Bill Finley

Pat Cummings joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss the expansion of CAWs and their longterm impact on the sport. This week's episode is sponsored by Keeneland, the Green Group, Coolmore, WinStar, the PHBA, the KTOB, XBTV, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

Tom Ludt joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss the creation of the National Thoroughbred League and the organization's plans for the future.

Tom Ludt has worked for many organizations in the horse racing industry, but never one as ambitious and willing to think outside the box as the National Thoroughbred League (NTL). A group of investors who are planning to bring the team concept that is the backbone of the four major sports to racing has hired Ludt to be the league's president of horse operations. With the job, Ludt will be in charge of all things racing, including acquiring the horses that will make up the league. With the NTL set...

Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer in history to win a Triple Crown race when her trainee Arcangelo claimed the GI Belmont S. The history-making horsewoman joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss her journey to the big stage.

After reading the various commentaries over recent days by Ambassador Mack and Bill Finley and the Letters to the TDN Editor on the synthetics debate, I heard Bill say during this week's TDN Writer's Room that we could reduce fatalities by the hundreds with a surface shift. A close analysis shows the numbers are much greater than that. First a step back. The industry needs a revamp in the way we present this discussion to the public at large and those opponents who would have our "social license" go the...

Not much has changed at the New York Racing Association in recent years, but that's about to change. A new Belmont Park is now in the planning stages and is expected to be ready for the 2026 spring meet. And what about the GI Belmont S.? Will the three Triple Crown tracks stick to tradition or will there be an overhaul of the series, which would likely mean that the final leg of the Triple Crown will be pushed back a few weeks? To answer to those questions and more,...

It was with great interest that I read Earle Mack's recent TDN Letter to the Editor and Bill Finley's Week in Review piece supporting Mr. Mack's opinion that a major switch to synthetic racing surfaces is called for to save the Thoroughbred Industry. Although I do not know either of these men personally, I respect their accomplishments in our business, their intentions, opinions and intellect. With that said, as much as I agree that training and racing surfaces are critical to horse safety and synthetic tracks have lower catastrophic injury...

David O'Rourke, the CEO and President of NYRA, joined the TDN Writers' Room to discuss this weekend's Belmont Stakes and future plans for Belmont Park. This week's episode is sponsored by Keeneland, the Green Group, Coolmore, the PHBA, Lane's End, XBTV, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

In the wake of 12 horses suffering fatal injuries since Apr. 27 and after a Thursday meeting with horsemen, Churchill Downs announced new safety initiatives that will go into effect immediately. They are: A pause of track-based incentives such as trainer start bonuses and purse pay-out allocations to every race finisher through last place. Purse pay-outs will now be limited to the top five finishers. Churchill Downs officials will engage in ongoing discussions with horsemen to determine ways to reallocate these funds to best serve industry needs. With record-high purses,...

Dave Johnson, who was the track announcer for Secretariat's win in the GI Belmont, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast to share his memories of the unforgettable day in racing's history.

Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Velazquez earned his first Preakness victory aboard National Treasure over the weekend and he joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss the big win.

Renowned racing cartoonist Pierre 'Peb' Bellocq and son/fellow cartoonist Remi Bellocq join this week's podcast and take place in a special, interactive contest.