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Nov 13, 2026
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Triple Crown? What Triple Crown?

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LRL: Full field slated for Thirty Eight Go

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Zip Start lukewarm fave in contentious My Sister

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PODCAST: 3,800 wins and still going strong

Nov 11, 2026
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PRX: Lady Annabelle cruises in Disco Chick

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This week’s Midlantic stakes schedule

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Charles Town: Latest jockey and trainer stats

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For accidental jockey JD Acosta, another goal in sight

PODCAST: A Maryland racing family affair

Laurel Park picks and ponderings: November 13, 2026

Triple Crown? What Triple Crown?

LRL: Full field slated for Thirty Eight Go Go

Zip Start lukewarm fave in contentious My Sister Pearl

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For accidental jockey JD Acosta, another goal in sight

Frank Vespe
Nov 13, 2026
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PODCAST: A Maryland racing family affair

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Nov 13, 2026
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John Piassek
Nov 12, 2026
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Triple Crown? What Triple Crown?

Frank Vespe
Nov 12, 2026
Ivy Girl 01
Breaking Maryland MD Racing Racing Top Stories

LRL: Full field slated for Thirty Eight Go Go

The Biz
Nov 12, 2026
Zip Start 02
Breaking Racing Top Stories West Virginia WV Racing

Zip Start lukewarm fave in contentious My Sister Pearl

The Biz
Nov 12, 2026
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PODCAST: 3,800 wins and still going strong

The Biz
Nov 11, 2026
Lady Annabelle 04
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PRX: Lady Annabelle cruises in Disco Chick

The Biz
Nov 10, 2026
Delaware Park 01
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This week’s Midlantic stakes schedule

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Nov 10, 2026
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Charles Town: Latest jockey and trainer stats

The Biz
Nov 10, 2026
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Charles Town track super Doug Bowling to retire

Press Release
Nov 09, 2026
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Laurel Park weekend wrap: Maidens take center stage

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Mid-Atlantic three stars: November 9, 2026

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Owner-breeder Tracy Johnson Mulroy passes

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Nov 08, 2026
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CT: Jack Carson turns tables in WV Juvenile

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Nov 08, 2026
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John Piassek
Nov 07, 2026
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For accidental jockey JD Acosta, another goal in sight

Frank Vespe
Nov 13, 2026
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Laurel Park picks and ponderings: November 13, 2026

John Piassek
Nov 12, 2026
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Breaking Handicapping Maryland MD Racing

Laurel Park picks and ponderings: November 8, 2026

John Piassek
Nov 07, 2026
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Charles Town picks and analysis: November 7, 2026

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Laurel Park picks and ponderings: November 7, 2026

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Nov 06, 2026
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Md. Million: Youth served, but experience counts too

Frank Vespe
Oct 26, 2026
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Md. Million: Make it 11 for Kerness K

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Oct 25, 2026
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Classic double for Barbadian Runner

Frank Vespe
Oct 24, 2026
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King’s River posts Md. Million Turf shocker

Frank Vespe
Oct 24, 2026
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Takethemoneyhoney romps in Md. Million Distaff

