ITM Players' Newsletter - August 2nd, 2024
Whitney, Hambletonian, and much, much (much) more!
Two FREE Contest Jockey contests this weekend! Saturday is the LRF Cares Feeder Contest. The winner receives $600 Buy-In to next Sunday’s Charity Challenge Benefitting LRF Cares @ Del Mar. Then, make sure to play in Sunday’s qualifier into next Saturday’s NYRA Bets game. All you have to do is go to contestjockey.com and sign up today. Contest Jockey is a fun, new way to play that combined No Limit Hold’Em and horse racing contests.
What a weekend of horse racing ahead of us!
It’s hard to say there’s a place to be tomorrow, but if you were to pick one it would be the Spa. We have our typical Players’ Pod to get you ready as JK and I looked at seven of the races on that card, but you can also catch some YouTube content surrounding the card with individual race previews on the major races. As usual, I’ve written up a few attheraces.com previews of the Grade 1’s at Saratoga. I’ll also have some special ITM Plus written coverage coming later today:
Other Players’ Pod coverage takes a look at racing from Ellis Park where they have a few VERY competitive cards as the KY circuit prepares for Kentucky Downs next month. Also listen along for Monmouth, Colonial, Woodbine, and Del Mar conversations.
If all of that isn’t enough, tomorrow is the biggest day on the harness racing calendar! The Hambletonian from the Meadowlands will take place and our Harness Players’ Pod friends have you covered with an extensive preview of the big race, the Hambletonian Oaks, and more.
MYWAYP,
PTF
The summer rolls along with Nick Tammaro’s Saratoga Notebook and Frank Scatoni’s “Frankly Speaking” Del Mar Diary! Subscribe to ITM Plus for exclusive picks, written analysis, and shows from your favorite ITM contributors.
Make sure to save and follow the ITM blog for daily picks from your favorite tracks and more racing coverage!
Players’ Podcast - Saturday at Meadowlands, Saratoga, and Woodbine
PTF hosts the first of two late week pods.
We kick on with Ray Cotolo and Mikey P looking at the Hambletonian card. For much more, make sure to check out the replay of the Hambo livestream on our YouTube channel or on the podcast black feed.
Next up, JK joins PTF as they give some ideas on the last seven races at Saratoga on Saturday including the five stakes on the card including the Grade 1 Whitney.
Last but not least, Drew Coatney joins as he and PTF chat about the final four races from Woodbine on Saturday.
Players’ Podcast - Del Mar, Colonial, and Monmouth
Mike Pribozie sits in for PTF and kicks on with Frank Scatoni chatting about races from Del Mar on Saturday.
Next up, Michael Domabyl of In the Money Media drops by to go over racing from Colonial Downs.
Last but not least, In the Money behind-the-scenes MVP Eric DeCoster gives his thoughts, tips, and analysis on Monmouth Park’s card.
Players’ Podcast - Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend at Ellis Park
This is a special presentation hosted by Mike Pribozie with guest Eric Solomon where they go over racing from Ellis Park this weekend that will provide key pointers to the upcoming Kentucky Downs meet.
Brought to you by the KTDF. We’re proud to be partnered with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. Purses in Kentucky are powered by the KTDF and have led to an incredible enhancement to the Kentucky racing scene. KTDF Dollars in purses are only for KY Bred horses so breeding in KY is the best way to maximize profits and return on racing and breeding investments. Because of the benefits from the KTDF, Churchill Downs racing and KY racing circuit as a whole continues to be on an incredible upward trajectory. For more information, please check out www.inthemoneypodcast.com/ktdf
Players’ Podcast - Saratoga Friday Coverage
JK and Nick Tammaro give their thoughts on the last six races at Saratoga on Friday.
Players’ Podcast - Weekend Recap and More!
It’s a loaded show where we kick on with PTF and JK having a look back at a thrilling weekend of racing that included a throw-down between Fierceness and Sierra Leone in the Jim Dandy and Pete getting his first winner as an owner at Saratoga.
Next up, Matt Cutair of Adelphi Racing drops by to give Gem Mint Ten his well-deserved Adelphi Performance of the Week and to talk about the Adelphi Racing Club experience. You can learn more here.
Gary Fenton visits to promote the upcoming LRF Cares Charity Contest. He also tells us about his upcoming role at the Jockey Club conference and the flash digital sale of LRF’s most recent Grade 2 winner.
Last but not least, Jessica Paquette is here to tell us about the Jockey Forum on Mental Health, which can be found here.
Harness Players’ Podcasts
Harness Players’ Podcast - 7/31/24 | 2024 Hambletonian Roundtable Discussion
The biggest day on the harness racing calendar has finally arrived.
