Off to the Races radio lineup for August 22

by Press Release | Aug 21, 2020 | Breaking, Business, Regionwide

Photo by The Racing Biz.

Off to the Races Radio returns Saturday, August 22 with a lively program focused on Thoroughbred racing and breeding from Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic, and around the country.

The weekly radio show, which airs on the ESPN Richmond (VA) family of stations, and is available everywhere via livestreaming, returns for its 21st season, starting February 22. Terrestrial stations include 99.5 FM, 102.7 FM, and 950 AM. It will continue through October 3.

The program airs each Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. It will also be archived on theracingbiz.com and espnrichmond.com.

This week’s guests include Frank Petramalo and Paul Espinosa. Petramalo, executive director of the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), participated in the decisionmaking process that led to the cancellation of the remainder of the Colonial Downs meet. Espinosa is the track announcer at Charles Town Races; his track will host its two graded races, the G2 Charles Town Classic and G3 Charles Town Oaks, August 28.

As usual, Darrell Wood will also join host Nick Hahn for a Virginia Racing and Breeding Minute. Frank Vespe checks in with a Mid-Atlantic report. Of course, Derby Bill Watson, who gained fame as the original on-air handicapper for Colonial Downs, also will be on board.

“We are excited to get Off to the Races back up and running,” said Frank Vespe, host of the program and owner of The Racing Biz (www.theracingbiz.com), which develops the program. “This should be another great show as we recap the news, look ahead to handicap major races, and talk with some of the most interesting people in the racing game.”

In 2019, on a similar schedule, Off to the Races had a wide-ranging roster of top-notch guests. They included last year’s Preakness-winning trainer Mark Casse; Hall of Fame jockey and Triple Crown winner Ron Turcotte; trainer Graham Motion, who has won numerous Breeders’ Cup races; and many others.