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LATEST VIDEOS

Trainer Lacey Gaudet has two horses entered in Saturday's Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs -- including one she claimed just two short weeks ago! Lacey Gaudet gives us the skinny on her two Claiming Crown runners as our guest on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz! The Gaudet family has played a prominent role in Maryland (and Mid-Atlantic) racing for decades: from Lacey's dad, the late Eddie Gaudet, her mom Linda (still active in the family operation), herself and sister Gabby Gaudet... and now, the youngest member of the family, her 3-year-old son, well, he loves to spend time at the barn, too. In this exclusive interview, Lacey discusses the benefits (and challenges) of a racing family affair, talks about her lifelong love affair with horse racing, and lets us in on what kind of horses she wants in the barn. Today's episode of Midlantic Racing Today is presented by the Maryland Jockey Club. 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Claiming Crown preparations and race-day routines 02:37 – Acquiring Initialize and Indy Charges On and planning for the horses 06:52 – Past Claiming Crown runners and Gaudet’s claiming approach 12:17 – John Jones, Dontletsweetfoolya, and other standout horses 20:45 – Gaudet’s path into racing and hands-on approach 25: 13 – Her father Eddie's influence and legacy 31:47 – Working with her mother and raising her son around the barn 36:46 – The future of Maryland racing 39:57 – Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes analysis and wrapup #LaceyGaudet #Marylandracing #LaurelPark #ClaimingCrown
A racing family affair
There's a rider at Charles Town who's amassed more than 3,800 career victories, five graded stakes wins, and 15 West Virginia Breeders Classics wins -- and his mounts have bagged more than $84 million in purse earnings. Plus, he's still going strong! Jockey J. D. Acosta is our guest on today's episode if Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Acosta has been one of the top riders at Charles Town virtually since his arrival there as a youngster back in 2002, and at 45, he's still in the top five at the track this year by wins and earnings. He's also established himself as one of the top Dominican riders of all time, trailing countrymen Rudy Baez and Joel Rosario for the wins lead. Today's episode of Midlantic Racing Today is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. 00:00 – Introduction and the trophies JD Acosta has collected 04:20 – JD’s memorable (and not so memorable) mounts 17:40 – Building a jockey’s career 24:20 – Work, fitness, and adapting to the business 28:10 – JD's Lessons to his younger self, managing money, and looking to the future 34:10 – Roots, family, and don’t follow in my footsteps! 37:30 – Legacy and beyond 44:55 – Talking with Paul Espinosa on the recent 2-year-old stakes at Charles Town 55:27 – Local dash star Duncan Idaho is back in action! 57:06 – Previewing the My Sister Pearl Stakes 01:09:10 – Looking ahead and wrapping up #JDAcosta #CharlesTownRaces #horseracing
3,800 wins -- and still going strong!
In this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, explore the connection between the Maryland Million and the stallion business with Mike Pons and Christy Holden of Country Life Farm. In this discussion, we explore Maryland horse racing, thoroughbred breeding, the stallion business, and the role of breeding farms in the racing industry. Learn more about the people and traditions behind Maryland's thoroughbred community and the relationship between breeding and racing. 🐎 In This Episode: • Maryland Million and its importance to Maryland horse racing • The stallion business and thoroughbred breeding industry • Country Life Farm and its role in Maryland's horse industry • Maryland-bred horses and thoroughbred bloodlines • Stallion breeding programs and racehorse development • The connection between breeding farms and thoroughbred racing • Stories and memories from Maryland's horse racing community 00:00 – Introduction to Maryland Million and the Stallion Business 02:00 – Meet Mike Pons and Christy Holden of Country Life Farm 04:30 – What Maryland Million Means for Horse Breeders 07:00 – The Importance of Maryland Stallions in Thoroughbred Racing 09:30 – How Maryland Million Supports the Breeding Industry 12:00 – Inside Country Life Farm's Stallion Program 14:30 – Breeding Thoroughbred Racehorses in Maryland 17:00 – The Business of Standing Stallions 19:30 – Building Demand for Maryland-Bred Racehorses 22:00 – Country Life Farm's History and Notable Stallions 24:30 – Remembering Allen's Prospect, Citidancer, and Malibu Moon 27:00 – How Stallions Influence Thoroughbred Bloodlines 29:30 – The Connection Between Breeding and Race Day Success 32:00 – Favorite Maryland Million Memories 35:00 – Maryland's Horse Racing and Breeding Future 37:00 – Final Thoughts on Maryland Million and Country Life Farm 38:30 – Closing Remarks Whether you're interested in thoroughbred racing, horse breeding, stallion farms, or the Maryland Million, this episode offers a closer look at the business and people behind the sport. 🎙️ Featuring: Mike Pons and Christy Holden of Country Life Farm 👍 Enjoy the discussion? Like this video, share it with fellow horse racing fans, and subscribe for more horse racing news, interviews, industry insights, and conversations from Midlantic Racing Today. #MarylandMillion #HorseRacing #ThoroughbredBreeding
Maryland Million & the Stallion Business | Country Life Farm
Get ready for the Maryland Million 2026 with Mackenzie Pfeiffer and John Piassek! 🏇 In this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Mackenzie Pfeiffer of the Maryland Jockey Club joins John Piassek to preview the Maryland Million races at Laurel Park. They discuss horses to watch, race favorites, handicapping insights, and key contenders ahead of Maryland's big day of racing. With 12 races on the card, including eight stakes races and four starter handicaps, discover the stories and matchups that make the Maryland Million a highlight of the regional horse racing calendar. Whether you're a longtime horse racing fan or interested in Maryland thoroughbred racing, this preview offers insights to help you follow the action. 00:00 – Introduction to Maryland Million 2026 02:30 – Meet Mackenzie Pfeiffer and John Piassek 05:00 – Maryland Million Event Overview 08:00 – Laurel Park and the Race Day Preview 11:00 – Key Horses and Contenders to Watch 14:30 – Analyzing the Maryland Million Race Card 18:00 – Race Favorites and Handicapping Insights 22:00 – Evaluating Horse Form and Performance 26:00 – Stakes Races and Major Matchups 30:00 – Breaking Down Individual Race Contenders 34:00 – Potential Upsets and Interesting Picks 38:00 – Race Strategies and Key Considerations 42:00 – Maryland-Bred Horses and Competition 46:00 – Final Race Predictions and Takeaways 50:00 – Closing Thoughts on Maryland Million 2026 54:00 – Outro 🎙️ In This Episode: •Maryland Million 2026 race preview •Horses to watch and key contenders •Handicapping insights and potential favorites •Stakes races and competitive matchups •The excitement of Maryland horse racing at Laurel Park 📺 Watch the full episode and join the conversation! 👍 Like this video, share it with fellow racing fans, and subscribe for more horse racing news, race previews, and insights from Midlantic Racing Today. #MarylandMillion #HorseRacing #LaurelPark
Maryland Million Race Preview: Favorites, Horses to Watch & Expert Picks
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Upcoming Shows & Guests

The show airs every Saturday at 10 a.m. Eastern now through October 31. The next episode will air on Saturday, October 17. Hosts Nick Hahn and Frank Vespe will take the reins for the 29th season of the program.

 

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Recent guests have included trainers Arnaud Delacour, Jr., Graham Motion, Joe Sharp and Lacey Gaudet, jockey Axel Concepcion, HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback, and more. Listen to recent episodes at right.

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