In The Money Players' Podcast

Part II of our interview with Paul Ruchames, Executive Director of the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST).  Don’t start your Saratoga meet without it! And don’t leave the Spa without helping them out!

As we anticipate the renewal of racing at Saratoga, take a few minutes to learn about the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST).   Thanks to Exec. Dir. Paul Ruchames for joining us.  BEST provides critical services to the staff that makes our sport possible.  Every day.  

PTF and Sean B are back in a show that covers a wide range of topics including the utility of making your own speed figures, his decisions to leave and come back to horse racing, and his idea of who might win the Super Bowl.

PTF & JK are back for a January update to the Top 10 prospects list on the trail to Kentucky Derby 2026. Later in the show they break down the Pick 5 sequence for the Pegasus World Cup card this Saturday (Jan. 24) at Gulfstream Park.

PTF is joined by Duke Matties to break down horse racing action from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park for Sunday (Jan. 18). They tackle the $1 Sunset Six sequence, which covers the last three races from each track and features a takeout of just 15 percent.Best Bets:PTF - Gulfstream Park Race 8 #2 Expensive QueenDuke Matties - Santa Anita Race 9 #8 Angelica Bay

PTF is joined by Maryland Jockey Club's Dan Illman to analyze an approach to horse racing betting action this Saturday (Jan. 17) at Laurel Park, focusing on the Pick 5 sequence.

The show begins with PTF and Sean Clancy playing tribute to Leo O'Brien, a trainer for whom Sean worked and whom PTF admired tremendously.Next up, JK joins PTF and they go over the 2026 Lecomte Stakes with 20 Kentucky Derby points on the line.

PTF & JK analyze horse racing action from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park for Sunday (Jan. 11) looking at wagering strategies for the Sunset Six. This cross-track multi-race wager is available only to retail players and features a 15 percent takeout. Best Bets PTF - #4 Spicybug - Santa Anita Race 9 JK - #1 Queen Maxima - Santa Anita Race 9

Loaded edition of the ITM Players Podcast with 3 full segments starting with PTF and JK looking at Saturday's Sunset Six from 1/st Racing. The sequence is retail only with the last 3 races from Gulfstream and the last 3 Races from Santa Anita. Mikee P. grabs Will Humphrey for opening Saturday at Laurel Park and their Value Pick 5s with a 12% takeout. Mikee then grabs host of the popular podcast And the Tournament Winner Was.... John Gaspar for a look at the Twinspires.com $1000 KDBC/NHC qualifier for this Saturday at Fair Grounds and Tampa Bay Downs. All of these segments can be found on the ITM YouTube channel as well.

PTF hosts Sean Boarman as they answer listener questions about everything from AI uses in racing to the mental side of the game to the best races (so far!) of the century,

PTF is back with you for a special edition of the show that pays tribute to Diane Crump, the first woman to ride in a parimutuel race in the US and the first woman to ever ride on the Kentucky Derby.His guest is Jessica Whitehead of the Kentucky Derby Museum, and she brings an amazing perspective about not only her historic achievements but also her personality. This episode is at once a history lesson, a character study, and a story of triumph. It is not to be missed.

PTF and Nick Tammaro break down the Sunset 6 sequence for New Year's Day from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park.***NOTE*** This video was recorded before Santa Anita cancelled and rescheduled New Year's Day racing for Thursday, Jan. 8 due to an incoming storm.

In an annual tradition, Hall-of-Famer Jay Privman joins PTF to go over each and every category on this year's Eclipse Award ballot. Horses covered include presumptive Horse-of-the-Year Sovereignty, the legendary Thorpedo Anna, three-category contender Shisospicy, and many, many more.

PTF welcomes Duke Matties back to the show to preview the 2026 horse racing meeting at Santa Anita.You can also get access to expert analysis from Duke Matties over at his website dukespicks.com - be sure to use promo code ITM25 to get a 10% discount on your first order!Catch a special livestream at 7pm (PST) DukesPicks.com covering bets and strategies for opening day at Santa Anita: https://www.dukespicks.com/sa-live-w/duke-matties?am_id=PTF_SA

The late week show opens with a preview of the Opening Day action at Santa Anita Park this Sunday (Dec. 28) with PTF and JK analyzing the card alongside broadcaster Michelle Yu. The three offered best bets for the day on the show, including:Michelle Yu - Tempus Volat in Race 5 & Nysos in Race 10JK - Her Laugh in Race 8PTF - Suchet in Race 9Later in the show, PTF talks with Alex Henry for a look at this weekend's JRA action headlined by the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes this Saturday (Dec. 27) at Nakayama Racecourse.

PTF is back hosting our titular pro player, Sean Boarman, for an hour talk on what he's been up to wagering wise as well as discussions of the Tuck Rule, going broke, and th mental toughness required to play the horses.

