Gate to Wire

Fresh off his first graded stakes win with Clear Vision in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf at Gulfstream Park, up and coming young trainer Matthew O' Connor sits down with Jonathan Stettin on Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast. 

Not only did this sharp, young, and dedicated trainer get his first graded stakes win, he did it with a horse he claimed just two starts back for $25,000. Matthew ran Clear Vision off the claim in the Claiming Crown Emerald, and the six year old Artie Schiller gelding ran a good second. Matthew stayed aggressive with the new acquisition, and ran back in the Tropical Turf and got a graded stakes win for himself and his owners, MEB Stables LLC.

Jon and Matt talk about Matt's career, what he saw in Clear Vision, his philosophies on training and the concerns we all share about the current state of our sport as well as its future. Matthew brings a lot of enthusiasm and hope to the table which is something the sport needs. he also brings a pretty solid background and has worked his way up the ladder from hot-walking to ultimately training. Matthew is not only active claiming, he is at the sales and scouting and making purchases. Matthew has worked for Dominick Schettino, Robert Falcone, and Hall of Famer and two time (should have been three) Kentucky Derby winner Nick Zito.

We think you will enjoy meeting Matthew O' Connor and it is probably a good idea to put him on the radar screen. He can have a very bright and positive future in horse racing!

Not voting for Bob Baffert trained horses legit or not?

Is the effort to ban trainer Bob Baffert from the Kentucky Derby legit and in the best interests of racing, or is it another targeted scapegoat scenario? 

Attorney Bill Gotimer joins Jonathan Stettin on Past the Wire TV to explore these possibilities along with the legitimacy or lack thereof in excluding horses like Corniche from an Eclipse Award vote. 

Complicated issues with both legal and moral implications. 

Suffice to say Jon and Bill do not agree on everything, but they, as many can't nowadays remain civil and cordial despite differing views. 

Bill provides more of a legal perspective while Jon is a little more from the shall we say street school of thought. However you feel this is an interesting conversation between two passionate and experienced individuals in the Sport of Kings. 

Thank you for watching Past the Wire TV. 

We appreciate all of you and welcome your comments, agree or disagree.

Talented, insightful, enthusiastic and fresh off an Eclipse Award team win, Naomi Tukker joins Jonathan Stettin on Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast for a one on one chat.

Naomi and Jon discuss a wide array of topics and where racing is and needs to be to keep up with mainstream sports.

Hear about Naomi's work ethic and desire and how it brought her to experience and contribute to horse racing literally all over the world. Naomi explains how she entered and all she gained from the Godolphin Flying Start program and how she first got into horse racing at 18.

We think you will enjoy getting to know Naomi and we're pretty confident you'll be hearing a lot more from her in the Sport of Kings, and Queens of course.

As always, thank you for tuning into Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast and we hope you enjoy the show!

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire our hosts Michael Vale and Jonathan Stettin talk betting the Gulfstream Park Championship meet. They go over some angles they like, and don't like and some things to watch for during the popular winter meet.
Thank you for tuning in to Gate to Wire, and for more and all you want in the Sport of Kings visit Past the Wire.
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On this episode of Past the Wire TV  and our podcast  Gate to Wire Jonathan Stettin sits down and talks with author Sasscer Hill.
Sasscer has a unique and interesting background in the thoroughbred industry and actually won a race as a steeplechase rider. She’s ridden, owned and bred horses including foaling. All this led her to become a novelist writing about the Sport of Kings.

I think most of us would agree racing needs more positive exposure. Sasscer feels the same and remembers the days of true journalism and mainstream coverage of the sport. Meet Sasscer with Jonathan and you just might want to check out one of her books which can be found at her website sasscerhill.com

We think you’ll enjoy meeting this interesting and talented lady!

Thank you for watching Past the Wire TV! and listening to the Past the Wire podcast Gate to Wire!

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire our hosts Michael Vale and Pick 6 King Jonathan Stettin discuss the late pick 4 at Aqueduct Saturday, Cigar Mile Day.

The sequence is all stakes and includes the Remsen where we will see some nice looking three-year olds and closes with the Cigar Mile.

Mike and Jon talk about who they like and why and who they are against and why.
It is a nice sequence and we should see some nice racing at the Big A on Saturday!

Thank you for listening. For more including all the latest in the Sport of Kings and great original features visit Past the Wire.

For the best in horse racing check out Past the Wire TV. We have it all. 

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire our hosts Michael Vale and Pick 6 King Jonathan Stettin talk two Grade 1's to be run this Holiday weekend.

Mike and Jon delve into the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs and the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar.

The Clark did not draw a big field but the Hollywood Derby did. We have dirt, we have turf, now we have to see if we have both winners. 

Thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show and also have a great Thanksgiving and Holiday weekend.

Most seasons horseplayers and gamblers know success at the racetrack depends on more than picking winners.

There are three important elements that require some level of expertise to "beat the game" and wind up one of the few who can show a profit and even the smaller percentage of professional players that can actually make a living playing horses. Yes, it can be done but it takes work and dedication.

The three elements, which are crucial but not the only factors are:

Handicapping

Ticket Structure

Money Management

Two out of three ain't bad might be a song, but it is not good enough to win consistently at the racetrack. At some point you will have to know how to manage that bankroll.

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire Michael Vale talks with professional player Jonathan Stettin about money management. Jon has a long history of success and is one of the best handicappers and sharpest players in the game. Learn how he treats "the bankroll" in a manner all bettors can easily identify with.

As always thank you for tuning in. 

Chad brown stops by for a quick interview prior to the 2021 breeders cup!

Being born into a legendary racing family has both advantages and believe it or not obstacles as well. That birthright comes with lofty expectations to fulfill. It would be hard to argue Joseph O’ Brien was not born into racing royalty, and equally as difficult to argue he has not created a resume both riding and training worthy in and of itself of being one of the best in the saddle as a jockey and also as a trainer.

With International Grade 1 wins riding and training, Joseph has risen to the occasion on the biggest stages. Jonathan Stettin sits down for some one on one with Joseph O’Brien on this episode of Past the Wire TV to talk some of Joseph’s remarkable achievements, which may surprise many of you.

Learn what it was like being mentored and taught by your father when your father is the one and only Aidan O’ Brien. They also talk Joseph’s philosophies on training and spotting his horses across the globe, the advantages of training at your own yard, what he looks for in a stallion and a turf horse and more.

We think you’ll like getting to know this sharp young man who has already accomplished more than one could hope for, and he is really just getting started.

The Breeders’ Cup Turf, The Irish Derby, The Cox Plate, The Melbourne Cup, The Irish 2000 Guineas, the Grand Prix de Paris, The Queen Elizabeth Stakes, The Prince of Wales Stakes, The Dubai Sheema Classic and even the Saratoga Derby and so much more are all on Joseph’s resume either as a rider or a trainer.

One of Joseph’s milestones is that he is one of two people presently to win a Breeders’ Cuprace as both a jockey and a trainer. Freddy Head did it riding Miesque and training Goldikova. Joseph won the Breeders’ Cup Turf on St. Nicholas Abby and as a trainer with Iridessa. Jonathan happened to be sitting near Joseph prior to that feat being accomplished and talked about it with Joseph. You can read that conversation HERE.

Sit back, enjoy the show and get to know Joseph O’ Brien,racing royalty!

Check out the best Breeders’ Cup Seminar in the game right HERE!