Winning Ponies

Rick Violette, Jr. has had many achievements in a career that took him from showing hunters and jumpers to becoming the President of the National Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. He will be discussing the growth of the racing program in New York, and stake his opinions on why there should be year-round racing and the organizations' efforts to find second careers for retired thoroughbreds. In the second segment DRF columnist Marcus Hersh will be our handicapper. He concentrates his efforts on the Fair Grounds and Chicago racing scene, and will tell us who's hot, and who's not, pointing out any horses which have impressed him and how the track bias has been playing. He will then join John in handicapping the $400,000 Gr. 2 Risen Star Stakes and $200,000 Gr. 3 Rachel Alexandra Stakes from the Fair Grounds and then look at Gulfstream Park's $400,000 Gr. 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes and $225,000 Gr. 2 Davona Dale Stakes. All of these races will have an impact on the KY Oaks and KY Derby.