ITM Players' Newsletter - July 4th, 2025
Burgers, fries and some horseplaying with the guys
If you caught the Horseplayers Tour Newsletter that went out this morning, then you know I am BACK home, but I am ON THE MOVE again! By the time you read this, I will already be gone…
to the Spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (this is how many ‘a’s the computer auto-filled for me, btw).
So since I’m on the run with the Ice Cream Man (no time to explain what this means), here’s the nitty gritty on the goodies we got below:
Loads of Players’ Podcasts! Including an update on the ITM Horseplayers Tour, which enters its fifth week today. A BIG thank you again to everyone who continues to show up for these contests and helping us support great thoroughbred aftercare charities. Best of luck to those fighting for a 2025 BCBC seat!
A new Harness Players’ Podcast from our above-standard Standardbred analysts
A special highlight of our friends at Prairie Meadows (including ITM alum Eric DeCoster) for the 2025 Iowa Festival of Racing this weekend
And more, including exclusive content over at ITM Plus
I also offered my eyes and my thoughts to my pals at Sky Sports Racing for some of the stakes action at Saratoga this weekend, including horse-by-horse analyses of the Belmont Derby Invitational and the Belmont Oaks.
I have to get back on the road now. I pulled over to type all of this out, and the Ice Cream Man is getting antsy in the passenger seat.
Enjoy your holiday weekend!
MYWAYP,
PTF
Subscribe to ITM Plus for exclusive picks, written analysis, and shows from your favorite ITM contributors! Exclusive content this weekend includes:
Notes from this week’s ITM content
Nick Tammaro’s Saratoga Notebook
Podcast for Saratoga Sunday Racing
and more!
Make sure to save and follow the ITM blog for daily picks from your favorite tracks and more racing coverage:
Players’ Podcast - D. Wayne Lukas Discussion with Jay Privman
PTF is back with a special edition of the show where he and Jay Privman discuss the life and times of D. Wayne Lukas. To read Jay’s excellent article about Lukas in the DRF, click here.
Players’ Podcast - Thoropedo Anna Back?
PTF is back with you from the USA where he sits down with Nick Tammaro and Jonathon Kinchen to pay tribute to the legendary life of D. Wayne Lukas.
They also look back at Thorpedo Anna’s successful return in the Fleur de Lis and examine the Grade 1 Stephen Foster with thoughts on Mindframe, Sierra Leone, First Mission, and Mystik Dan.
Players’ Podcast - In the Money Horseplayers’ Tour Update/FRIDAY Saratoga Picks
PTF kicks off the first Tour Update show with a visit with John Gaspar, who won his way into the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge last week via the Tour feeder. John has also been creating some great content about tournaments. His latest show is a sit down with BCBC Champion Marshall Gramm.
In the second half of the show, PTF congratulations all the players so far who have advanced to our Tour Playoffs and welcomes in JK. They look back at Thorpedo Anna’s romp in the Fleur de Lis and assess her chance of becoming a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner.
Then they dive into the four stakes races that close out Saratoga’s card that are also included in this week’s contest.
Players’ Podcast - Saratoga presented by Adelphi, Woodbine, Monmouth
Players’ Podcast jumps into July 4th weekend with Adelphi Racing sponsored Saratoga Content with PTF and Nick Tammaro discussing the Pick 6 for Saturday, July 5. Mikee P grabs Jackson Muniz for the Late Pick 4 at Woodbine Saturday and DD for the Late Pick 4 at Monmouth.
Harness Players’ Podcast - 7/5/25 | 2025 Graduate Finals at The Meadowlands
Ray Cotolo is joined by In The Money’s Mikee P along with horseman and horseplayer Thomas Svensen to look at the pair of Graduate Series finals taking place at The Meadowlands this Saturday (July 5th) with the 2025 Graduate Pace and the 2025 Graduate Trot. Ray, Mikee and Thomas also take a glance at the prep race for the 2025 Meadowlands Pace, a race formed since only 10 horses entered for the stake so no eliminations are needed.
Catch the marquee card of racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis this Saturday (July 6th), Indiana Derby Day! A 13-race extravaganza, headlined by the G3 Indiana Derby, and featuring an NHC qualifier starts at 12 p.m. (EDT).
Join in on the thrilling late-night thoroughbred action at Assiniboia Downs, now with an increased guarantee on the Pick 4! Catch racing from the gem of Manitoba on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May through early October with first-race post time at 7:30 p.m. (CDT).
Mark your calendars for a special NHC qualifying opportunity on Saturday, Aug. 2. Little Red Feather Racing sponsors an NHC qualifying tournament, to be hosted on horsetourneys.com, where all proceeds will be donated to thoroughbred aftercare through its LRF Cares charity, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Join the thrill of horse racing from the winner’s circle with Adelphi Racing Club! Adelphi is a racing partnership focused on competing at the highest levels of the game. Call the Adelphi Racing Club at (203) 900-4189 for further questions about joining in their ownership program or contact them through their website here.
Iowa Festival of Racing at Prairie Meadows with Mikee P and Eric Decoster
This weekend is the Iowa Festival of Racing at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa, and ITM has you covered with a preview of multiple Stakes on Friday, July 4th, and Saturday, July 5th. Stakes include the Iowa Derby, Iowa Oaks, and the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap. Special guests include new Inthemoneypodcast.com Prairie Meadows handicapper Rick Tangeman with some spot plays this weekend and Bill Duncliffe with a look at the Pick 4 from races 4-7 on Friday. Get involved all weekend at Prairie Meadows starting at 5 p.m. EDT.
And the Contest Winner Was….with John Gaspar
Recent BCBC Qualifier John Gaspar sits down with ITM Founding Partner and BCBC Champion Marshall Gramm to discuss his recent contest success on Saturday, 6/28, with a win in the Monmouth contest and a 2nd in the Twinspires Stephen Foster Betting Challenge.
