Horseplayers Looking For Change Should Be Rooting Hard For Mike Repole Plus Spot Plays For Belmont and Keeneland Saturday - At The Post With Mut

Full disclosure: I do not own any stocks. Like, in anything. I have a 401 (k), but that's a retirement fund, right? I should probably know this stuff. 

That's just to say I don't tecnically know the impact of Mike Repole buying close to a 1.5% stake in Churchill Downs Inc. But that won't stop me from saying this feels like a good thing. 

If you're a horse player, you should be rooting for Repole. 

Repole is an extremely successful business owner (No Bull, Junkless, UFL) and entrepreneur, and one of the most vocal horse owners in the game. His Repole Stable has been massively successful. 

He has tried repeatedly to work with The Jockey Club to make the game better. He's offered his time, money, and experience, and they just don't seem interested. What are they trying to hide? Why are they so worried about a successful business owner who loves racing trying to work with them? I don't get it. 

After all that rejection, he could just sit back with his billions and his talent-rich stable, keep making money, and keep winning stakes races. But he's one of the few big voices in the game who is sick of the status quo, and he keeps attacking the current horse racing administration. 

And I love it. 

I am not a horse racing insider. I'm just a weekend handicapper who is helping his boss try to find the next great grey horse. But if you're reading this, you know things have gotten worse. CAWs are a disaster, and only a few tracks have tried to do anything about it. The betting menu is stale and hasn't changed since about 30 years ago. You still can't tie together a sports bet and a horse bet. You still can't parlay winners on a certain card, say, a TD parlay. These are small betting features that would start to grow the game almost immediately. 

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But no one is fighting for these things. The people in charge seem happy with the state of the sport and unwilling to fight for meaningful change, especially for the bettor. Many small voices push for change, but Repole is the biggest. And loudest. 

In his post about the big stock purchase, Repole said horse racing needs “more education, real marketing, innovation, and evolution.”

“It also needs stronger leadership and greater accountability from the Old Guard racing entities that, in my opinion, have held the industry back for far too long,” he added

Giphy Images.

Does this investment from Repole guarantee a seat at the table when it comes to change? I have no idea. But I know that Churchill Downs Inc. is one of the biggest players in the game. The Kentucky Derby remains the biggest event in the sport, and it's not close.  And guys like Repole working with them to promote real change in the sport is only a good thing for the horseplayer. 

Having Repole and Dave partner on a horse is great. Two of the sport's biggest names teaming up. I'd love to host a show/stream with them and talk about racing and the changes the sport needs. Dave has constantly posted about the CAW issues, and I'm convinced that led to the positive changes at NYRA. 

Because bloggers like me can keep saying it. But Repole and Dave can make things happen if the old guard protecting the sport would let them. 

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This blows. 

Two-year-old star U.S.S. Valor was awesome in winning the Champagne last weekend. He's one of the most exciting prospects we've had in racing in a while. Out west, Hughes (named after hockey star Jack Hughes) put on his own show. The prospect of East vs. West in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile was exciting and might have been the race of the weekend at Keeneland. 

Not gonna happen, per Team Valor. 

Giphy Images.

Look, his horse can do what he wants, but it stinks. Seems crazy to bench a horse who is doing so well, but as I said earlier, I'm just a dumb weekend handicapper. Hope we see this guy on the Derby Trail next year. 

Another Go Go Greys international purchase this week. GGG closing in on 40 horses ans 2 broodmares. 

Ronna's Sizzler made her debut last Saturday at Keeneland in a tough race. She's likely to run in an Arkansas-bred race at Oaklawn next month, maybe on Opening Day there. 

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The stable continues to see 2-year-olds Boston Grey, Drake Grey, and Mr. Popover work towards debuts. Fellow juvenile Mr. Pistachio had his first timed work at Fair Hill. Naughty Nancy ran once at Saratoga and continues to work at Monmouth. We'll see if any of them turn up in a race next week. 

Three-year-old gelding Envision got back on the work tab after his run at Belmont a few weeks ago. 

Miss Watermelon got back to work for the first time since she won at Presque Isle. A lot of GGG action on the workout tab. 

And uh, yeah, new merch. 🔥🔥🔥 hat here, wow. NEED. 

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I don't know how or why NYRA stopped the 5-minute post-race payout delays, but they have. Finally. I was out at Belmont last week and honestly didn't realize it. But watching Friday, it's back to normal. Good. 

DraftKings Racing Race Day 

Full disclosure: we're three weeks out from Breeders' Cup, and a lot of my betting time now switches to prep work for the two days of racing. Planning to have plenty of content on October 30 and 31st. 

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But in primetime, Charles Town has a big stakes program tonight, and DraftKings Racing and DK Horse have you covered. They have a Track Bet Bonus at Charles Town and A Late Night Racing Bonus that goes live after 10 PM. Make sure you see full details and OPT IN at the OFFERS/REWARDS tab at DraftKings Racing or DK Horse. I'll be playing along on DraftKings Racing and watching college football. Nice little Saturday night. 

Some spot plays for the people today. 

KEENELAND RACE 6

WIN/PLACE # 6 CARMEL COAST 

Great debut but has been facing much better - finally drops back to the right level here. 

BELMONT PARK RACE 4

WIN/PLACE #5 AMERICAN GRANT 

Deep closer should love the new Belmont and can be a player at an okay price here

BELMONT RACE 10

WIN/PLACE #2 PROTECT AND DEFEND 
EXACTA BOX 2,6,9

This one just won his maiden, but he looks like he has some talent. The Shug barn has been on fire. 

KEENELAND RACE 5

WIN/PLACE #9 GLOBAL UNREST 

Some #buzz on this one 

Countdown to the Breeders' Cup is on. Good luck if you're playing today - and safe trips for all.