PTF starts the Players Podcast off with a Mike Maloney catch-up session, complete with player questions. If you would like a copy of Mike's Book, "Betting With an Edge," reach out to PTF directly at PTFornatale@gmail.com.Mikee P grabs Jackson Muniz and Ryan Anderson from the Gallop Out to look at this week's Kentucky Derby Prep Races: The Gun Runner from Fair Grounds and the Springboard Mile from Remington Park. Twinspires.com also has KDBC contests over the weekend surrounding the Cards at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park. Alex Henry completes the show discussing the 2-year-old colts for the Futurity Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse this weekend. Go to inthemoneypodcast.com for picks from the JRA crew for all the races on Saturday night in Japan.

Brought to you by Genny Cream Ale (not really)The new show starts with PTF and Sean Clancy of This Is Horse Racing talking about The Jockey's Circle -- where you can find many excellent gift ideas -- and recapping the top stories from 2025 including Sovereignty and Forever Young.Next up we have David Hill, who talks about his American Gambler substack where he and PTF recently had a good chat about Bill Barich's Laughing in the Hills. You can access it here. You can buy David's book The Vapors in his online shop.

PTF grabs Twinspires.com's Darin Zoccali to preview the Turfway Synthetic Championships this weekend and the $1500 Tournament on Twinspires.com. Mikee P. is back from the Symposium on Racing in enough time for the weekly JRA segment with Alex Henry to talk Hanshin Juvenile Fillies G1 over 1600m this Saturday night.

PTF and Eric DeCoster are here to go in-depth on the first Kentucky Derby Top 10 for 2026. Ted NoffeyInto Mischief - Streak of Luck (by Old Fashioned)Jockey: John VelazquezTrainer: Todd PletcherBest Beyer: 98Last Race: 1st - G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile @ Del Mar (10/31)31Oct25-DMR9Future Pool 2 Odds: 6-1International Price: 10-1https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2025-ted-noffey-caps-perfect-2-year-old-campaign-breeders-cup-juvenile-victory 2. IncrediboltBolt d’Oro - Sapphire Spitfire (by Awesome Again)Jockey: Jaime TorresTrainer: Riley MottBest Beyer: 82Last Race: 1st - G3 Street Sense S. @ Churchill Downs (10/26)26Oct25-CD10Future Pool 2 Odds: 40-1International Price: 25-1https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/really-really-talented-incredibolt-wins-street-sense-with-last-to-first-rally-earns-10-ky-derby-points3. PaladinGun Runner - Secret Sigh (by Tapit)Jockey: Flavien PratTrainer: Chad BrownBest Beyer: 85Last Race: 1st - G2 Remsen S. @ Aqueduct (12/6)06Dec25-AQU9Future Pool 2 Odds: 40-1 International Price: 14-1https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/paladin/20234. BrantGun Runner - Tynan (by Liam’s Map)Jockey: Flavien PratTrainer: Bob BaffertBest Beyer: 101Last Race: 3rd - G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile @ Del Mar (10/31)07Sep25-DMR4Future Pool 2 Odds: 10-1International Price: 20-1https://paulickreport.com/features/bloodlines/bloodlines-presented-by-walmac-farm-del-mar-futurity-winner-brant-keeps-the-grade-1-train-rolling-for-sire-gun-runner5. Further AdoGun Runner - Sky Dreamer (by Sky Mesa)Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.Trainer: Brad CoxBest Beyer: 98Last Race: 1st - G2 Kentucky Jockey Club S. @ Churchill Downs (11/29)29Nov25-CD10Future Pool 2 Odds: 20-1International Price: 20-1https://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Further_Ado_earns_10_Derby_points_in_Kentucky_Jockey_Club_1236. EnglishmanMaxfield - In It For the Gold (by Speightstown)Jockey: Jose OrtizTrainer: Cherie DeVauxBest Beyer: 97Last Race: 1st - Maiden @ Churchill Downs (9/19)19Sep25-CD5Future Pool 2 Odds: 40-1International Price: 33-1https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/risingstars/englishman/7. Blackout TimeNot This Time - Beauty Parlor (by Elusive Quality)Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.Trainer: Kenny McPeekBest Beyer: 93Last Race: 2nd - G1 Breeders’ Futurity @ Keeneland (10/4)04Oct25-KEE9Future Pool 2 Odds: 20-1International Price: 33-1https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/risingstars/blackout-time/8. Mr. A.P.American Pharoah - Trenchtown Cat (by Cowtown Cat)Jockey: Antonio FresuTrainer: Vladimir CerinBest Beyer: 96Last Race: 2nd - G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile @ Del Mar (10/31)31Oct25-DMR9Future Pool 2 Odds: 30-1International Price: 33-1https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/american-pharoahs-mr-a-p-gets-the-nod-in-santa-anita-maiden/9. CannoneerInto Mischief - Catch the Moon (by Malibu Moon)Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.Trainer: Brad CoxBest Beyer: 90Last Race: 1st - Maiden @ Churchill Downs (11/29)29Nov25-CD12Future Pool 2 Odds: part of