Going In Circles

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I discuss why racing needs to start opening up the playbook and thinking out of the box before it’s too late. Also touch on last weekends stakes and a bunch of other stuff! Check it out!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show Barry and I discuss the holiday weekend that included a serious health scare, some two year old actions and football! We also discuss the winter meets kicking off this coming week at Turfway and Gulfstream. Check it out!

On tonight’s Big Monday show we discuss a wide variety of topics ranging from Chief’s Crown prepping for the Breeders Cup Classic in a grass allowance race to why TOBA is wrong for not throwing out the silly formulas and reworking the graded stakes schedule. Plus bizarre racing awards and why Pumpkin Spice might be illegal

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show Barry and I discuss the 60 Minutes segment on racing which turned out to be a pretty bland piece with nothing new at all. Plus what Mike Repole is going to have to do if he really wants to make substantial changes in the industry.

On tonight’s show Barry and I recap all 14 of last weekends Breeders Cup races.

The Going in Circles crew is joined by special guest handicapper Jay Beides as we take a close look at all the Breeders Cup events on Saturdays card at Santa Anita.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show Barry and I talk about the latest developments concerning the Breeders Cup which is less than 2 weeks away. Plus the madness that is horse racing social media and the wasteland that it’s become.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I talk about the mess in CA with the latest wagering debacle and ask who regulates the regulators after it’s found out that the CHRB doesn’t actually record or look at the pre-work vetting reports. Plus we run through some of the BC fields with who we know or think is running and a whole lot more

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we talk about the weekends Breeders Cup Prep action, Mike Repole’s proposed ‘association’ of big owners and trainers that seems big on hype but short on details. Check it out! 🎤

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show we discuss the Breeders Cup preps from last weekend, talk opening of Keeneland Friday, the graded stakes from Aqueduct this Wednesday’s and a couple of stories from the old days! Check it out! 🏇🏽

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I recap the sparse action from last weekend, the Pa Derby and the fact that the winners connections are waffling at racing in the Breeders Cup despite its status as a championship event.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we discuss some of the fallacies that pass for critical analysis in racing. Plus take a glimpse back at the Woodbine Mile and the 2yo stakes at CD from this past weekend and a suggestion on how to prevent hopeless maidens from entering into graded stakes races.

On tonight‘s Big Monday show Barry and I talk the end of the summer racing season with Del Mar and Colonial Downs finishing up and Kentucky Downs with just one last card.

In tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we wrap up the often traumatic Saratoga meet, discuss the new reality of not having fouls occur at the gate, talk Pacific Classic and a whole lot more!

On tonight’s show we talk about dealing with fallout from Saturdays disastrous Travers day and how we already have seen typical industry bandaid ideas tossed into the ring. Plus more tone deafness from a racing exec and why it probably won’t matter in the end anyway.

On the Travers week edition of the big Monday show Barry and I talk about the Big Race Saturday and some of the weeks other races including Race 2 on Thursday which is the Silks Race of the Week. We also talked about the Smarty Jones at Parx on Tuesday and some of the undercard races on a nice Tuesday program. Reviewed the Alabama and Lake Placid and how trips and pace can be the difference and between winning and losing. Plus some explaining of what we do what we do and why we’d hope that people can respect our goals even if they don’t always agree with our takes.

On tonight’s episode of the Big Monday Show we talk about a wide range of topics including horseracing social media madness, how factual coverage of racing is unjustly criticized, rebutting forcefully the absolute false narrative that changing the Triple Crown is a good idea and why looking at it from a racing standpoint only is just plain dumb, not to mention the negative impact that a move makes on a whole host of other races and meets…because a floundering racing company keeps making ill-advised decisions. Asking why Del Mar vs Santa Anita isn’t the question as opposed to DM vs Sar? Plus other assorted stuff…

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I talk about the sad events of Saturday at Saratoga, plus a conversation about the older horse division versus the 3 year olds in terms of end of year awards and the BC Classic and a variety of other pertinent topics.

