EP 12
Breakaway Rail Talk Episode 12: Breeders’ Cup Bets w/ Jim Politano
This year’s Breeders’ Cup is so spectacular we had to drop two episodes of Rail Talk in two days, this time providing a betting companion to the 41st World Championships! On the latest edition of Breakaway Rail Talk presented by Arion Pedigrees, Joe Bianca is joined by friend of the show, owner and excellent handicapper Jim Politano to put together Breeders’ Cup tickets in hopes of making our subscribers some money this weekend. The two cashed a Rail Talk Pick 5 and a Pick 4 at last year’s BC, and they try to build on that success, putting their heads together to construct a Pick 5 ticket for Future Stars Friday, another Pick 5 culminating in the Classic on Saturday and finally, a Pick 4 for the last quartet of Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday. They also find time to reminisce about a fun but frustrating Saratoga meet full of chasing Pick 6 carryovers.
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EP 10
Breakaway Rail Talk 10: Blue Lion Thoroughbreds’ Dave Lyon
This week on Breakaway Rail Talk sponsored by Arion Pedigrees, Joe Bianca sits down for an in-depth 1-on-1 conversation with Dave Lyon, the founder and managing partner of Blue Lion Thoroughbreds. A Saratoga native, Lyon started Blue Lion as a tight-knit partnership with local friends and acquaintances. Before they knew it, the group found themselves on the Kentucky Derby trail with Gotham Stakes winner Morello in 2022. But an untimely injury cost the colt his chance at the Roses, and Lyon tells all about the lessons he learned from managing his partnership through that massive letdown. The two also discussed both the excitement and challenges of getting a smaller partnership off the ground, what it takes to punch above your weight class in a business ruled by big money, the news that winter racing in New York will shift exclusively to synthetic and much more. Don’t miss any of these fascinating conversations on Rail Talk—be sure to subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible or wherever you get your pods. Thanks to Arion Pedigrees for giving us the fuel for our Breakaway Rail Talk fire.
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EP 9
Breakaway Episode 9 – Michelle Yu & Billy Koch
It’s a “reciprocal” Breakaway Rail Talk episode - as Jon Green welcomes 1/ST racing analyst Michelle Yu and Little Red Feather’s Founder/Managing Partner Billy Koch. Fresh off their discussion on the Owner’s Box Podcast, the gang discusses the complex dynamics of Cali racing, the merits of having owners in the Racing HOF, the added value of buying horses with a well-established manager and a gaggle of other thought-provoking subjects. Don’t miss a minute of this highly entertaining episode on…BREAKAWAY RAIL TALK, brought to you by ARION PEDIGREES.
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EP 8
Breakaway Rail Talk – Episode 8 The Ocho with Samantha Perry
Breakaway Rail Talk - Episode 8 The Ocho. Jon Green speaks with Gulfstream Park Handicapper and Paddock Host Samantha Perry about her cross-country journey from Oklahoma quarter horse tracks to the Jersey Shore to South Beach. They also discuss how to handicap races on Gulfstream’s synthetic track and what to look for on Saturday’s Florida Derby card. Jon asks Samantha how being an exercise rider improved her ability to predict winners and how the recently defunct NowNowNow Stakes launched her career as an interviewer.
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EP 7
Breakaway Rail Talk – Lauren Carlisle, Black Dog Bloodstock
Jon Green sits with up-and-coming bloodstock agent, Lauren Carlisle of Black Dog Bloodstock. Lauren discusses her recent successes (including Grade I winning Hoosier Philly), what it's like to bid on and sign for a seven-figure horse and how she short-lists a sale with over 4,000 entries. Jon and Lauren also talk about how quickly they fall in and/or out of love with a horse (the amount of time will surprise you). Breakaway Rail Talk is of course brought to you by Arion Pedigrees, the go-to site for your pedigree needs.