Join host Edison Hatter as he leads a roundtable discussion focused on handicapping and gambling advice for the stakes card on Hambletonian Day (Saturday, Aug. 3) at The Meadowlands. The highlight discussion will be on the $1,050,000 Hambletonian (carded as Race 12) and the $525,000 Hambletonian Oaks (carded as Race 15).
Also on the panel are Mike Pribozie (In The Money), Ray Cotolo (Oak Grove), Jessica Otten (The Meadowlands), Cheyenne Christman (USTA) and Garnet Barnsdale (DRF Harness).
Harness Players’ Podcast - 8/1/24 | Woodbine Mohawk Park Pick 5
In this edition on a jam-packed week for the Harness Players’ Podcast, join host Ray Cotolo (Oak Grove) and guest analyst Murray Slough (Century Downs) as they discuss the Early Pick 5 sequence, covering Races 1 through 5, at Woodbine Mohawk Park for Saturday night (Aug. 3). The two also share some thoughts ahead of the Hambletonian, the marquee race of the week and of the season that goes postward on Saturday afternoon at The Meadowlands.
Play Monmouth’s NHC/BCBC Qualifier tomorrow, either on-site or through TVG and Xpressbet. 2 BCBC seats, 2 NHC seats, and $20,000 cash in prizes!
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PTF and JK from In the Money Media will kick off the coverage and look to interact with live viewers in the comments as they look back at racing action from last weekend including the Win-and-You're-In Bing Crosby stakes from Del Mar and the three-year-old clash in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga between Fierceness and Sierra Leone. They'll also look ahead to important Win-and-You're-In action, including the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga and the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch at Del Mar.
Join us for an exciting and comprehensive preview of the 2024 Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar. This $400,000 race, set at 1 1/16 miles, features a competitive field of top fillies and mares. Our betting preview will provide essential facts and insights to help you make informed wagers.
Join us for an in-depth preview of the 2024 Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, one of the most prestigious races for older horses at Saratoga Race Course. This $1 million race, set at 1 1/8 miles, features a competitive field of top contenders. Our betting preview will provide essential facts and insights to help you make informed wagers.
Join us for an exciting and comprehensive preview of the 2024 Grade 1 Saratoga Derby at Saratoga Race Course. This $600,000 race, set at 1 3/16 miles on turf, features a diverse field of top 3-year-old contenders from around the globe. Our betting preview will provide essential facts and insights to help you make informed wagers.
Join us for a comprehensive preview of the 2024 Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, a prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies. This $500,000 race, set at seven furlongs, features a competitive field of top contenders. Our betting preview will provide essential facts and insights to help you make informed wagers.
PTF brings in the Harness Players Podcast crew Mike Pribozie and Ray Cotolo to light the candle for this week's Hambo coverage on ITM. Join the Harness Players Podcast tonight for a Special Roundtable covering the 16 race card Saturday August 3, and the Meadowlands Racetrack.
PTF and Race Lens power user Matt Vagvolgyi look at Saturday's biggest race through Race Lens angles and Matt gives his selection. Race Lens has several offers right now, including a quarterly plan for just $99. Go to equibase.com and use the promo code SUMMER99R to take advantage today.
On the new BCBC Diaries, PTF kicks things off looking at last weekend's qualifiers -- a list which includes two former Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge Champions!
His first guest is Jackson Muniz, who gives us an update and shares his experience of watching a BC Win-and-You're-In race in person, with The Chosen Vron emerging victorious in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar, thus punching his ticket for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
This week's second and final guest is accomplished tournament veteran Frank Mustari. Frank, in addition to being the sire of BCBC DIaries regular Justin, had a great showing at the Del Mar Handicapping Challenge last weekend, finishing second and winning a BCBC seat. He also shares a Breeders' Cup memory, looking back to when Caravel won the BC Turf Sprint.
Baby Talk - Saturday Racing at Saratoga and Ellis Park
Brought to you by Keeneland Sales — check out their website at keeeneland.com.
PTF and Dean Roethemeier are back with another edition of Baby Talk. On this episode, they look at races 1, 5, and 6 at Saratoga on Saturday, the Adirondack at Saratoga on Sunday, and a split maiden filly race (races 2 and 6) at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Owner’s Box - Episode 138 – Joe Migliore
Billy and Michelle welcome in Joe Migliore to discuss sales, family, and so much more!
Redboard Rewind - EP:233 Brian Nadeau Saratoga
Spencer and Brian go over three races from this past weekend at Saratoga (races 1-5-10). Some angles we talk about are how important the track bias change from the week day to weekend was and finding dirty running lines can help you find longshots.