On tonight’s Looooooong Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I spend a lot of time discussing the Jim Dandy, the caller no call on the DQ, how the lack of any explanation to the public feeds into racing’s already dire issue of transparency which unfortunately isn’t even surprising. We also talk about steps to alleviate some of the long standing problems that could be the focus of racing leadership yet isn’t. Take a look ahead to the Travers and BC Classic and how the three year olds will play a pivotal role in that year end championship race this season. Plus Barry does Doc Rivers and Magic Johnson impersonations and brings up Willie Mays Hayes!

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the Haskell, CCA Oaks, Shuvee and the rest of the racing action from around the country. Also talk why HISA is jackpot wagers for trainers, impressions of Saratoga, weak racing content and more…

On this weeks Big Monday Show Barry and I talk about the distressing news out of California that broke last Sunday afternoon that without any warning, TSG was closing Golden Gate Fields at the end of the year. We have some strong thoughts on that and the TSG and it’s leader. We also review Saratoga’s opening week, upsets galore in both two year old stakes and again in the Diana, uncertain weather, smoke again and remind everyone that we will be doing a Twitter Spaces at noon every Wednesday with the Game of Silks crew, previewing the race of the week and taking questions too. Check it out!

On the weeks Going in Circles Big Monday Show Barry and I discuss last weekends plethora of stakes races from around the country before we preview opening day at the Spa and the rest of the upcoming meet. Plus announce a weekly Twitter Spaces at noon on Wednesdays throughout the meet.

In tonight’s Big Monday show we discuss the latest salvo from Churchill Downs towards its chief nemesis Bob Baffert with the announcement that the Hall of Fame conditioner will be suspended from the track once again in 2024. It is tedious at this point but we have thoughts. We also look ahead to the Saturday card at Belmont and several of the excellent stakes including Red Carpet Ready vs Maple Leaf Mel and a couple of turf marathons for three year olds. Check it out ✔️

On this weeks Going in Circles Big Monday we talk about Two Phil’s and the extreme highs and lows of the game…and why Barry and I were anxious to bet against him in his next race that doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen. Plus some commentary on why horse racing social media often misunderstands various industry roles and why not having an independent media is hurting racing in more than a few ways. Plus Barry and I make a wager on a bag!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we are joined by special guest Mark Paul, author of the book “The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told” which centers on the great filly Winning Colors and her emphatic Kentucky Derby win in 1987 and the huge score that was made on her in the future book wagers. Plus we talk some racing issues and a little hoops on Draft week.

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we wrap up the Triple Crown season, recap the strange week that was culminating with a historic win in the Belmont for Arcangelo. We also discuss the inane Synthetic track mandate proposal, why it’s another racing folly, for the millionth time explain why a commissioner is close to impossible to establish and news on some Going in Circles swag on the horizon!

On this weeks show we talk about last weeks debacle at Churchill Downs, how magic bullet ideas never work as intended yet that doesn’t stop industry people from desiring more of them and a little bit of Belmont Stakes talk!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I talk about current events in racing, why we talk about the negative issues, why the HISA veterinarian summit won’t find any smoking gun re:CD breakdown issue, why allowing trainers to run 3 horses in overnight races is a terrible idea, comments about the latest Going in Circles Digest piece about racing’s future and speaking truth about some of todays stakes races.

On tonight’s delayed due to technical difficulties show Barry and I kick around the Preakness weekend and talk about how we each came away with similar emotions about the entire couple of days. We also discuss the bizarre notion that asking questions and pointing out flaws is a forbidden exercise when it comes to horse racing regulation in the eyes of some on the day that HISA went into effect. We reveal why many Derby horses wouldn’t be coming back to race in the Preakness with a 4 week gap that you won’t hear discussed anywhere else (it’s a real thing too). Plus news that we might get a horse! Check it out!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I discuss a plethora of current topics including why changing the dates of the Triple Crown races is folly and will have negative repercussions for a bunch of divisions beyond the Three year old dirt horses. We also delve into the not so shocking news that lawyers are acting like lawyers, why regulation is a perception problem more than anything and a frank conversation on how the business of racing is just sucking the enjoyment right out of so many.

