Mike Pribozie hosts this week's Players Podcast with JRA coverage of the G1 Arima Kinen with JRA expert Alex Henry. Jackson Muniz dops by to discuss the Twinspires.com Gun Runner Contest this Saturday at Fair Grounds and to give some spot plays.

This week on the Harness Players' Podcast, join host Ray Cotolo and co-host Kevin Plowcha on a wide-travelling conversation about the Late Pick 4 sequence at Fraser Downs for Friday night (Dec. 20), which covers Race 6 through Race 9.

Charlotte Greenway in for Nick and joined by Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post. They looked ahead to the racing this weekend and over the Christmas period in the company of Emmet Mullins, who predicts Corbetts Cross will be slicker in the King George than we've seen so far and AJ O'Neill who nominates the likely Grade 1 targets for some of their most exciting novice hurdlers. Lee picks out the key points from the Levy's annual review and discusses the dramatic opener at Catterick yesterday. Then Thady Gosden comments of some of their recent first time out two year old winners that may even have Classic aspirations before finally we head to JA McGrath for our Hong Kong bulletin.

Nick is joined by RTE and Racing TV broadcaster Jane Mangan to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They are joined to day by disqualified trainer Ronan McNally, who is challenging the decision of the Irish regulator in the High Court. Also on today's show, trainer Barry Connell outlines plans for his stable stars and explains why he feels Marine Nationale is ready to bloom again. Plus, Adam Mills from TPD with a fascinating take on how jockeys adapted to the new jumps track at Windsor, Ben Atkins with an early pointing update, Timeform's Dan Barber on Venetia Williams, and top Danish breeder and racing administrator Iben Hjorth Buskop is our Weatherbys Bloodstock Guest.

Nick is joined by Mirror journalist David Yates to look at the latest news and events from around the racing world. In today's episode, they are joined by Gordon Elliott, with news of his latest star bumper horse, plus The Wallpark's Ascot bid and the stars on show over Christmas. Joseph O'Brien has a positive bulletin on Banbridge for the King George, though reveals he could be on the lookout for a jockey, while Fergal O'Brien looks ahead to Dysart Enos in this Saturday's Ladbrokes Hurdle at Ascot. Trainer Matt Sheppard drops in to talk about his recently published memoir, Confessions of a Slow Two Miler.

PTF and Eric DeCoster unveil their way too early Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown Top 10 lists, diving deep into the exciting and unpredictable world of 2-year-old thoroughbreds. They analyze each contender's potential, discussing factors such as pedigree, recent performances, and the impact of race dynamics on their rankings. The conversation highlights the significance of historical context in shaping their opinions, with both hosts drawing parallels to past Derby trends. Notable horses like Sovereignty, Chancellor McPatrick, and Patch Adams take center stage, as PTF and Eric share their insights on each one's path to the Derby. Listeners can expect a thorough exploration of emerging talents and valuable betting angles as the road to the first Saturday in May heats up.

The dynamic duo of Peter Thomas Fornatale and Eric DeCoster take listeners through a thought-provoking analysis of their way-too-early Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown rankings for 2025. The episode unfolds with a discussion on the excitement surrounding the Derby trail, emphasizing the significance of establishing a strong foundation as the racing season kicks into gear. Peter and Eric share their personal criteria for evaluating young horses, balancing the importance of speed figures, pedigree, and their performances in recent races. Their contrasting styles shine through, with Peter leaning toward cold hard stats while Eric offers a more historical interpretation of trends in horse racing.

Throughout the episode, the hosts dissect their top contenders, including the likes of Chancer McPatrick and Sovereignty, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. Eric brings historical context to the forefront, drawing parallels between current contenders and past Derby winners, which adds a layer of depth to their analysis. They explore the implications of race dynamics, particularly how the pace of a race can dramatically alter a horse's performance, especially in pivotal events like the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Their discussions highlight the unpredictability of the Derby trail, reminding listeners that the landscape can shift rapidly as the season progresses.

Listeners are treated to an engaging blend of expert analysis, personal anecdotes, and insider knowledge, making this episode a valuable resource for both casual fans and hardcore racing enthusiasts. The conversation not only informs but also entertains, as Peter and Eric navigate the complexities of evaluating young horses on their path to the Kentucky Derby. Their insights into training philosophies, such as those employed by leading trainers, further enrich the dialogue, leaving audiences eager for the upcoming racing season and the unfolding narratives of the equine athletes.

Takeaways:

• PTF and Eric DeCoster discuss their early Kentucky Derby Top 10 contenders, highlighting various horses' strengths.
• The importance of pedigree and training styles in determining a horse's potential for the Derby is emphasized.
• Listeners are encouraged to consider both historical context and current form when evaluating Derby contenders.
• Eric DeCoster shares insights on the dynamics of the Breeders Cup Juvenile race, stressing its impact on horse rankings.
• The podcast features in-depth analysis of individual horses, including their recent performances and future prospects.
• Sovereignty and Patch Adams are highlighted as top contenders based on their impressive performances and potential.

