopefuls will match strides in the historic Gr.2 $750,000 Wood Memorial, while one or two fillies will punch their ticket to the Ky. Oaks in the Gr. 3 $400,000 Gazelle. Since 1895 many greats have broken from the gates in the now Gr. 1 $250,000 Carter Handicap at 7 furlongs. After the race we will know whose name will be etched alongside racing greats Tom Fool; In Reality; King’s Bishop; Forego and Bold Ruler.

The man who brings us “The Derby Dozen” in the Blood-Horse, Byron King will be our first guest. The Louisville native will explain his methodology in creating the list for national distribution and tell us about recent changes in his selections. He will join John to discuss some of the top races on the 10-stakes card, focusing of several of the five graded races. Two “points” races will highlight the program – the Grade 1 $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby and the Grade 2 $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks. The duo will then examine the Grade 2 $200,000 Pan American on the turf. Veteran turf writer, handicapper and author Bob “Railbird” Roberts will be our second guest handicapper. He just returned from a vacation from Florida where he caught the Florida Derby and several days at Gulfstream Park, with a few games of golf mixed in. His analysis of the Florida Derby will lead off his selections and then he will look at two rare “points races” contested over Turfway’s All Weather Track now owned by Churchill Downs. The northern Kentucky track will present the uniquely named Jeff Ruby Steaks, a Grade 3 $250,000 test and the listed $150,000 Bourbonette Oaks.

Joe Kristufek is a self-proclaimed horse racing ambassador, and fan development has always been his passion. In addition to serving as the Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds paddock host and handicapper, the morning line maker for Arlington Park. and the handicapper and racing writer for the Daily Herald newspaper in his native Chicago, Joe has developed and executed several horse racing related, fan education projects. He is a member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association. Joe was the on-air talent for Hawthorne’s between race presentation in the 1990s. He was the owner, producer and host of popular racing magazine Horsin' Around TV. Joe has co-owned horses in partnership and helped develop the current Brilliant Racing Partnership. Joe will join John to try to etch out a Pick-4 ticket that features four Grade 2 races. The quartet will feature the 100-40-20-10 points races featuring the $1 million Louisiana Derby for Derby contenders and the $400,000 TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks. The first wo races in the Pick 4 are the $400,000 New Orleans Classic and the $300,000 grassy Muniz Memorial Classic. Eric Wing is currently Communications Director for HorseTourneys.com, horse racings #1 destination for player friendly qualifying contests and low takeout cash games. A 17year industry veteran, Eric has previously worked at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the New York Racing Association and Daily Racing Form. He is also the longtime emcee at the NTRA National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas. HorseTourneys.com guru Eric Wing will join the show and outline some of the best contests to play this weekend using your E-Z Win Forms from Winningponies. Eric will give his hits and misses throughout the Kentucky Derby Preps. Then he and John will weigh in on the $1million Louisiana Derby and two Grade 3 races. From Santa Anita the San Luis Rey over the turf course and from Oaklawn Park the Hurricane Bertie.

Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps have been center stage, and with one exception this week, the spotlight will go on the older horses. Handicapper and author Rich Eng will join us from Las Vegas to give us his impressions of the major preps thus far. Rich has laser focus on the west coast scene, and we have two solid races to look at – the Gr. 1 $300,000 Beholder Mile that features the 2021 debut of champion Swiss Skydiver and the Gr. 3 San Simeon, an evenly matched group of older horses which includes the debut of Cistron, a 7-year-old horse who won this race last year and finished second in 2019. Oaklawn Park has a slew of stakes races on Saturday’s program including the weekends only Derby points race – the Gr. 2 $1,000,000 Rebel Stakes. Joining us will be Oaklawn’s on-air personality and handicapper Nancy Holthus. She will join John to discuss the Oaklawn meet thus far and the Rebel that features and interesting cast of competitors that include recent Smarty Jones 10-length winner Caddo; the lightly-raced, but undefeated Concert Tour and last season’s Kentucky Jockey Club victor Keepmeinmind. Nancy will also analyze the Gr. 2 $350,000 Azeri and the $500,000 Essex Handicap.