On tonight’s episode we talked about the wild Kentucky Derby weekend that was just brimming with controversy and too bad vibes outside of the big win by Mage whose story is really a great one. Barry and I talk the issues plus recap the big race plus we still don’t know why Talk of the Nation was scratched…

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the two huge cards of racing coming up on Kentucky Oaks and Derby days. We glance over the races and point out some interesting names on the overnight, talk about how little buzz this years Oaks has (almost none), take a quick look at some of the undercard races including what might be the best race run this year (not the Derby btw) before we tackle some glaring issues (again). Check it out!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show we discuss a wide range of topics including the actual viability of racing beyond the near future and how the lack of action on behalf of the tracks in regards to horsemen and bettors grave concerns might be telling. Plus somehow we talk the Republic of Moldova, the last race at Santa Anita Sunday, Finger Lakes opening day and pro wrestlers of the 80’s into the conversation as well.

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I talk about the Lexington Stakes from last Saturday, Irad doing Irad things, the Parx DQ from today and how it might be better adjudicated. How HISA is dropping the ball by not revamping and standardizing on track rules of racing, the Makers Mark and how the perception issue that late odds drop is killing any chance for growth, why single wallet is not gonna be a huge boost, and why we need to fix the actual racing product more than anything. Check it out!

On tonight’s Big Monday show we talk about the three final 100 point preps from the weekend, discuss the surprise announcement made by the meets leading trainer at Fair Grounds to step away from training and have a frank discussion about just how negative the backside atmosphere is currently. Check it out!

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the weekends big events, the Florida and Arkansas Derbies, the controversy over the incorrect time initially given to Forte, disgust that Jimmy Jerkens isn’t training a barnful of good horses, some different ways that we look at races beyond the norm, respect for Age of Empire and a question mark about him going forward, kudos to the OP stewards for “doing something”, a lack of passion and just plain fatigue and how it plagues the sport, the TimeLord is an expert timer, why trash talk in sports is good and a lot of people are hypocritical about it and a whole lot more!

On tonight’s Going in Circle’s Big Monday show Barry and I talk about the Louisiana Derby and the FG Oaks, offer a suggestion for Hoosier Philly’s next race, Barry talks his day at Tampa Bay Downs for Florida Cup day and the stunning performance from Munnys Gold, the Japanese showing at the Dubai World Cup and why if they want to win the Kentucky Derby they should take a lesson from Bold Arrangement, betting strategies that go against the prevailing handicapping winds, 🚫 high ticket prices for big event days and a quick good luck for Snipers 4-3 in the Finals of the Joe Kristufek NBA fantasy league (Clydefrazierssuits was last 🤦🏼‍♂️) oh yeah we HISA’ed too. Check it out!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I talk about the marathon Louisiana Derby card this coming Saturday, plus touch a little on the Dubai Cup races, how does the NCAA basketball tournament resemble racing, some Bullet Bob Meyer stories and a whole lot more!

On tonight’s Going in Circles show we recap the Tampa Bay Derby card with our impressions of Tapit Trice and the rest of the day for which Barry served as a guest TV analyst. We also talk about the lunacy of Dark day racing Twitter, how you can’t tell if horses are “juiced” by looking at a picture, choosing who might be clean and who might be cheating is folly, and how the solutions to racings ills aren’t what most think they are. Plus we talk about a whole lot more, my feelings on Arizona winning March Madness and a dissertation on why the new HISA testing rules can potentially be disastrous.

