Jessica Chapel / Railbird

Interviews

Talking KYC

At Raceday 360, I talk with Dana Byerly about plans for Kentucky Confidential and why we’re using Kickstarter for the project. A couple things I should have said came to me after the interview appeared — for instance, handicapping is a small part of what John Scheinman will be covering as our lead for daily Derby coverage. He’ll be everywhere! Not just buried in past performances. And re: Kickstarter, the decision to use it was more than a matter of the project fitting the model. It’s also an experiment into finding new ways to sustain original, independent turf journalism. And the best part is, as our photographer Scott Serio wrote on his site, “you decide how much the content is worth. That’s right — YOU DECIDE.” We hope you’ll decide it’s worth something.

Posted in Miscellany on March 29, 2011 / Tagged Interviews, Kentucky Confidential, Kentucky Derby, Media, Projects / Comments Off

Talking with Todd

Tim Wilkin interviews trainer Todd Pletcher:

Q: When you won the Kentucky Derby in May — your first — how much of a relief was that to you, especially with all the scrutiny people put on you [he had started 28 horses in the Derby, four of them this year, before getting a win]?

A: I don’t know. I didn’t really feel like I thought I would feel. It didn’t feel like a big relief. It was exciting, it was great to have done it. Maybe I looked at the Derby a little differently than most people maybe perceived it. I have an appreciation for how hard it is to win, how many factors have to go right and there are so many things out of your control that have a say in the outcome of the race. I never just assumed it would happen. People kept saying, ‘you are going to win the Derby, you are going to win the Derby eventually.’ I was certainly happy when it happened.

Understated, as always.

See also, response re: trainer Derek Ryan’s post-Whitney comments.

Weekend Review and Blind Luck over on BC360.

Posted in Racing on August 23, 2010 / Tagged Interviews, Kentucky Derby, Saratoga, Todd Pletcher, Trainers / Comments Off