Midlantic Racing Today

Trainer talks unexpected beginnings and breaking new ground

Back in 2020, Keri Brion was in Ireland overseeing a string of horses for her boss Jonathan Sheppard when she learned he was unexpectedly retiring -- a move that thrust her into a training on her own, a job she'd expected to have... just not quite yet. Then The Mean Queen won the Eclipse Award as champion steeplechaser, and things started to happen for her. Keri Brion joins us for an exclusive interview on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. These days Brion has a growing operation based at the Fair Hill Training Center, and while she wants to remain prominent in jumps circles, she's hoping to for growing success on the flat side. It's a great conversation with a trainer with an interesting story. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

How'd an $8,000 claimer end up in a Grade 1 race?!?

When trainer Michael Simone dropped $8,000 to claim Micanopy a few months back, he was hoping for a solid enough horse who would fit in the Mid-Atlantic. But he never expected to land the horse who would give him his first stakes win -- and then take him to the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. Michael Simone joins us for an exclusive interview on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Simone followed his father's footsteps into the racing industry, becoming a trainer just like Dad, but after his father passed away, Simone stepped away from training. He was out of the business from 2012 to 2020. Now he's in the midst of a career year and hoping for bigger things still to come. It's a great conversation with a trainer with an interesting back story. Plus we'll take a look ahead to the racing at Delaware Park this weekend with analyst Stan Salter. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Anthony Farrior's fleet 2-year-olds

Charles Town's first 2-year-old stakes of 2026 are upon us this weekend, and trainer Anthony Farrior arrives holding a strong hand: two, including the favorite, in Friday's John McKee Memorial, and an intriguing debut runner in Saturday's Henry Mercer Memorial. Farrior, Charles Town's defending leading trainer who this year is chasing Ronney Brown, is our guest on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Farrior will send out 3-5 Crystal Veil, along with 12-1 Kickin' With Caity, in Friday's McKee Memorial. Saturday in the Mercer, he'll unveil debut runner Hundley. We'll also check in on his pursuit of 1,500 wins -- he could get there this year -- and Grey Bells, his surprising worst-to-first winner going four furlongs at Timonium in August. Later we visit with Charles Town Races track announcer and morning line maker Paul Espinosa to preview the weekend ahead and recap Charles Town Classic night. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Trainer Pedro Nazario on the journey to his first stakes win

When For the Ladies got up late to win the $75,000 Shine Again Stakes at Timonium Aug. 29, it wasn't just her third consecutive triumph. It also provided the first stakes win of trainer Pedro Nazario's career. Pedro Nazario joins us for an exclusive interview on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Nazario struck out on his own as a trainer in 2021 and has won 70 races and more than $1.5 million in purse earnings since. He worked his way up from hotwalker to galloping horses to assistant trainer to trainer, though he still gallops some of his own. It's a great conversation with an up-and-coming trainer. Plus we'll take a look ahead to the racing at Delaware Park this weekend. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Retired jockey Mario Pino on the journey to 7,000 wins

Only 10 jockeys in the entire history of Thoroughbred racing have amassed 7,000 or more victories. One of them is Delaware native and longtime Midlantic riding stalwart Mario Pino. Mario Pino joins us for an exclusive interview on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Pino entered the last week of his riding career needing five wins to become racing's 10th 7,000-race winner. He bagged six to reach 7,001 by the time it was all said and done. Plus, what was it like riding Hard Spun to a near-win in the Derby? And what happened the time Spectacular Bid came to town? It's a great conversation with one of Mid-Atlantic racing's top riders. Plus Delaware Park analyst Stan Salter will stop by for news and handicapping. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Father-son training duo dishes on racing and life

Veteran trainer Gregory Sacco has won more than 900 races, including nine graded stakes, in a long career. Now his son -- and top assistant -- Will is looking to carry on a multi-generation family legacy. Gregg and Will Sacco join us for an exclusive interview on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. The Saccos will see barn star Crazy Mason try his luck against sprint champ Book'em Danno Saturday in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga and next month they have their eyes on the Delaware Handicap for Social Fortress. And they have a cadre of two-year-olds they're excited about heading towards the racetrack. It's a fun conversation about racing, working with families, carrying on legacies and much more! This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Scouting out Charles Town Classic night

The biggest night of the year at Charles Town Races arrives Friday, and we've got you covered. Paul Espinosa, Charles Town track announcer and morning line maker, joins this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. The Classic has drawn a field of 10, including prior winners Skippylongstocking (2023-2024) and Banishing (2025), along with last year's runner-up, Willy D's. And Midlantic racing folks will have plenty to root for on the day, including Maryland-bred Barbadian Runner in the Classic and West Virginia-breds like At a Premium (Oaks), Ryan's Run (Hilton Memorial), and Xcellent Start (Classic). Hear all about it in this exclusive interview! This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

