Bill Finley

Rich Mendez joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss how he got involved in racing, how Morplay Racing got its start, and stable stars Brotha Keny and Shisospicy.

It was a good year for the new management team at the Maryland racetracks, where the average daily handle at Laurel was up 13.49 percent and average per-race handle increased by 14.29 percent. To talk about what went right for Maryland racing last year, the future of the GI Preakness Stakes, the decision to form a circuit with Colonial Downs, and to report on the rebuild of Pimlico, Bill Knauf, the president and general manager of the nonprofit Maryland Jockey Club, joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room...

Bill Knauf, the president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to outline plans for the future of racing in Maryland, including this year's Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and trainer Rudy Rodriguez have reached an agreement that will end Rodriguez's provisional suspension and allow him to return to training, HISA and Rodriguez announced jointly in a statement released Tuesday. His suspension will officially end on Wednesday. Rodriguez has not started a horse since Dec.  13. Rodriguez's problems began in November when HISA alleged that the NYRA-based trainer had violated rules related to "cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse" of Thoroughbreds. At that time, HISA served Rodriguez with a "notice of violation and...

The already struggling racing and breeding industries in New Jersey were hit by potentially devastating news on Wednesday when it was reported that there are bills afloat in the state capital in Trenton that could eventually allow Monmouth Park to reduce its meet to 25 days a year. Is this the beginning of the end for one of the sport's most iconic and picturesque tracks? Not necessarily. (I'll get to that later). But it's hard not to be pessimistic about Monmouth's future. As with so many things that have become...

John Sikura, President of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, joins the TDN Writers' Room for a candid discussion on the future of California racing and potential paths toward revitalization. Sikura also shares an inside look at current life at the farm, providing updates on everything from champion Thorpedo Anna to new sire Barnes.

While prefacing his remarks by saying that "nothing is set in stone," Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey told the TDN that the main pre-GI Kentucky Derby goal for presumptive 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) will likely be the GI Curlin Florida Derby to be run at Gulfstream Park Mar. 28. Spendthrift's other top prospect, Further Ado (Gun Runner), is likely headed to the GI Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 4. Ted Noffey is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is based in the winter at Palm Beach Downs...

As the dust settles on the 2025 racing season, the TDN Writers' Room team is gathering for one last round of conversation. In this festive finale, presented as always by Keeneland, Bill Finley, Randy Moss and Zoe Cadman pull up a chair to celebrate and unpack the moments that defined the year. The team takes a deep dive into the top horses and races of 2025. It's no secret that Book'em Danno (Bucchero) was Bill's favorite horse, but Randy and Zoe shared "Top Race of the Year" picks that might...

In this festive finale to the TDN Writers' Room in 2025, the team of Bill Finley, Randy Moss and Zoe Cadman looked back on some of their favorite races and horses of the year. They answered a few listener write-in questions and even fielded a few curveball questions sent in by the producers. Tune in for a trip down memory lane and a look ahead to 2026 with the Writers' Room.

This week on the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, get ready for a special Best of 2025 episode. Throughout the year, people from all corners of the industry joined us on the show as the Gainesway Guest of the Week to provide candid conversations and insights. In this episode, we roll out the highlight reel of the most compelling interviews of 2025, bringing back the voices and moments that defined the season. This week listeners will hear from: Griffin Johnson: The popular social media star and entrepreneur discusses his...

The TDN Writers' Room saw a host of entertaining and enlightening guests in 2025. Here's a look at few of our favorites: Griffin Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Junior Alvarado, and a collection of industry veterans who shared stories of the legendary D. Wayne Lukas.

Trainer Brad Cox joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss stable stars like GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Further Ado, 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Cannoneer, GII Clark Stakes runner-up Hit Show and others.