The surest sign of spring, in non-pandemic years, of course, is the convergence of opening day at Keeneland and the start of the Major League Baseball season.
I should be in the paddock before the late pick 5 kicks off in Lexington so I’m juiced for the stakes-laden weekend ahead. There’s no shortage of wagering options this weekend - with 16 graded stakes on Saturday alone - and as always, we’ve covered a ton of ground across the ITM network this week.
We're also going to do something a little different, embedding a little bonus baseball content -- extra innings if you will. Earlier this week I recorded an Opening Day special and I've since appended this same bit of audio to it. If you want to go back and listen via your favorite podcast app, this will appear after the credits/outro song (you’ll have to redownload). But you can also listen here. Here's the story.
The internet can be so gross. But it can also be magical. I think it's important to celebrate those latter instances. The other day I was searching for the audio of Van Lingle Mungo -- a song my Dad would play every baseball Opening Day -- and I came upon this fantastic reimagining of the tune with players of much more recent vintage being namechecked. I dropped a note in the Youtube comments and later that day I was chatting with the artist, Daniel Butterfield. I couldn't resist having him on the show.
MYWAYP,
PTF
It’s another big weekend for ITM Plus. We released an exclusive podcast covering the Late Pick 5 at Keeneland today. Tomorrow, we’ll have Nick Tammaro and Sean Boarman covering the Cross Country Pick 5. Oh, and if you join today, you’re good through the Kentucky Derby - no crazy price hike here. Check out what we have planned for Derby.
We are continuing to add new tracks to our daily coverage so the ITM blog is a great page to save to ensure you’re not missing any of the analysis by the team.
Friday’s Coverage - Keeneland - Aqueduct - Oaklawn - More to Come!
Keeneland Meet Preview by Matt Vagvolgyi
Let Loose with Twinspires returns this week but we want to hear from you!
Players’ Podcast - April 2nd, 2021
PTF and JK look at Keeneland’s Saturday $1 Pick Six and Graded Stakes action from NYRA and SA - wrapping up with the Golden Hour Pick 4.
PTF and Klaus Ebner give a preview of the Group 1 from Hansin on Sunday morning, which features the return to the races of Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail!
Stronach 5 Podcast - April 2nd, 2021
PTF was joined by Matt Vagvolgyi to discuss today’s Stronach Pick 5. The sequence starts with Race 8 from Gulfstream Park (PT 4:50 EDT). As always, FREE PPs are available for the Stronach 5 (Promo Code = MONEY). *Show notes have been sent to ITM Plus subscribers. And tickets will be updated following scratches!
You can still take advantage of our offer from 1st Bet:
At the risk of burying the lede, we made a huge announcement yesterday with our partners from the Breeders’ Cup. Next week kicks off the Horseplayer Happy Hour TOUR where two BCBC seats are up for grabs. Listen to the guys as they describe the concept:
JK + 1 - Gatewood Bell
JK chats with Gatewood Bell, Keeneland Vice President of Racing, about Undrafted, Wes Welker, working for Kiaran, sleeping in his car in New York, Royal Ascot, Mastery, No Nay Never, and more!
Off Track with Maggie Wolfendale-Morley - Trey Bear
As a reminder, if you’d like to support the show and the cause, consider a donation to TRF.
Remember watching the 2019 Preakness when Bodexpress dropped John Velazquez at the start and ran lose wreaking havoc on the track? And then the valiant catch by the female outrider? That was the mighty talented horsewoman Kaymarie Kreidel, who uses all OTTB’s as her outriding mounts, but the horse who stole her heart was the high-flying Trey Bear.
The Matt Bernier Show - Episode 59
Matt recaps the Kentucky Derby Prep races.
Talk Racing To Me - Emmet Kennedy
The 2021 renewal and 25th anniversary of Dubai World Cup night has come and gone, with Emmet and Naomi reflecting on the eve’s performances.
Redboard Rewind - Episode 86 - Ashley Mailloux
Spencer and Ashley look back at the action from Florida Derby Day at Gulfstream Park.
The Owner’s Box - Jeff Callan
Billy and Michelle, well mostly Michelle, catch up with Jeff Callan from Shamrock Highland Thoroughbreds.
Upcoming Contests:
Santa Anita Tournament via Xpressbet
Santa Anita Derby Tournament
Aqueduct Saturday Contest via NYRA Bets
Keeneland Grade 1 Gamble
Hawthorne Spring Tournament - March 27-28th
Lone Star Park Tournaments
Monmouth Handicapping Contests
NHC and BCBC Qualifiers at Horseplayers
Horseplayer Happy Hour Tour kicks off next week!
Be sure to subscribe to the ITM Network Podcasts and ‘may you win all your photos’
Players' Newsletter - April 2nd, 2021