Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey

March Madness is here and things are heating up for hoops, horses, and rye! In this episode of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey, Hunter Rankin and Brian Treacy talk with legendary college basketball analyst Bill Raftery about college hoops, his career and passion for his work. Recording live from the Sagamore Spirit Distillery, the team also shares updates on grand opening plans and our whiskey themed race horse naming contest!

Renowned college basketball analyst Bill Raftery is the lead game analyst for FS1’s BIG EAST men’s basketball coverage, teaming with his longtime play-by-play partner Gus Johnson. A veteran analyst with playing and coaching experience, his keen analysis and opinion are accompanied by unsurpassed enthusiasm and unique catchphrases like “Onions!” and “With a kiss!” During his 32 years covering basketball as an analyst on television and radio, Raftery  has covered the sport’s premier events, including the NCAA Tournament, Final Four, the BIG EAST Championship, Big Ten Championship, ACC Championship, SEC Championship and New Jersey Nets telecasts. From 1970-81, Raftery was the head basketball coach at Seton Hall, where he revitalized the program and led the Pirates to seven straight winning seasons. He guided the team to four ECAC postseason tournaments and two National Invitation Tournament appearances.

To vote in the Sagamore Racing horse naming contest, visit us @SagamoreRacing on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Learn more about Sagamore Spirit here.

In this episode, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen joins the show to discuss the state of the horse racing industry and continued success of the Kentucky Derby! Hunter Rankin is joined by guest host Tom Geddes, CEO of Plank Industries, who shares perspective on Sagamore’s investment in Maryland.

William “Bill” C. Carstanjen was named Churchill Down Incorporated’s 12th CEO in August 2014 after serving as CDI’s President and Chief Operating Officer (2011 – 2014), CDI’s Chief Operating Officer (2008-2011) and as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer for the Company (2005-2008). Carstanjen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his leadership role at CDI. Throughout his tenure, Carstanjen has led CDI’s diversification strategy into online wagering on thoroughbred racing via TwinSpires.com and into regional casino gaming, as well as helped lead the growth of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby events.

Tom Geddes is CEO of Plank Industries where he manages the growth of Kevin Plank’s real estate, horse racing and whiskey distilling businesses. In this episode he gives an insider’s perspective on Kevin Plank’s investment in the city of Baltimore, and why Sagamore Farm is the cornerstone of Plank Industries’ entrepreneurial spirit and growth. Geddes, a native of England, worked in education, nonprofits and wealth management before founding Plank’s company in 2012.

Gatewood Bell, President of Cromwell Bloodstock joins us for this week's episode of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey to preview the upcoming 2YO Sales in Florida. Bell was recently featured by BloodHorse in an issue profiling the new generation of men and women poised to carry the industry forward. Read more here.

Hosts Hunter Rankin and Brian Treacy also share some exciting updates on the move to the new Sagamore Spirit distillery in Port Covington, including an inside look at distillery tours. Grain deliveries are expected next week, so cooking and distilling will be underway soon!

Also, you can enter the fifth annual Sagamore Racing naming contest here. This year, fans are encouraged to submit names with a whiskey theme.

In this episode of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey, Sean McDonough of ESPN's Monday Night Football joins the show to preview this weekend’s big game! Hosts Hunter Rankin and Brian Treacy also look back at the inaugural running of the The Pegasus World Cup Invitational, celebrate recent Sagamore Racing wins and share updates on the Sagamore Spirit distillery being built in Baltimore, Maryland.

In the 2nd episode of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey, Hunter Rankin and Brian Treacy catch up with David O'Farrell of Ocala Stud to get an update on the Sagamore two-year-olds in training who began their journeys at this world-class facility as yearlings. David also shares his perspective on the year ahead in Thoroughbred racing.

As Hunter explains, "Ocala Stud, in terms of what they do and how they do it, they're the best in the business." Ocala Stud is the oldest, continuously operated Thoroughbred farm in Florida. David O'Farrell is the Operations Manager. His father, J. Michael O’Farrell Jr., took over running the now solely family-owned operation in 1971 when he was but 22.

Other topics this week include the Pegasus World Cup on January 28 where Arrogate and California Chrome will have an exciting rematch, past and potentially future Derby and Oaks winners at Ocala Stud, a game called Three Diamonds, and some Ravens vs. Steelers rivalry.

In this introductory episode of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey, Hunter Rankin of Sagamore Racing and Brian Treacy of Sagamore Spirit take you inside the world of horse racing and rye whiskey in Maryland. 

Hunter Rankin, President of Sagamore Racing and host of Fast Horses, Slow Whiskey provides a unique perspective on Sagamore Racing's relentless work to breed, raise and train Thoroughbreds that win at horse racing's highest level. In this episode he welcomes his regular co-host, President of Sagamore Spirit, Brian Treacy. 

Sagamore Spirt is a new Baltimore-based whiskey company that is proud to make spirits worthy of Maryland’s distilling heritage. Sagamore Spirit Straight Rye Whiskey is an American whiskey with a unique mash bill and proofing process. The distilling team mingles two different mash bills – a high rye and a low rye – and then adds Sagamore Farm spring-fed water to create an 83-proof Straight Rye Whiskey. 100 percent of the whiskey is hand-bottled and labeled by the Sagamore Spirit team. 

Sagamore Racing is a professional horse racing team based at historic Sagamore Farm in Glyndon, Md.  Once owned by Alfred G. Vanderbilt, Jr., Sagamore Farm was developed into a world-renowned racing and breeding operation from 1933 – 1986.  During that time, Sagamore became home and the eventual resting place of Hall of Fame horses Native Dancer, Bed o’Roses and Discovery.  In 2007, Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank, a Maryland native, purchased the 530-acre farm implementing a long-term restoration plan with the mission to breed, raise and race Thoroughbreds at the sport’s highest level, while preserving its storied and rich tradition. 

Together, Hunter and Brian go inside Maryland's rich history connected with Thoroughbred racing and Rye Whiskey!