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EP 6
Breakaway Rail Talk Episode 6
Kim Wickens, author of Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse joins Jon Green to discuss her national best-selling book which is attracting readers inside and outside of the racing audience. Lexington, 1850-1875, was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse with international fame. He rose to stardom at a time when the United States was fracturing. The Civil War provides a backdrop for this incredible tale of hardship, grit, determination, and dominance. Lexington is considered the most successful sire in American racing history and his name appears often many times in the pedigrees of racing champions today. Reviewers are calling Kim’s book phenomenal and her research exhaustive. Many reviews mention a new appreciation for racing: “I am not a fan of the horse racing world. To say I went in with a chip on my shoulder reading this would be light, but I wanted to give this book a shot and I'm so glad I did...Lexington is a foundational American sire in the US horse racing world...This is an expansive and interesting story for anyone who knows horses…” - Amazon reviewer And “Horses haven't ever been my thing. But lately my interest is piqued, and Kim Wickens's book Lexington: the Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse, provides a wealth of information that places this particular horse in the context not only of his time, but all time. Lexington was the father of a dynasty!” - Amazon reviewer We are happy to bring you this interview as we salute Kim’s ability to bring a new audience to racing. Thank you to Arion Pedigrees for your continued support and sponsorship. We love how deep Arion’s pedigree of Lexington runs. “Back to the stone ages,” according to Jon.
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EP 5
Breakaway Rail Talk – Vicky Leonard: Correcting Racing Misconceptions
Jon Green welcomes Vicky Leonard for Episode 5 of Breakaway Rail Talk. Vicky is the managing director of Kick Collective in Sydney, Australia and the founder of the successful Kick Up for Racing, an initiative which counters the negative press and impressions of horse racing through media in Australia. Kick Up for Racing is based on four pillars: 1) Addressing misinformation, 2) Amplifying positives and progress, 3) Empower the racing community 4) Accountability. You can learn more at kickup.com.au. Vicky is teaming with partners in the USA to launch Light Up Racing with the same mission of educating the non-racing public on the many positives of the industry and correcting misimpressions through data and information. You can sign up for more information at LightUpRacing.com. Thank you to Vicky for spending time with us and for all she does for the industry. Also, a big thank you to Arion Pedigrees for sponsoring Breakaway Rail Talk.
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EP 4
Breakaway Rail Talk: Of Matzos and Men
Jon Green catches up with his best friend and racing companion, Aron Yagoda, Executive Vice President of Streit's Matzos, in this installment of Breakaway Rail Talk presented by Arion Pedigrees. These two put the fun in dysfunctional. No holds are barred/no topics off limits. Aron shares the story of his first Kentucky Derby -- the highs, ALMOST making a $750,000 deal and the lows, ALMOST losing his shoes on a Greyhound bus. And all at the age of 16. They reminisce about past sales, Eclipse Awards, and big races with D.J. Stable owners Len & Lois Green and how "Aron is the son they never had." You can try not to laugh and have fun listening to this episode, but you will fail.
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EP 3
Breakaway Rail Talk: Making It On Your Own w/Jim Politano
It’s not easy to be a successful racehorse owner, even with all the money and institutional backing in the world. It’s even more challenging to try to do it on your own, as a regular person. But Jim Politano, a die-hard racing fan and renaissance man from Boston, has proven it can be done. A West Point Thoroughbreds partner, he struck out on his own in 2021 and his horses have earned over $750,000 since. Friday, Jim sat down with Joe Bianca for the latest episode of Breakaway Rail Talk, sponsored by Arion Pedigrees. The two had an immensely fun and candid conversation about what it takes to make it in this game, the overall state of racing, his night job as the lead singer of a band that’s also carved out a strong niche in the New England area, and much more.
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Breakaway Rail Talk: All About Pedigrees with Arion’s Andrew Stewart
Andrew Stewart, Bloodstock Manager for Arion Pedigrees, Ltd. joins Joe Bianca this week for a fun discussion to kick off Arion’s presenting sponsorship of Breakaway Rail Talk, the shorter, one-on-one spinoff of the Rail Talk podcast. Arion Pedigrees, Ltd. is a New Zealand-based pedigree provider with a comprehensive and unparalleled database. Joe used Arion Pedigrees while he was a thoroughbred industry writer and though he and Andrew have known each other for a while, this was the first time they actually met—computer face to computer face. The two dove into the rich world of racing and breeding in Australia/New Zealand and why those countries’ exports do so well on the world stage, Andrew’s maiden voyage to Saratoga, his random support of the Cincinnati Bengals and much more. For the deepest pedigree dives, Andrew will return in special Pedigree Corner segments of the Rail Talk podcast. Thank you to Arion (hyper link) for their sponsorship of Breakaway Rail Talk. We know our audience will be equally grateful to use their service to explore the fascinating world of pedigrees.
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Breakaway Rail Talk: Episode 1 with Jennifer Kelly
Jon Green launches our inaugural Breakaway Rail Talk with Jennifer S. Kelly, author of The Foxes of Belair and Sir Barton. Breakaway Rail Talk is one on one conversations departing from our usual current event format. We talk in depth with interesting people in and around the horse racing industry.
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