Going In Circles

On tonight’s Big Monday Show we recap the stakes action at Oaklawn Park including Concert Tour’s authoritative score in the Rebel, talk about the contrived controversy in the aftermath of the Essex, Swiss Skydivers successful return to the races, a look ahead to the upcoming weeks Derby preps including this Saturday’s Louisiana Derby, talk a little March Madness and a whole lot more!

On this weeks Going in Circles we are joined by Evan Friedman of Stable Battles, trainer Jeff Engler on his relocating to south Florida and his stable star Willy Boi and Tammy Gantt and Crystal Fernung to talk about auctioning off the art piece Clockwork Fury at next weeks OBS sale with a significant portion of the proceeds to go to the TRF’s Second Chances program at Lowell Correctional facility.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we recapped the weekends three Triple Crown preps, commenting on the Gotham, Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe. We also talked about the Big Cap, who was betting on Storm the Court 🤯, the KY Derby future book, the lack of attention that March Madness has gotten and a quick preview of the rest of the Derby trail races prior to the May 1st running.

On today’s Going in Circles LIVE we are joined by writer, author and bloodstock agent Sean Clancy to talk about the Gordon Elliot incident and a whole host of other racing topics. Sean, who was also a former steeplechase jockey, discussed that sport, his top horses and jockeys, jump racing’s place in Saratoga culture, a look back at 20 years of his paper the Saratoga Special and our mutual respect and admiration for Allen Jerkens. Hope that you enjoy!

On tonight’s Big Monday show we talk about the horrible image of a Irish Jump trainer and a dead horse that’s become a scandal, discuss the post race skirmish between Irad Ortiz and a Paco Lopez after the 4th race last Friday at Gulfstream, analyze the key races from last weekend including Monomoy Girls easy score in the Bayakoa, Derby prep action with big favorites Essential Quality and Greatest Honour scoring in the Southwest and Fountain of Youth respectively. We also talk about next weeks preps, how the point system for the Derby needs to be tweaked (yes we talked about it again) and stories of spring training games and the great Edison Azalte almost got us throw out of Ft Lauderdale stadium back in the day.

On today’s show we spoke to Phil Antonacci and Jimmy Takter who have launched a stable training thoroughbreds after having been hugely successful in the harness racing business. Takter would best be described as the Bob Baffert of harness and Antonucci’s family has bred a record 5 Hambletonian winners as well as been involved with owning champions like Moni Maker and The Red Mile racetrack. On the second half of the show we were joined by Troy Levy of Circle 8 ranch who also started in harness racing and now is fully immersed in the thoroughbred business operating a farm/training center in central Kentucky. We discuss today’s controversial lawsuit filed by three prominent farms again the Jockey Club over their proposed stallion restrictions.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we recap the international races that were held Saturday, talk about this weeks Derby preps including the twice postponed Southwest and the Fountain of Youth at GP. We also discuss our usual wide range of topics including weak champions, purses versus handle, industry trends, how the horsemen are fighting an uphill battle, Barry laments California’s whip regulations and talks about the new, The Racing Biz’s special shows on diversity in racing

On this special edition of the Going in Circles Podcast we are joined by Chris Rossi who has unofficially been keeping track of racing data especially in regards to handle numbers for years. Better known on Twitter as @o_crunk Chris tells us about trends in handle and what that that data is telling us including a lot that doesn’t jive with some of the popular racing themes. He also talks about how examining the pre-COVID numbers versus the beginning stages of the pandemic to where we are right now has shown a few areas that might not be what we thought they were. He also uses his data to discuss the computer/batch players and why he thinks that their total handle and effect on the pools isn’t nearly as dramatic as we are led to believe. If you are a bettor, trainer or owner there is a lot of stuff discussed that you might be interested in.

Joined by Kim Weir of the TRF to talk about the new Second Chances Juvenile Program and next Tuesday’s livestream event.

On today’s show we first speak with Trainer Ron Moquett about the weather issues plaguing Oaklawn and get a report on his Breeders Cup winner and champion sprinter, Whitmore. @Swifthitter of racing Twitter fame joins us in the second hour to talk about the bettors POV on a bunch of industry topics including proper jockey complaining techniques and what we can do as an industry to make wagering on horses more attractive to the younger generation that’s interested in gambling. We finish up the show with Kim Weir of the TRF talking about their new program in Ocala and the livestream event they are having to introduce that new program next Tuesday morning.