Just as it appears that Covid-19 concerns are waning, it appears that Derby Fever is starting to spread from coast to coast. Brad Free, handicapper and columnist for the Daily Racing Form will cover the action taking place on the west coast. Derby dreamers will head to post in the G2 $200,000 San Felipe. That race is complimented on the card by two G1 contests – the $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap and $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on the turf. On Sunday, Santa Anita will feature the G3 $100,000 Santa Ysabel that will be a Kentucky Oaks qualifier. Well-known handicapping contest winner Jonathan Kinchen will join John for the second handicapping portion of the show. On the east coast, Aqueduct will play host to two “points” races on Saturday. The G3 $300,00 Gotham Stakes has served as a springboard for such outstanding runners as Native Dancer, Dr. Fager, Easy Goer and the immortal Secretariat. Also on the card there is an Oaks prep in the G3 $250,000 Busher Invitational. Tampa Bay Downs has a solid card with five stakes races, four of them graded events. The main attraction is the G2 $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby. Oaklawn Park will offer the G3 $300,000 Honeybee Stakes with 50-20-15-5 points towards a ticket to the Kentucky Oaks.

Oaklawn Park has some great races that were postponed. Mary Rampellini who covers racing in the Southwest will update us on all of the news in that region. Saturday, the G3 $750,00 Southwest will serve as the first stepping stone for last season’s top 2-year-olds, Champion Essential Quality vs. his nemesis Jackie’s Warrior. Also on the card the G3 $600,000 Razorback Handicap. On Sunday we get to see another Champion as Monomoy Girl, after being purchased for $9.5 million by Spendthrift Farm, will make her seasonal debut in the G3 $250,000 Bayakoa. From chilly Hot Springs to balmy Gulfstream Park we go where the colorful “man behind the mike,” Pete Aiello will join us to talk about their outstanding card featuring 9 stakes races! Two 50-20-10-5 Derby and Oaks points races will take place with the boys squaring off in the G2 $300,000 Fountain of Youth while the ladies compete in the G2 $200,000 Davona Dale. Pete and John will also handicap the McDarmida and the Gulfstream Park Mile.

If you haven’t noticed, the lead story on every newscast is how the winter storms have been affecting life and livelihood from coast to coast. It has certainly caused upheaval upon the sport of thoroughbred racing. We will discuss how it impacts the day-to-day scheduling of races, postponements and health of the horses themselves with trainer Jeff Greenhill who has been facing the situation daily from his base in Northern Kentucky. Our guest handicapper is the popular Ed Meyer, who serves as a racing official in Kentucky. The unpredictable storms have affected that side of the racing game also. Ed joins John to analyze several rescheduled stakes races in the U.S. and look at the major players going to post in the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup. They will give their selections in the G2 $200,000 Buena Vista at Santa Anita; the G3 $100,000 Royal Delta from Gulfstream; and the rescheduled G3 2 stakes from Laurel - the General George and the Barbara Fritchie Stakes.

Trainer Tim Hamm has been the leading stakes trainer in Ohio for years, his success is now being recognized on the national stage. He was featured in this month’s Blood-Horse in a story written by Meredith Daugherty where she concisely states his formula for success.“ The former owner and operator of a successful construction company, Hamm has spent a lifetime moving from one phase to the next, building a career in the Thoroughbred industry that has helped him, his partners, and their horses reach the highest peaks of the game. Blood-Horse’s Associate Editor and anointed “King of the ‘Cappers” Byron King will join the show to analyze our selected races. It’s Mardi Gras week in New Orleans, so we will head to the Fair Grounds for the first two races in the “Championship Series” for the Ky Derby and Oaks carrying points on a 50-20-10-5 weight. We will look at the G2 $400,000 Risen Star; G3 $200,000 Rachel Alexandra; G3 $200,000 Mineshaft; and at Golden Gate the $100,000 El Camino Stakes.

Matt Bernier's style and presence on “Horseplayers” led to a position with the DRF. Bernier’s meteoric rise through his appearances on DRF.com has landed him a spot as a regular team member on major television broadcasts such as NBC, NBC Sports and ESPN as a handicapper and analyst. In “The Matt Bernier Show” aired from his home in the western Massachusetts suburb of West Springfield, Matt does a sensational job at breaking down the previous weeks best graded stakes. He will be joining us to talk about the evolution of “The Matt Bernier Show” and share his thoughts on this season’s “Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Patricia P.J. Cooksey is a trailblazer for women in the sport of racing. From riding in the pony races as an 11-year-old at the Canfield County Fair to becoming the first woman to ride in a Classic race, the Youngstown, Ohio native started in the leaky-roof circuit of West Virginia and made her way to the Kentucky Derby and became the first woman to ride in the Preakness.

