Gate to Wire

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire Michael Vale, Jonathan Stettin, and Paul Zilm talk about fixed odds wagering and what it means to the sport of horse racing. 
Fixed odds wagering has been around a long time but it is new to thoroughbred horse racing in the US. How will it work and play out? 
Fixed odds will offer new opportunities for the players, and that should be a good thing!
We hope you enjoy this episode! Thanks for tuning in. 

Simply put if you really want to stop cheating in horse racing listen to this and share it around. We've had enough! It is time for action and some plans. 
On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire Jonathan Stettin and Jeff Metz talk about what needs to be done to stop cheating in horse racing. We think you'll like some of their ideas and we hope you will share them! 
Thank you for tuning in and listening!

On this episode of Past the Wire Tv and our podcast Gate to Wire brought to you by Spendthrift Farm you'll meet Troy Levy. We like introducing people the sport needs more of and Troy fits that bill to a tee. Knowledgeable, confident, and with a strong desire to do things right and focus on the future and long term, Troy is making hos footprint in the industry. 

After starting the Tropical Racing partnership Troy expanded into buying a farm in Lexington Kentucky and Circle 8 Ranch became a reality.

Learn about Troy, his goals and philosophies, his views on the game and where he is taking Circle 8 Ranch and all the Tropical investors. 

Troy sat down with our Jonathan Stettin and they talked all things horse racing. Troy and Circle 8 ranch are on the radar, and we think the dot is going to get louder and bigger. After watching this episode we think you'll agree and be rooting for them also. 

Sit back and enjoy the show:

On this episode of Past the Wire TV and Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire , brought to you by Spendthrift Farm we welcome one of the best to sit down with one of the best! 

Tommy Massis, or Hammer as his friends call him is one of the more successful in the game today. Tommy sits down with his friend Pick 6 King Jonathan Stettin another successful horseplayer in his own right for a frank conversation on how Tommy got into the game, the lessons he learned along the way, and how ultimately to beat the game and earn his living doing so. 

Jon and Tommy get into a variety of topics within the sport including computer assisted wagering and sports betting. Of course they also touch on the "now" topic of fixed odds wagering. 

Hammer and the Pick 6 King are friends, and they go back aways, but they don't agree on everything and both their perspectives come from knowledge and experience.

One thing they both feel strongly about is the the owners and bettors are fueling the game, and they are the only two groups not guaranteed a paycheck. Like Jon, Hammer knows what it is like to be in the if I don't win I don't eat situation, and that position gives you a very unique position of the Sport of Kings. 

It is not often you get two players like this together for a candid and open conversation. You won't want to miss it. If you want to get to know Tommy Hammer Massis here is your chance. You can't get an education like this at any university. 

Welcome to another episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire brought to you by Spendthrift Farm. 

Lenny Shulman one of the few true journalists in the Sport of Kings just released a new book, Head to Head talking about some of the more interesting interviews he has done over the years. He joined Jonathan Stettin and Michael Vale on this week's Past the Wire TV and Gate to Wire podcast to talk not only about his book, but all things racing and more. 

This conversation won't only prompt you to want to read the book, which any student, fan, or historian of the game should, it will talk you back and also possibly give you a glimpse into the future of the sport we love, thoroughbred horse racing. 

Lenny has been there, seen that, done that, and written about that. He is one of the most respected writers in the game and shares his thoughts and comments on a variety of topics. This show has something for everyone. 

Welcome to another episode of Past the Wire TV and our Past the Wire podcast, Gate to Wire brought to you by Spendthrift Farm!
On this episode we take you deep into California Horse Racing and the issues the industry faces in the state.
Hosts Jonathan Stettin and Jeff mets are joined by prominent owner and breeder Harris Auerbach, Managing Partner of M. Auerbach LLC. 
Harris is the man behind the popular racehorse and sire Unusual Heat and he has his pulse on California Racing as well as a vested interest in both its survival and future.
We talk through the issues, some likely scenarios, and some potential solutions.
There are certainly some low hanging fruit issues that could be quick fixes and immediate improvements. Let's hope the right people are paying attention.
One thing that was apparent as we take you Past the Wire on these issues is that they are more critical than some may realize, and if they aren't addressed and correctly promptly and properly California Horse Racing may be in worse trouble than they think. 

Make no mistake, the Humane Society of the United States is not PETA, nor do they share the same philosophy or goal for the sport of horse racing. To the contrary, they are a largely unknown by fans and bettors, ally to racing, and actually support safe racing.

The Humane Society of the US worked with the Jockey Club and Congress to get the Horse racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) passed. 