On tonight’s Big Monday show we talk about a wide variety of topics starting with the 3 triple crown preps from this last weekend, the Fountain of Youth that featured the return of 2yo champion Forte; the San Felipe that had 3 ex-Baffert runners yet Tim Yakteen won it with his own runner Practical Move and the Gotham which was a wild race in the mud, won by Raising Cain under a superior ride by Jose Lezcano. We also discuss the latest stewards screw up, the lack of true Derby trail contenders as we close in on 2 months to the first Saturday in May, why consolidation and the industry shrinking is bad, why tracks don't work together on stuff that we see yet they do many joint ventures behind the scenes when it suits them, and a whole bunch more!

On tonight’s Big Monday show we recap last Saturdays Rebel stakes, talk about the latest GIC Digest which is a grading of all the Derby preps run so far, preview the Fountain of Youth card Saturday from Gulfstream and a whole lot more!

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday show Barry and I have a long reaching conversation about a variety of topics including last weekends Risen Star day card at FG, the bizarre grass situation there, a need for night vision goggles, our obligatory Baffert conversation on who might go where, what can the game do better for players, why we can’t just be like Hong Kong or Japan, why industry insiders should stop with the tone deaf defense of trainers with gaudy records, thank you to Jordan Blair stable and more 🎙

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show Barry and I recap the weekend’s Derby Prep action, preview next Saturdays prep, the Risen Star from FG and some of the other stakes action. Barry also tells us about his day at Tampa Saturday where he acted as a guest handicapper for Sam Davis card and hear about some of the behind the scenes action! 🏇🏻🎙

On this weeks going in Circles Big Monday Show we take a look at last weekends Derby preps from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, plus some of the other undercard races, take a look ahead to Barry’s appearance with the Tampa Bay crew for Saturday’s Sam Davis day and say Happy birthday to Pete Nice and look forward to Gronk kicking a FG during the Super Bowl!

On tonight’s Going in Circle’s Big Monday show Barry and I recap the Pegasus card from Gulfstream Park, talk about his trip to the races and impressions of the afternoon. We also discus the disturbing trend of pricing out the day to day supporters of the industry on its big event days, the CA Derby prep (and other related) issues and some sad news of the passing of our friend and great racing fan Kerry Duplessis 😔

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss last Saturday’s Lecomte stakes from Fair Grounds and what impact it may have on the Derby Trail. We also look forward to this weekend’s Pegasus Day card and also take a quick look at Saturday’s Southwest stakes card at OP where the superpowers collide with a Brad Cox trio facing off against Bob Baffert’s Arabian Knight. We also talk about the difficulties modern day bettors face and how sifting through the readily available information and deciding what really matters and what isn’t is vitally important. Shorter show than usual but hopefully still worth a listen

On tonight’s Going in Circles Big Monday Show, Barry and I are joined by special guest Sid Fernando! In a wide ranging conversation about many different racing issues. We first talk about how Sid got into racing, his various roles and jobs in the game including bloodstock and consulting with his company Werk Thoroughbreds and his writing career with DRF, Thoroughbred Times, Trainer Magazine, TDN and other places. Frank discussions about racing including financial responsibility and how it has affected the game, media coverage changes, racings presentation conundrum, how the sales game/commercial market has changed breeding and stallions, Sid’s overview on the best stallions of the last 50 years, what they have in common (surprisingly) and a whole lot more! It’s long but it’s good!

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I discuss the latest Going in Circles Digest piece which is a Wishlist for racing in 2023. We talk about our hopes for racing in the new year, what changes we’d like to see and a whole bunch of other ideas that we have. We also recap last weekends races that might have some impact on the Kentucky Derby trail including the Sham from Santa Anita, the Jerome from Aqueduct and an allowance race from Gulfstream Park. Check it out and let us know what your wishes for the new year are!

On tonight’s Big Monday show Barry and I kick off our 4th season which makes me laugh considering I wasn’t sure that we’d even make it through one! We talked about 2022 and many of the racing topics and issues that were the big stories, a quick recap of some of last weeks stakes action and had a frank conversation about all sorts of things that we hope to see changed in 2023 and beyond including a real focus on growing the sport via its actual customers, the ones that would be willing to spend time listening to a podcast like this. Happy new year everyone!