On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we talk about the early season KY Derby preps from FG, OP, Aqu, GP and SA and how much of a factor any of the horses exiting these races might be. We also discuss jockeys celebrating or touching hands after the races in lieu of the incident at Laurel a few days back and both have pretty strong feelings about that. Takeout at Slots tracks with huge purses is a pet peeve and we offer some free advice to those who should be lowering their take. Touch on the Baffert situation which feels like it’s going to be a weekly occurrence for the near future 🙄. Also talk about my appearance on Steve Byk’s show on Tuesday (www.Steve Byk.com) and announce that we will both be at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday the 15th if you want to throw stuff at us! Short show tonight to kick off the New Year!

On tonight’s Big Monday Barry and I feel obligated to talk about the worlds newest wonder horse Flightline and his huge blowout win in Sundays Malibu. We also discuss some items that bother both of us including distinct lack of effort on reducing takeout to optimum levels, inaccurate information being disseminated knowingly and nothing being done about it, backside integrity and how it could be done so more effectively and without needing an elaborate and wildly expensive federal law and the strange phenomenon of athletes in every sport testing positive for Covid except racing. Also some late in the show Lakers shade is thrown! Last show of the year! Happy new year to all our listeners 🗓🎊🎉🎊🎉

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we lament the current state of the industry, talk about how Gulfstream’s turf is the latest place that races seemingly can’t be timed properly, why accurate times and fractions matter (a lot!); sing the praises of Gabe Prewitt and the job he has done at Pompano (and the sadness surrounding the fact that it doesn’t matter as the parent company is still going to close up shop); discuss the fallout from the Navarro case including the likelihood of suits being filed in civil courts against the owners of his horses and finally we are looking for nominations for the first annual Going in Circles award! Further info forthcoming on social media outlets on how you can participate. Verizon sucks and we apologize in advance for any audio issues. 🏇🏽

Tonight we talk about the latest tone deaf move by a major industry player and what it is that doesn’t seem to resonate within racing circles. We also touch on why people with 30-40-50+ racing violations are still being licensed by states when qualifying for a professional license should have a far higher standard. Another quick topic is the No Empty Stockings 🎅🏽 program now in its 4th year of supplying the children of Palm Meadows with Christmas gifts 🎁 so that they have a nice holiday. (Thanks again for all that donated! It’s very much appreciated!). We also touch on Sid Fernando’s epic writing binge, why live racing matters and the Special Going in Circles year end awards next week (not going to be boring) and other assorted stuff!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the tragic death of Medina Spirit, how California racing could be in its final stages, why racing is a disaster area, how Bob Baffert made himself toxic, why much is now out of the hands of racing and the difficulty we are having in defending the sport/business/industry that we love. It’s not pretty but it’s 100% how we feel which is more than you will get from most. 😐

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I talk about Maxfield going out a winner in the Clark last weekend as well as recap the other stakes action at Churchill, Del Mar and Aqueduct. We also look forward to this seasons three year olds turning four and how 2022 should be a strong year for the older horse stakes with a really solid crew returning. We also discuss the inane HISA regulation about claiming race purses being restricted and how that is a massive overreach and shouldn’t be included (It has disappeared from the website so perhaps they have seen the light in this regard). Also talk about the Arkansas Derby moving back two weeks from its traditional spot three weeks prior to the Derby to five weeks before.

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the first round Kentucky Derby Futures which were announced Monday with one very controversial trainers horses not included among the 22 individual listed. That theme continues as we discuss how the Baffert Derby situation will loom over the business the next six months for better or worse. Tracks and other racing organizations hiring wagering experts is something that we also advocate for after reading a good piece by Dean Towers on that subject.

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the baffling inability of tracks when it comes to accurate timing of the races as we found out that the fractions for the Breeders Cup Distaff and Classic were not correct. That led into a discussion about how issues often don’t get solved in racing because no one is willing to take on a problem if they perceive that it’s someone else’s fault or responsibility. Ponder an article written recently that bizarrely compares Spend a Buck’s decision to skip the Preakness to run for a huge bonus with the current Baffert Derby dilemma. We also talk about Jason Beem’s podcast this week where he interviews the controversial ITP who shares his valuable wagering wisdom (check it out on any of the major platforms) and we talk about evolving as a player and learning from your mistakes. Of course regulation is a hot topic in racing and we do bring up some of the areas HISA might need to consider and some things that do need to be addressed in addition to their announcement last week as we wait to see what the financial implications will be. We also extended the ‘Name the GP Tapeta finishline cone’ contest for another week, get your entries in at [email protected].

Introducing Going in Circles Media where we provide horseracing content in the audio/video and written form. We cover all aspects of the sport and business from the backside to the betting windows! Subscribe for free to our podcast on any of the major podcast platforms and also check out the Going in Circles Digest our newsletter than also offers a free subscription service that sends directly to your email box. Check us out!

On this weeks Big Monday show Barry and I recap the entire Breeder Cup weekend, all fourteen races capped by Knicks Go’s Classic score. We also talk about what things look like going forward and how next year might be a banner year for older handicap horses. Oh yeah we also touch on how the entire CHRB let the industry down by not only being inept but tone deaf and petty in their handling of just about everything this past weekend bleeding into Mondays inane press release admitting they kinda made stuff up. Only in racing 🤦🏼‍♂️ CONTEST ALERT 🚨🚨🚨🚨 We are having a contest where we are looking for a name for the orange traffic cone that currently serves at the Tapeta course finishline at Gulfstream Park! Send your entry to [email protected] and the winner will be revealed on next weeks show! The prize is your choice of a giveaway tote bag from the past from Saratoga, Saratoga Harness or the Belmont Fall Championship meet! 🏇🏽