• Chapters

Autism Awareness day and Delaware Park's #1 fan

Matt Halter, a 20-something racing fan who also happens to be autistic, has become Delaware Park's #1 fan. That's in part due to his mom's social media presence and even more to his own unquenchable enthusiasm. Matt's mom, Megan Halter, joins us today on Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Matt Halter’s racing journey began with a pony, a blaze, and a Kentucky Derby winner. Where it's taken him is... just about everywhere. Give a listen. We'll also bring in Delaware Park racing analyst Stan Salter to take a look back and a look ahead to this weekend. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

David Walters' "Premium" filly and a racing lifetime

David Walters is, in training terms, something of a ladies' man: his best horses include fillies and mares like Carnival Chrome, Longfield Star, and Cuppa Mocha Mojo. Now he might have the best one of his long career: the three-year-old Great Notion filly At a Premium. Walters, the brother of Maryland-based trainer Henry Walters, joins this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. At a Premium has won all four of her Charles Town starts with the greatest ease. Next week she'll get her toughest test yet when she races in the Grade 2, $750,000 Charles Town Oaks. Walters discusses his long journey through racing, his approach, and what milestones win (or don't). Later we get an update on who's coming to the Oaks, Grade 2 Charles Town Classic, and other major races Aug. 28 from Charles Town Races track announcer and morning line maker Paul Espinosa. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Chasing 5,000 wins!

Trainer Jeff Runco is just 50 wins shy of 5,000 career triumphs and three victories short of being in the top 10 all-time. How has he done it? Jeff Runco is our guest today on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Runco's career resume includes a stint as a jockey, wins in the first two editions of the Charles Town Classic, and a record-setting night at the 2021 West Virginia Breeders' Classics, at which his runners won seven times. After that Charles Town track announcer Paul Espinosa stops by to recap recent racing action and chat about the upcoming Charles Town Classic night card Aug. 28. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Carol Cedeno on comebacks, kids, and more

Jockey Carol Cedeno suffered a scary injury last September at the Meadowlands but recovered well enough to resume riding in March and April. Still, she saved the first win of her comeback for her return home, to Delaware Park. Cedeno joins us on today's Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. A six-time leading jockey at Delaware Park, Cedeno has balanced motherhood and riding to fashion a career that includes more than 1,300 wins aboard horses like Golden Candy, Witty, and Dancer's Melody. We'll also bring in Delaware Park racing analyst Stan Salter to take a look back and a look ahead to this weekend. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

What's the future hold for the Preakness?

In this exclusive interview, we catch up with Maryland horse racing insider TK Kuegler, who's a member of the board of directors of racetrack operator the Maryland Jockey Club and president of Maryland Million. Is he lamenting Maryland's exclusion from the new racing "championship series"? Or does he see the future as so bright he's gotta wear shades? Kuegler appears on this special episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. The Maryland Jockey Club and Gov. Wes Moore made a big announcement this past week. But a lot of the attention was deflected to the championship series announcement. Hear why Kuegler thinks that was the wrong focus. Plus, he'll preview some more big announcements coming down the pike. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Maryland Racing Today, is presented by the Maryland Jockey Club.

What's up at Delaware Park

You never know what you might see in a two-year-old stakes race. Just a few years ago, Jaywalk won the White Clay Creek at Delaware Park, and that helped launch her to an Eclipse Award as best 2-year-old filly after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Delaware has a pair to baby stakes on offer Saturday, the Dover for the boys and the Blue Hen for the girls. We'll preview those with Stan Salter on today's Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Will there be another Jaywalk in one of those? It's not likely, but that's the fun of 2-year-old stakes: you never know. Also on today's show, we'll look back at Autism Awareness Day, recap the Sussex Handicap, and more. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Catching up with the WV-bred Horse of the Year's trainer

Teachintherelease dominated West Virginia-bred foes in 2025, winning the year's biggest state-bred race, the $300,000 Sam Huff WV Breeders' Classic by 14 lengths en route to earnings state-bred Horse of the Year honors. His trainer, Stephen Murdock, joins today's episode of Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Teachintherelease returned to action for the first time since last December on Aug. 1, and he sent a message to his rivals with a dominant allowance win. After years on the backstretch, picking the brains of the likes of the Chief, the legendary Allen Jerkens, Murdock struck out on his own in 2020 and pretty quickly has built a small but hard-hitting barn that also includes Confucius Say Stakes winner Ray of Sunshine. After that Charles Town track announcer Paul Espinosa stops by to recap recent racing action, including At a Premium's big Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes win, Teachintherelease's triumph, and to look ahead to the upcoming Charles Town Classic night card Aug. 28. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

