2024 marked another successful year for the TDN Writers' Room, which is presented by Keeneland and hosted by the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss. This week we look back on a few of our favorite guests throughout the year.
First, we checked in with Richard Migliore ahead of a historic Belmont Stakes weekend. 'Richie' reminisced on Belmonts past and shared what he was looking forward to most for the first-ever 'Belatoga.'
“I can already feel the energy that's been in town,” Migliore said as he called in from the famous Saratoga picnic tables a few days before the big event. “Saratoga always holds that kind of energy and you feel the charm of it, the mystique of Saratoga, but it's amped up even more here. I don't want to say it's going to be a madhouse, but it's going to be on the edge of chaos.”
Then ahead of the Saratoga Race Meet, we talked with Flavien Prat, who decided to move his tack to New York in 2022 and wow, does the decision seem to have paid off this year. Prat would go on to established a new record for stakes wins by a jockey at Saratoga.
“I'm riding for great connections,” Prat said when asked about his decision to relocate. “I'm very fortunate. My agent is doing a great job so everything is going well right now. It felt like it was the right move at the right time. I was in California for six or seven years and it felt like it was time to do something and explore the East Coast. I had the opportunity to ride for some trainers there so I felt like it was the right time to do it.”
Mike Repole's passion for horse racing was as evident as ever when he joined the show the week just after Fierceness's (City of Light) Travers victory. The outspoken owner and breeder discussed his leading 3-year-old colt as well as the changes he's looking to bring about with the National Thoroughbred Association.
“I think we're making a lot more progress than people think,” Repole said when asked about his fledgling organization. “There has been more talk over the past 10 months than there has ever been. Many people agree with what I'm saying. The only negative feedback I get is they don't like the style. You know what? Other styles haven't worked for 40 years.”
Aidan O'Brien, who had one of the talking horses of the year in City of Troy (Justify), checked in to the Writers' Room ahead of this year's Breeders' Cup. O'Brien not only talked about his star 3-year-old, but he also looked back on Breeders' Cup pasts and shared how much he enjoys the championship meet.
“It's unique isn't it?” noted O'Brien. “I think you have to experience it to believe it with the atmosphere and the hype. It's just very special. All the best horses are there and it's the ultimate test.”
The TDN Writers' Room is also presented by WinStar Farm, the Pennsyvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds,and XBTV.com. Watch out for a special holiday episode next week on the TDN Writers' Room.
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