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We have all heard the saying "Pace Makes The Race" and it is definitely true. Pace has a significant impact on the outcome of many races daily. Turf, dirt, long, short, pace comes into play. Is it the only factor and end all be all? Of course not, but knowing who will be running where and how fast, and who will and who won't be running fast enough to win at the end of a race is critical to have a chance at long term success. On this Past the Wire TV  video Jonathan Stettin talks about how he deciphers pace, why pace figures and projectors and even computers can't beat the human mind in this area. In this year's Kentucky Derby we saw just how much pace can affect the outcome of a race when Rich Strike benefited from the perfect pace and trip for him to beat horses he would not beat in different pace scenarios. That was an extreme example but lesser examples happen daily and often at big prices. Learn how to have a pace advantage of your own and use it as an edge against your competition!  Being prepared counts. Just like horses train in the morning, we have to get ready for the races as well. Knowing who will be where when is part of that. Pace! Pace makes the race! 

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire we are once again joined by Pat Morrow of Bovada Sportsbook. Our hosts Michael Vale and Jonathan Stettin will talk The Belmont Stakes, some of the supporting stakes and things like props, fixed odds and more with Pat. There has been a lot of criticism about the field sizes on The Belmont Stakes Day card, but we offer a different approach and we will address the fields and offer our strategy as well. Thank you for tuning into another great episode of Gate to Wire, Past the Wire's podcast! 

On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire our hosts Michael Vale and Jonathan Stettin take a look at the three Grade 1 stakes at Santa Anita on Monday, Memorial Day. They'll run the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, or the now just Gold Cup, The Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile and the Grade 1 Gamely. They spaced the races out as opposed to linking them in a late pick 4,5, or 6 but Grade 1's are Grade 1's and we love tackling them on Gate to Wire. Thank you for tuning in. Watch for details on Past the Wire for our Free Belmont Stakes Seminar. You won't want to miss it. 

Another great episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire! Michael Vale had the pleasure of interviewing Bovada's head oddsmaker Pat Morrow. Bovada is one of the largest online sportsbooks based outside of the United States. This year they are offering fixed odds wagering on the Kentucky Derby with several markets including outright winner, head to head matchups, and much more. Michael picks Pat's brain about the nuances of bookmaking and how it works to be on the other side of the counter. We even discussed Bovada's biggest defeats and triumphs over the years.  This is a packed episode with nothing but sports betting and racing talk! Please consider listening. You can find Pat on twitter at his handle @thePatMorrow.   

Do you have to be first or second turning for home in The Kentucky Derby to win since they changed to the points system? A lot of handicappers, especially statistics gurus, seem to think so.  The Kentucky Derby changed from an earnings based system to a points based system for the 2013 running of The Run For The Roses. This kept some sprinters with high enough earnings to race in The Derby from competing in the race. It also kept the fillies out unless they race colts and earn enough points prior to the First Saturday in May.  There is no question, the charts certainly tell us we have had our share of winners who were one, two, turning for home. Can you still win from far off the pace? Is there another reason for the results we've seen besides the point system change? Long time pro Jonathan Stettin weighs in with his thoughts on the subject. You'll also hear our co host Michael Vale weigh in. Jon recently interviewed Mike Smith, the legendary Hall of Fame, Triple Crown winning, Breeders's Cup winning record holder what he thought about that theory. Mike won the Derby near the lead with Justify and from off the pace with Giacomo. Jonathan shares Mike's thoughts or you can check them out yourself HERE Thank you for tuning in to Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire! We have a lot more to come!

Another fantastic episode of Past the Wire's podcast Gate to Wire brought to you by Spendthrift Farm! Grab your spot for the very best, second to none, Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby seminar now while we have spots left. There is both a live version and a replay if you miss the live version. You have to have a reservation! Get all the details RIGHT HERE Mike Smith has one of the best resumes of any jockey in the history of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, the Sport of Kings! He is a Hall of Fame, Triple Crown winning jockey who has ridden some of the best horses in the world. Mike has also won more Breeders’ Cup races than any other rider in history and he is not finished yet. Mike rides Taiba in the Kentucky Derby this year. Taiba is owned by Amr Zedan who also owned Medina Spirit. Should Taiba win the Run for the Roses on the First Saturday in May, Mike Smith will become the oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. It will be his third win in the most exciting two minutes in sports horserace. His first was aboard Giacomo, one of the biggest long-shots to win the race. His next was on Justify who went on to win The Triple Crown. It was Justify who ended that whole Apollo thing about no horse winning the Kentucky Derby without racing at two since, well Apollo of course who won in 1882. Taiba not only did not race at two, but he has only two starts. Interestingly enough Leonatus won The Kentucky Derby in 1883, the year after Apollo, and Leonatus had just two starts. If Mike Smith and Taiba cross the wire first it will truly be historic, but will give Mike some asterisks that will never be repeated or equaled. It is quite the story. Mike sat down for some One on One Q and A with Jonathan Stettin to talk a little Derby and Taiba.