On this episode of Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast brought to you by Spendthrift Farm we had the pleasure of meeting Valerie Pringle, Program Manager for Equine Protection for the Humane Society of the US. Valerie is a horse person herself, and is also a supporter of racing, as long as it is done as safely as possible for both the equine and human athletes. Her views of that are not unrealistic, nor are her expectations. Valerie was involved in pushing HISA into law, and was a welcomed help to the Jockey Club and other industry leaders who want what most of us do, safe, drug free, uniform racing with a level playing field and clearly defined rules by a central governing body. 

In this episode you will see how the Humane Society views our sport, and how they want to both see and help it grow. They are more involved than many realize in trying to make the reforms and changes most of us know are needed actually happen. 

Contrary to what some may think, this organization is a help to our industry, not an enemy of it. Unlike other organizations, they understand the sport, and want the best for it while also wanting the best for the horses. That was refreshing to learn.

Once again we take you Past the Wire on another great episode of Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast, brought to you by Spendthrift Farm. 

How do you get a horse into the Kentucky Derby? You call up and ask Churchill Downs!

Dean Reeves loves thoroughbred horse racing. It is apparent as soon as you meet him and start talking horses. We are pleased to feature Dean talking with Jonathan Stettin on this episode of Past the Wire TV.Dean has had tremendous success in the game. 

He campaigned Mucho Macho Man to run in the Kentucky Derby and win the Breeders' Cup Classic. He also has an Eclipse Award for Channel Maker on his mantle so he knows a thing or two about playing this game at the highest level. 

Dean's passion for the horse and sport is part of why he is willing to deep dive and tackle some of the issues plaguing the game today. He is eager for things to improve and offers ideas and hope on how to make that happen. You won't find many if any more passionate people about the sport we love and the two discuss how the owners and bettors are the ones putting in the money, and at times it seems as if they have the least say.

We are back with another great episode of Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast, brought to you by Spendthrift Farm. 

Yes, once again we take you Past the Wire!

Besides being a true horseman, lover of the sport and animal, great trainer, Graham Motion is also a delightful guy and a total pleasure to talk with.

We were fortunate to have Graham join Jonathan Stettin on this episode of Past the Wire TV for a chat about several topics in horse racing. Graham and Jonathan are both extremely passionate about racing and the current state of the sport and share a deep concern about its future.

Graham and Jon talk about everything from horse individuality to training on a farm as opposed to at the racetrack. Lasix, race day medications, HISA, shipping, and on track pharmacies work their way into the discussion. 

The show ends with Graham talking about Mean Mary who we are scheduled to see in the Grade 2 New York Handicap on Friday. Wanna know if Mean Mary is mean which could be a good thing for a mare or if it is just a name? You'll have to listen to learn that and how Graham points for the races he is after. 

Graham Motion has reached the pinnacle of the sport. With wins in the Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Derby, Dubai World Cup and many other graded stakes Graham was kind enough to share his opinions and some of the vast wealth of knowledge he brings to the table. If you're a student of the game like we are you will soak it up like a sponge. 

Once again thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show:

Once again we have another interesting episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire brought to you by Spendthrift Farm.

To date three lawsuits have been filed against trainer Bob Baffert whose Medina Spirit won the Kentucky Derby, then tested positive for betamethasone. All three lawsuits were filed by bettors who lost their wagers, and one of the suits also names Churchill Downs as a defendant. 

To date, Medina Spirit remains the Kentucky Derby winner pending the results of a split sample test. Both Churchill Downs and NYRA took action against Bob Baffert prior to completion of the split sample test, and as of now the sample has not yet been sent out. Both Churchill Downs and NYRA banned Bob Baffert from entering or running any horses at their racetracks. The CHRB, which governs California racing issued a statement they would not take action until the process played out and a ruling was issued. The rules in Kentucky give a trainer three days to request a split sample, but only state the sample has to be sent out following the request "as expeditiously as possible."

Bill Gotimer opines on the merits of the lawsuits, which all contain RICO allegations. Bill also provides his thoughts on how he would have proceeded, the likely defenses, and what we may see play out. 

Bill and Jonathan Stettin discuss the facts surrounding the cases, some of the things we know, and some of the things we don't know just yet. 

This is both an interesting and important show not just for bettors, but for anyone with a stake in the game. It is always insightful to hear from an attorney not directly involved, and also a bettor like Jonathan Stettin who obviously would follow a case like this. Bill Gotimer has been active in the legal community for a long time and is familiar with racetracks, racing, and has represented people involved in the sport in the past.