Damon Thayer is a member of the Kentucky State Senate, representing District 17. He assumed office in 2003. His current term ends on December 31, 2024. Thayer (Republican) won re-election to the Ky State Senate to represent District 17. The future of economic success for the horse industry in Kentucky may well rely on the existence of Historic Horse Racing. Machines that resemble slot machines, but rely on results from horse races from the past. They have a billion-dollar impact on Kentucky’s tax base and purses at the tracks. Thayer will give us insight into the Senate’s efforts to see that they continue to benefit the state and all of the additional entities they support. In our handicapping segment, the “Regular Guys” are reunited as Ed Meyer is able to join the show. There are 4 points races for the Ky Derby and Oaks on Saturday and the dynamic duo will analyze the G3 Forward Gal and Holy Bull at Gulfstream; The Martha Washington at Oaklawn and the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita.

Our 1st guest is Wendy Davis who is currently the President of the Turf Publicists of America. She also serves on a number of national equine boards and committees including the Racing Officials Accreditation Program as an executive board member, the National Animal Interest Alliance and the American Quarter Horse Association’s Youth Committee. Tom Law will join John for a Pegasus World Cup preview. There will be 7 graded stakes races offered at Gulfstream Park on Saturday headed by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. That race has been a game of musical stalls over the past months with potential entrants being withdrawn to start careers as stallions or to opt for other races around the world. 12 will race 1 1/8 miles, which may provide a challenge to some of the favorites parked on the outside for that short run to the first turn. The duo will also handicap the G1, $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and G2 $200,000 Inside Information at 7 furlongs.

Writer Natalie Voss garnered the rare achievement of winning TWO Eclipse Awards for her writing ability. Feature/Commentary – “’An Angel On His Shoulder’: This Thoroughbred’s Fate Was Written In Ink,” May 13, 2020. News/Enterprise – Multi-part Series: “A Decade In, How Are We Doing With Thoroughbred Aftercare?” Dec. 2, 2019; “Emptying The Ocean With A Teaspoon: The Challenges Of Aftercare,” Dec. 3, 2019; and “Aftercare Should Not Be An Afterthought: Solutions For The Future,” Dec. 4, 2019. Voss, from Georgetown, Ky, has now won 3 Eclipse Awards. Eric Wing from HorseTourneys will handicap Fair Grounds' 5 stakes on Saturday, 2 of which with Ky Derby or Oaks points. Trainer Brad Cox, who is winning with 24% of his starters has a song hand in both. In the $200,000 Lecomte he has Mandaloun and in $150,000 Silverbulletday he has 2 regally-bred fillies in Sunpath and Divine Comedy. In the $125,000 Louisiana Cox has Wells Bayou. Eric will update us on some exciting handicapping contests.

With not one graded stakes race to handicap, and plenty of news to report on, Frank Angst will be our first guest of 2021. The Eclipse Award winning writer for the Blood-Horse will join John to look back at thoroughbred racing in 2020 and how racing adapted, survived and in some unique cases grew. We asked Frank to bring his Crystal Ball and give us a look at what we might expect for 2021. Author of the 2014 Media Eclipse Award in the Audio/Multi-Media Internet category for “Waiting, and Waiting, for Crowning Glory: A generation repeatedly denied a Triple Crown winner looks to California Chrome,” an in depth examination of the difficulties of winning Thoroughbred racing’s greatest challenge, which appeared on bloodhorse.com on May 28, 2014. and offered a comprehensive multi-media presentation on the various components of the “near misses” of the Triple Crown.