Check out the very best Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby seminar in the game right HERE! Nobody does it better! On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire, our hosts Michael Vale and Jonathan Stettin take a look at a few different topics. They discuss why and how the sad passing of Midnight Bourbon occurred in his stall at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning, but was not reported until Wednesday by the Daily Racing Form.  Apparently Midnight Bourbon fell ill from some sort of gastrointestinal issue following a five furlong workout. The colt reportedly declined rapidly and succumbed to the illness later in the morning. It is a sad and tragic loss.  Midnight Bourbon was one of the top stakes horses in the country and had most recently raced in both The Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia and the Dubai World Cup in Dubai. Not many horses compete in both those races and most horses who ship there to run get a break when they return to the states. Midnight Bourbon had only been back a few weeks and was already working seemingly with no break. Additionally the horse was stabled with his trainer, Steve Asmussen at Churchill Downs. Asmussen also trains early Kentucky Derby favorite Epicenter and the Derby is just over two weeks away. That makes the fact this went unreported for three or four days even stranger.  On a slight stray from the course Mike and Jon take a little look at the Mike Tyson plane incident. We think you'll appreciate their takes. We also take a look at the return of champions Malathaat and Letruska on Friday at Keeneland and Saturday at Oaklawn. Mike and Jon both like a horse in the Apple Blossom, and it is not the heavy favorite and tough to beat champ Letruska.  Thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show!

Is it ever too early to talk Kentucky Derby? Probably not, but it definitely isn't when we know all the point positions and all the Kentucky Derby preps have been run. Sure there is weather, the draw, rider assignments and all the other intangibles as well as angles to consider but a little early speculation never hurt anyone. On this episode of  Gate to Wire, Past the Wire's podcast Keeneland Dan, or Dan Cronin, or even Fat Bald Guy, whatever you want to call him is fine, is joined by another astute handicapper Jimmy Mcnerney. Jimmy is not only a handicapper he is a jockey agent, and the track announcer at Turfway Park and Ellis Park. These two gentlemen provide their thoughts on each and every one of the Kentucky Derby potential runners. The Pick 6 King himself, Jonathan Stettin, known to pick a winner or two moderates and hosts the discussion throwing in a tidbit or two and asking some questions about the panels reasoning and potential concerns. You'll get a good Kentucky Derby head start right here! We have a lot more to come including our Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby seminar that you definitely don't want to miss. We hope you enjoy Dan and Jimmy and take away some good angles for the first Saturday in may and the Run for the Roses! Check out the best Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby seminar info right HERE

Dawn Lupul might be best known as the former paddock analyst for Woodbine Racetrack. In reality she has a diverse, interesting and complex equine background starting with standardbreds and leading to thoroughbreds and the Sport of Kings. Having done just about all there is in the game including breeding and training, Dawn has settled into the small percentage of players who beat the game playing professionally. This is truly a fascinating show. It is estimated less than 5% of the people who play this game beat it. Less than that can actually make a living doing it which requires more than just grinding out a positive ROI. Where else will you see two who do it have some real Q and A? Only on  @Past The Wire TV Watch two of the most successful players who have been able to make a living playing horses talk their philosophies, strategies, techniques, outlooks and more. Just about any player will improve just by watching this show and listening to these two pros. This is a show with lessons and more. It should be hosted on every handicapping site out there. Thank you for watching Past the Wire TV

The last three major Kentucky Derby prep and point races run on Saturday, The Blue Grass at Keeneland, The Wood memorial at Aqueduct, and The Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Derby On this episode of Past the Wire's podcast, Gate to Wire hosts Michael Vale, and The Pick 6 King Jonathan Stettin go over the last big three Kentucky Derby prep races. They talk and provide their analysis and selections for The Blue Grass, Wood Memorial and The Santa Anita Derby.  Thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show:

Saffie Joseph sits down with Jonathan Stettin on Past the Wire TV and our Gate to Wire podcast brought to you by Spendthrift Farm and talks the Kentucky Derby and more. Fresh off a huge win in the Florida Derby with White Abarrio trainer Saffie Joseph sits down with Jonathan Stettin on @Past The Wire TV They talk the big horse, White Abarrio, Saffie’s career, heading to Louisville for the big dance and getting a horse to peak on the first Saturday in May. Saffie and Jon also talk drug testing, rumors, high percentages, accusations of cheating and more. Saffie readily took and answered all the tough questions nobody asks. At Past the Wire we are always ahead of the curve, and we call it as we see it setting the record straight. We think you will enjoy our conversation with Saffie Joseph and getting to know him a little better. Thank you Saffie and all the best in the Kentucky Derby and beyond! Thank you for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the show!

On this episode of the Gate To Wire podcast we are joined by none other than Barry Spears (@UrbnHandicapper on twitter). We talk about Barry's new role at Tampa Bay Downs and how he's bringing a new perspective to racing broadcasts. We also dive into the late pick 4 on Florida Derby Day. Michael and Barry attack the sequence very differently so only 1 will be able to come out on top come Saturday!