Join "Derby" Bill Watson, Michael Dempsey, and Nick Hahn each Saturday morning at 11:00am ET for the latest in horse racing and previews of stakes action! Click on the logo above and listen live each week from June 6 until July 25!
There is a Florida-based crooner who sings about the virtues that a change in latitude brings a change in attitude and the same can be said about horseracing in regard to both geography and a home base.
When runners change circuits or change barns because and owner just gets fed up, things are out of context, habits are changed and often times the results are great for the astute player.
Take, for instance, the King of Chicago Frank Calabrese. The owner has seen over 1,000 of his runners reach the winner's circle at a near 30% clip in his lifetime and his runners have earned over $21 million in purse money.
This year alone he has won 138 races at a 34% clip and his trainer Wayne Catalano has the luxury of putting horses where they belong and where they will win.
Go to the West Coast now and focus on Arnold Zetcher. He recently ended his relationship with Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally and has sent his runners to Bob Baffert and Mike Mitchell.
Lifetime Zetcher has won with almost 9% of his starters and that probably prompted the switch. And to be honest McAnally is not getting any younger, he's very patient with his runners and in this day and age of instant gratification, his style doesn't fit a lot of owners.
Baffert has most of his stock and he sent out his first stakes starter for Zetcher in Wynning Ride in the $100,000 Moccasin on November 16.
Horse bettors can look for several other Zetcher horses to run huge in the upcoming weeks.
One to watch is Chilean bred Budha. Group 1 placed in his native land back in the day, this guy has been overmatched most of his career in the states but did show signs of life in his return to action last spring. With time, Baffert will find a cheap spot for him.
The laugh will be on the rest of the field when Joking Sam returns. He has run 4 times, the Beyers have improved in the last 3 starts and he was over 6 lengths clear of the show horse in his Oak Tree finale.
By Johar, his dam is kin to $1.4 million earner Soviet Line and there are several multiple race winners in the family including multiple Graded winner and near $900,000 earner Gold Land.
A mile and a sixteenth on the grass is ideal.
Red Door Drive has been knocking on the proverbial door and he should blast it on down before the end of the Hollypark meeting.
Horse bettors should know he is fresh from a career effort when beaten a nose in his Oak Tree finale and although he fits in Maiden Special Weight land, if he drops in for a tag, bettors should triple up at the windows.
If looking for a longshot bomb to pay for those holiday presents, horseplayers should look no further than Mad for Candy.
By the brilliant Candy Ride, her unraced dam is kin to stakes winner and near $90K earner Sister's Shamrock, who dropped near $100K earner Party of One.
Mad for Candy has sneaky speed, will appreciate an equipment change like blinkers and if the filly shows up in a maiden $25,000 seller, she'll freak.
Often times in this game a slight change in a habit, like moving to a new stable, can do wonders for horses.
Saratoga
Saratoga opens for the 143rd year on Friday, July 22 for an outstanding 40-day meeting that includes over 50 stakes races and 17 Grade 1 races. The marquee event of the meeting is the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Michael Dempsey will be providing his full card selections throughout the meeting. Mike’s Reports include his selections, analysis, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for every race.
Get your day off to a good start with Michael’s Free Pick of the day from Saratoga.
For information on Saratoga including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here.
Keeneland
Get info on racing dates, stakes races scheduled and track contact information by Clicking Here
Get Free Racing Picks for Keeneland from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here
Churchill Downs
The spring/summer meeting at Churchill Downs gets underway on Saturday April 30, with 24 graded stakes on the betting menu. The marquee events are the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Churchill Downs from Friday through Sunday each week.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Churchill Downs.
For information on Churchill Downs including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Belmont Park
Racing in New York shifts to Belmont Park on Friday April 29 for the spring / summer meeting, which includes the Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday June 11.
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Belmont Park each racing day from Wednesday through Sunday.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Belmont Park.
For information on Belmont Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Gulfstream Park
For information on Gulfstream Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Get Free Selections for Gulfstream Park from professional handicapper Brian Mulligan or purchase his highly rated selections by
Clicking Here
Aqueduct
For Aqueduct racing info including racing dates, stakes schedule, track layout and contact information, Click Here
Get Free Picks for Aqueduct races from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here

