As season one of On the Lead draws to a close, Shannon and PTF sit down for an exclusive conversation marking Everett Dobson’s first 100 days as Chair of The Jockey Club on November 7. In this special season finale, you’ll get an inside look at the recent leadership transition and hear Dobson’s candid reflections on his expectations and vision for the future of the Thoroughbred industry.

When discussing his recent priorities, Dobson outlines a forward-thinking agenda focused on advancing the health and well-being of both horses and participants, working closely with HISA leadership to strengthen data collection and use it to drive meaningful improvements in overall welfare. Dobson also emphasizes the need for greater transparency across the industry, ensuring that both stakeholders and the betting public can better understand the economics of wagering while making data more accessible and meaningful throughout the sport.

Looking ahead, Dobson reflects on the power of storytelling and fan engagement, pointing to the NBA as a model for how a sport can successfully leverage its greatest assets, its fans and athletes, to build deeper connections and broader appeal.

Hosts Shannon Kelly of the Jockey Club and Peter Thomas Fornatale from In the Money Media sit down with two special guests on a memorable edition of the show.

Christian Countzler of Stable Recovery and Will Walden, a Grade 1 winning trainer who is also an ambassador for the program, share their recovery experiences and talk about the special connection between humans and horses that's at the center of this amazing initiative that's helped so many people.

Brought to you by The Jockey Club.

Shannon Kelly and PTF are back with a look at a fascinating new Jockey Club initiative -- the creation of a new category of races for horsemen and owners: Ratings Races. Kyle McDoniel and Chance Moquette of Equibase join for an in-depth discussion about the hows, whys, and benefits of this new project that aims to create better options for connections and more interesting races for bettors.

The newly introduced Ratings Races initiative, spearheaded by the Jockey Club in collaboration with Equibase, represents a transformative advancement in the racing industry, aimed at providing enhanced opportunities for horsemen and owners. This initiative seeks to establish a novel category of races that will simplify conditions, thereby facilitating greater participation and engagement from owners eager to race their horses without the apprehension of potential claims.

In this enlightening discourse, we are joined by Kyle McDonald and Chance Moquett from Equibase, who elucidate the intricacies of this pioneering project and its anticipated benefits for both connections and bettors alike. The conversation delves into the algorithmic framework underpinning the ratings system, emphasizing its potential to produce competitive fields that enhance the overall betting experience. Ultimately, this initiative aspires to foster a more vibrant racing landscape, characterized by larger, more competitive fields and increased opportunities for all stakeholders involved.

Takeaways:

• The introduction of Ratings Races represents a significant evolution in North American horse racing, aimed at enhancing opportunities for horsemen and owners.

• This initiative seeks to simplify race conditions, thereby allowing owners more options and hopefully increasing field sizes at tracks.

• The Ratings system is based on an algorithm that evaluates a horse's form cycle, enhancing competitive fields without the complexities of traditional weight assignments.

• The collaboration between various stakeholders in the racing industry is crucial for the success of the Ratings Races initiative, fostering a spirit of community and shared goals.

• This new framework is designed not to replace claiming races but to complement them, providing additional pathways for horse owners to engage with the sport.

• The ultimate goal of the Ratings Races is to create more interesting and competitive racing experiences for bettors, which could lead to increased industry engagement.

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