Well it was a pleasurable two days of World-Class racing we witnessed in the Breeders’ Cup on a picture-perfect day. Wish we could have been there…oh well. Hope you all enjoyed betting and viewing the action, as there was excellent television coverage. We’ll be reviewing the weekend's highlights and then follow some of the super stars to their new homes or trips through the sales ring. John will be joined by his longtime friend Rich Eng, the author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies. You can follow Rich on Twitter @RichEng4ProPick, Facebook and www.racedaylasvegas.com For 20 years, he was Turf Editor and Handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Walter Cronkite of racing on the air is Todd Schrupp. He has been riding the waves for over 20 years now on TVG and has refined his craft as he grew with this once fledgling network. We will talk to him about the life that led to racing and the growth of the talent and racing coverage on TVG. You may have heard Andy Furman as a national sports talk host on FOX Radio. He’s been compared to the promotions man Bill Veek or P.T. Barnum bringing the circus to a track near you. We’ll explore the many unique promotions Andy put on at the various tracks – Chris Collinsworth racing a horse at Latonia; Polish Night at Buffalo Raceway, a coffin giveaway when the National Funeral Directors. John and Andy have been friends since his Latonia years and through his successful radio years. Andy had the most popular sports talk show on the Nation's Station 700-WLW in Cincinnati and brought on a young retired football player as a co-host to teach him the ropes of racing - Chris Collinsworth.

The Walter Cronkite of racing on the air is Todd Schrupp. He has been riding the waves for over 20 years now on TVG and has refined his craft as he grew with this once fledgling network. We will talk to him about the life that led to racing and the growth of the talent and racing coverage on TVG. You may have heard Andy Furman as a national sports talk host on FOX Radio. He’s been compared to the promotions man Bill Veek or P.T. Barnum bringing the circus to a track near you. We’ll explore the many unique promotions Andy put on at the various tracks – Chris Collinsworth racing a horse at Latonia; Polish Night at Buffalo Raceway, a coffin giveaway when the National Funeral Directors. John and Andy have been friends since his Latonia years and through his successful radio years. Andy had the most popular sports talk show on the Nation's Station 700-WLW in Cincinnati and brought on a young retired football player as a co-host to teach him the ropes of racing - Chris Collinsworth.

The Walter Cronkite of racing on the air is Todd Schrupp. He has been riding the waves for over 20 years now on TVG and has refined his craft as he grew with this once fledgling network. We will talk to him about the life that led to racing and the growth of the talent and racing coverage on TVG. You may have heard Andy Furman as a national sports talk host on FOX Radio. He’s been compared to the promotions man Bill Veek or P.T. Barnum bringing the circus to a track near you. We’ll explore the many unique promotions Andy put on at the various tracks – Chris Collinsworth racing a horse at Latonia; Polish Night at Buffalo Raceway, a coffin giveaway when the National Funeral Directors. John and Andy have been friends since his Latonia years and through his successful radio years. Andy had the most popular sports talk show on the Nation's Station 700-WLW in Cincinnati and brought on a young retired football player as a co-host to teach him the ropes of racing - Chris Collinsworth.

The Claiming Crown has ended Saturday at Gulfstream Park – with a record $14.6 million wagered – it was clear how much it had grown over the past 9 years at Gulfstream. Not only was this a day when a horse claimed six weeks ago for $6,250 could win an $80,000 race, but also a day when a BC Mile (G1) runner-up could prep for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1). Eric Hamelback, CEO of HBPA, which partners with TOBA on the Claiming Crown, believes the event is looked upon differently now that it is at Gulfstream. Eric and John will discuss the growth of the Claiming Crown. They will also comment on a recent release from Steve Asmussen about the effects having a “dark day” for the schedule and training of thoroughbreds. Saturday Horse Tourneys will offer many contest options on a great Gulfstream card. Eric “The Wing Man” Wing will join us to check out 5 stakes 4 of which graded - the G2 $200,000 Fort Lauderdale with 3 G3 $100,000 races the Harlan's Holiday, Rampart and Sugar Swirl.

G.D. Hieronymus, who has served as Keeneland’s Eclipse Award-winning Director of Broadcast Services since 2000, has announced his retirement effective Feb. 1, 2021. Hieronymus will continue to work during Keeneland’s Spring and Fall race meets and on special projects for the track and its industry and philanthropic partners. G.D. will join John to talk about his experiences at Keeneland and the many advancements he put in place in the visual art of racing. Hieronymus’ community engagement includes work with the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. The best card on tap this weekend is Saturday’s from Aqueduct. They will offer a quartet of graded stakes – the $250,000 G1 Cigar Mile; the $150,000 G2 Demoiselle; the $150,000 G2 Remsen and the $100,000 G3 Go for Wand. There is no better source to handicap these top races from Aqueduct than a man who literally grew up on their backstretch – “The Big A” himself – Anthony Stabile.