Links referenced in this episode:

• morninglineclub.com
• edgeboost.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Morning Line Club
• Edge Boost
• National Thoroughbred League
• DRF

JK & Joseph Migliore talk being a jocks agent, a bloodstock agent, living in Ireland and Australia, and his side of some of dad’s stories (The Mig).

This Friday, it's a joint production between Nick and Charlotte Greenway and they're joined by Jane Mangan to look ahead to this weekend's racing on both sides of the Irish Sea. Starting in Ireland, Tony Costello explains why Asian Master wasn't sold as a store and his journey from point to points to the fourth placed spot in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, ridden by his son Tom. Then onto Cheltenham over the next couple of days and Caroline Tisdale and Paul Nicholls discuss their runners before getting the thoughts of Sporting Life's Ben Linfoot on the December Gold Cup as part of this week's Timeform, Something for the Weekend.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Matt Chapman to discuss the latest news and goings on from around the racing world. Joining the show today, guests include trainer Harry Fry, whose In Excelsis Deo looks to have a big chance in Cheltenham's December Gold Cup. Harry also has news of Gidleigh Park, plus has some strong feelings about racing at Sandown going ahead last weekend in spite of the weather warnings. Also today, Kim Bailey ponders tomorrow's Plan B with Chianti Classico, while Ascot's marketing supremo Tom Johnson enjoys the racecourses latest offering being awarded 'ad of the day in Campaign magazine and discusses the success of "The Ascot You." Michael Guerin drops in to discuss the banning of Greyhound Racing in New Zealand, while Ben and Molly are along with our Pointing Pointers which includes news of two new sponsorships from the NLD Podcast.

PTF kicks off the show with Darin Zoccali of Twinspires.com as they go over a loaded night of racing at Turfway Park and preview the new $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship.

Next up Matt DeSantis of NYRA Bets drops by with thoughts on Aqueduct's Saturday Pick Six.

Last but not least, Alex Henry visits with an update on the Japanese path to the Triple Crown. . .and thoughts on the big race in Japan on Saturday night.

Peter Thomas and Darren Zoccali from Twinspires.com kick off a vibrant discussion centered around the Turfway Handicapping Championship, bringing excitement and anticipation for a night filled with competitive racing. They highlight the upcoming Fiesta Championship Cup, drawing attention to the festive atmosphere and the engagement of former NFL players at Turf Paradise, generating buzz for the event scheduled for December 30th. The hosts provide essential details like ticket prices and event schedules, setting the stage for an engaging experience for racegoers and enthusiasts alike.

As the episode unfolds, Peter and Darren transition into an in-depth analysis of the Turfway Park races, focusing on the synthetic championships. They meticulously dissect each race on the card, providing detailed insights into the horses’ past performances, track conditions, and the betting implications of these factors. Their analysis includes standout picks such as Nicest Pie, with discussions on the horse’s previous runs and potential for success in the upcoming races. The hosts also share valuable betting strategies, encouraging listeners to look for value and consider less obvious contenders, ensuring they are well-equipped for their wagering decisions.

In the latter half, the episode features Matt DeSantis from NYRA Bets, who dives into the intricacies of Aqueduct’s Saturday Pick Six. He offers expert commentary on key horses, discussing their form and how the current track conditions might affect their performances. The conversation highlights the significance of being aware of race dynamics and strategic betting, providing listeners with actionable insights. Wrapping up the episode, Alex Henry joins to discuss the Japanese racing scene, shedding light on the path to the Triple Crown and offering insights into prominent horses competing in this weekend’s races. This blend of local and international racing highlights makes for a well-rounded episode, engaging listeners with varied perspectives and comprehensive coverage of the racing world.

Takeaways:

• The Turfway Handicapping Championship offers a substantial $2,000 buy-in with exciting prizes.
• Darren Zoccali emphasizes the importance of financial promotions for players at Turfway Park.
• Matt DeSantis shares insights on Aqueduct's Saturday races, focusing on the Pick Six.
• Alex Henry highlights the success of Myriad Love, a Philly winning in Japan.
• The podcast discusses various betting strategies and insights for the upcoming Turfway races.
• Listeners learn about the potential of Japanese horses in the upcoming Triple Crown races.

Links referenced in this episode:

• twinspires.com
• morninglineclub.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• National Thoroughbred League
• Fiesta Championship Cup
• Twinspires.com
• NYRA Bets
• Morning Line Club
• Adelphi Racing
• 10 Strike Racing

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest from around the racing world. First up today, jumps trainer Ben Pauling outlines plans for his star novice chasers Handstands and The Jukebox Man. Also on today's show, Nick and Rishi discuss the nuances of Conor Grant's Gimcrack speech and look ahead to this weekend's action at Cheltenham. Plus, Henrietta Knight tells Nick how much she enjoyed yesterday's comeback jumps winner at Footwell, while Stuart Williams pays tribute to the late Tony Hide. In anticipation of three great clashes between two of the world's best, Laurel River's handler Bhupat Seemar joins the show with an update, and JA McGrath walks the Hong Kong beat.