Ed thought Kentucky Downs' $5 win-place-show minimum wouldn't matter much. After watching the meet and his 83-year-old dad sit it out, he's calling himself out for forgetting the $2 bettor.
The faces in the crowd are what stay with you. Ed remembers Otto, a familiar figure on the apron who became a friend over years of nods, program talk, and trading handicapping info.
Kentucky Downs' one-of-a-kind European-style turf course hosts a stacked Saturday card. Ed shares his plays in the Turf Sprint, Kentucky Turf Cup, Nashville Derby, and Ladies Turf.
The "Midsummer Derby" is here. Ed shares his plays across Saratoga's stacked Super Saturday card, from the H. Allen Jerkens and Personal Ensign to the Forego, Ballerina, and the 157th running of the Travers.
Slots were supposed to save horse racing. Now Gulfstream Park is fighting to cut Thoroughbred racing loose from its casino license, and Ed wonders what the sport gave up along the way.
Ed remembers the heyday of handicapping contests, from near-misses at Keeneland's Grade One Gamble to running contests at River Downs and Turfway, and lays out a season-long contest structure any track could use.
Ed's free picks for the Best of Ohio card at Thistledown: five $100,000 stakes showcasing the state's Thoroughbred program.
Kentucky Downs raises its win-place-show minimum to $5 for 2026, and Ed makes the case that a bold, one-of-a-kind meet deserves bold ideas.
Ed's free picks for Arlington Million Day: three graded stakes at Colonial Downs including the G1 Million, plus the Jim Dandy and Saratoga Special up north.
From parking cars at Turfway Park to calling races at Belterra, Ed looks back on the people and the lucky breaks that built a life in racing. How did you get started?
Ed watches horse racing take the standing eight count: Aqueduct gone after 132 years, Chicago racing dead, and casino partners walking away. A veteran's honest look at where the sport goes from here.
Ed's free picks for Belterra Park's big Friday card: four $75,000 stakes on one program, with his top play and value shots in each.
Power Play Saturday pairs Horseshoe Indy and Saratoga for a loaded card. Ed shares his plays in the G3 Indiana Oaks and Derby, plus the G2 Caress and Bowling Green at the Spa.