On the Thoroughbred aftercare beat with Bev Strauss

The average Thoroughbred racehorse's career lasts from age two or three to maybe seven or eight. Yet they often live for another 20 years or more. But what happens after the race is over? Bev Strauss, cofounder of Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue, has worked to answer that question for more than 25 years. In that time, her organization has rescued more than 2,600 retired racers. Strauss joins us on today's Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Strauss also is a trainer based at Delaware Park, and she now has eight horses stabled there. We'll also bring in Delaware Park racing analyst Stan Salter to take a look back and a look ahead to this weekend. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Balancing trainer life and mom life

Building a business can be a full-time job. Training horses can be a full-time job. And being a mom to a three-year-old? Yup, that's another full-time job. Charles Town trainer Kristy Gazzier balances all of these. With a couple dozen horses in her growing stable, 10 wins on the season to date, and some youngsters working towards their first starts, she's one to watch at Charles Town. And that's saying nothing of being a mom to her three-year-old daughter. Kristy Gazzier is our featured guest on today's episode of Midlantic Racing Today. Gazzier, who sent out her first winner in 2017, has won 127 times from nearly 970 starters in her career. Her purse earnings are closing in on $2.4 million. We'll also recap last weekend's Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes and look ahead to this weekend and beyond. Midlantic Racing Today is powered by The Racing Biz, and today's episode, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

On the backstretch with a jockey agent

A jockey agent's job is really more than one job. It's like a combination of agent -- connecting jockeys, trainers, and horses -- with a bit of coach and, sometimes, a touch of parent. John Weilbacher, who's done a wide variety of backstretch jobs, plies his trade these days as the agent for Delaware-based journeyman riders Martin Chuan and Kevin Gomez, along with apprentice Emanuel Rosario. Weilbacher joins us on today's Midlantic Racing Today, powered by The Racing Biz. Weilbacher might be best known for his work as the agent for Jaime Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who had ridden for several years at Finger Lakes, came down to Delaware, teamed up with Weilbacher, and proceeded to dominate the Mid-Atlantic for several years before relocating to New York. We'll also look back at Thursday's $150,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes and take a look ahead to this weekend. This episode of Midlantic Racing Today, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racing and Casino.

Building from the bottom up with trainer Stacey Viands

Stacey Viands didn't start out to be a trainer. He wanted to learn more about the business, so he went to work for Ronney Brown as a hotwalker, a groom, and later Brown's assistant. Viands appears on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today. Viands sent out his first starter in 2006, picked up his first winner in 2007, and now has 338 career victories with purse earnings of more than $5.8 million. His top trainees include the four-time stakes winner Parisian Diva for Melinda Golden and, currently, last year's Dash for Cash winner Time to Rock for owner-breeder Jill Daniel. We talk about his racing journey. Plus Charles Town track announcer Paul Espinosa stops by to recap last week's Leavitt Stakes and look ahead to the July 25 Sylvia Bishop Memorial -- and what they mean for the boys and girls three-year-old divisions at the track. Midlantic Racing Today is powered by The Racing Biz, and today's episode, Charles Town Races Today, is presented by Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

What next for HISA?

Today on Midlantic Racing Today: The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was found earlier this month by the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to be unconstitutional. But the 6th Circuit found the opposite. That likely sets up a fight at the Supreme Court over the horse racing law. Now what? What is the court likely to do? Why do some horsemen want to get rid of it? And what comes next if it is overturned? We talk with National HBPA chief Eric Hamelback, whose group has spearheaded the fight against HISA, about these and other questions. Midlantic Racing Today is powered by The Racing Biz.

A lawyer/trainer on the Delaware backstretch?

It's a safe bet that there aren't too many lawyers on the backstretch at Delaware Park. But it's a sure thing that there's at least one. Ted Maher, who trains a two-horse stable at Delaware, pays his bills as an attorney. But his passion for racing keeps drawing him back. He appears on this episode of Midlantic Racing Today. Maher has served as a groom for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, galloped horses in Maryland, and ridden races as an amateur all over the US and in Western Europe. As a trainer his very first starter, back in 2005, won and paid her few backers $215.80 for a two-dollar win wager. It's a tale full of twists and turns. Midlantic Racing Today is powered by The Racing Biz, and today's episode, Delaware Park Today, is presented by Delaware Park Racetrack and Casino.