Well it was a pleasurable two days of World-Class racing we witnessed in the Breeders’ Cup on a picture-perfect day. Wish we could have been there…oh well. Hope you all enjoyed betting and viewing the action, as there was excellent television coverage. We’ll be reviewing the weekend's highlights and then follow some of the super stars to their new homes or trips through the sales ring. John will be joined by his longtime friend Rich Eng, the author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies. You can follow Rich on Twitter @RichEng4ProPick, Facebook and www.racedaylasvegas.com For 20 years, he was Turf Editor and Handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Tyler Picklesimer is currently Racing Secretary for the soon-to-open Turfway Park. As if 2020 hasn’t already been a prolonged episode of The Twilight Zone, those familiar with the Northern Kentucky track (formerly Latonia) wouldn’t recognize the old grandstand – because it isn’t there!!! Tyler will discuss his many experiences and positions he has held at the track over decades. He will also talk about the challenges he faces as the razed track with a new racing surface will be open for live racing the week following Thanksgiving. Ernie Perri became a clocker 15 years ago. He moved on to Head Clocker 8 years ago at Woodbine. He also has been the morning Line odds maker for about 10 years. Currently he is the official Racing Analyst for Woodbine Entertainment. The best racing in North America will take place at Woodbine this Saturday. So Ernie will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes races – the $175,000 G2 Kennedy Road; $175,000 G2 Bessarabian and the $125,000 G3 Ontario Derby.

Tyler Picklesimer is currently Racing Secretary for the soon-to-open Turfway Park. As if 2020 hasn’t already been a prolonged episode of The Twilight Zone, those familiar with the Northern Kentucky track (formerly Latonia) wouldn’t recognize the old grandstand – because it isn’t there!!! Tyler will discuss his many experiences and positions he has held at the track over decades. He will also talk about the challenges he faces as the razed track with a new racing surface will be open for live racing the week following Thanksgiving. Ernie Perri became a clocker 15 years ago. He moved on to Head Clocker 8 years ago at Woodbine. He also has been the morning Line odds maker for about 10 years. Currently he is the official Racing Analyst for Woodbine Entertainment. The best racing in North America will take place at Woodbine this Saturday. So Ernie will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes races – the $175,000 G2 Kennedy Road; $175,000 G2 Bessarabian and the $125,000 G3 Ontario Derby.

Tyler Picklesimer is currently Racing Secretary for the soon-to-open Turfway Park. As if 2020 hasn’t already been a prolonged episode of The Twilight Zone, those familiar with the Northern Kentucky track (formerly Latonia) wouldn’t recognize the old grandstand – because it isn’t there!!! Tyler will discuss his many experiences and positions he has held at the track over decades. He will also talk about the challenges he faces as the razed track with a new racing surface will be open for live racing the week following Thanksgiving. Ernie Perri became a clocker 15 years ago. He moved on to Head Clocker 8 years ago at Woodbine. He also has been the morning Line odds maker for about 10 years. Currently he is the official Racing Analyst for Woodbine Entertainment. The best racing in North America will take place at Woodbine this Saturday. So Ernie will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes races – the $175,000 G2 Kennedy Road; $175,000 G2 Bessarabian and the $125,000 G3 Ontario Derby.

Well it was a pleasurable two days of World-Class racing we witnessed in the Breeders’ Cup on a picture-perfect day. Wish we could have been there…oh well. Hope you all enjoyed betting and viewing the action, as there was excellent television coverage. We’ll be reviewing the weekend's highlights and then follow some of the super stars to their new homes or trips through the sales ring. John will be joined by his longtime friend Rich Eng, the author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies. You can follow Rich on Twitter @RichEng4ProPick, Facebook and www.racedaylasvegas.com For 20 years, he was Turf Editor and Handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Well it was a pleasurable two days of World-Class racing we witnessed in the Breeders’ Cup on a picture-perfect day. Wish we could have been there…oh well. Hope you all enjoyed betting and viewing the action, as there was excellent television coverage. We’ll be reviewing the weekend's highlights and then follow some of the super stars to their new homes or trips through the sales ring. John will be joined by his longtime friend Rich Eng, the author of Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies. You can follow Rich on Twitter @RichEng4ProPick, Facebook and www.racedaylasvegas.com For 20 years, he was Turf Editor and Handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.