Down the Stretch for July 24, 2023

Deviating dramatically from all previous episodes, this 30-minute epic concerns host Peter Gross and his buddy Jim McKenny and their return to Saratoga after a 4-year absence. Over 11 days, the pair were joined by Gary ‘Suitcase’ Smith and Garnet Barnsdale. The betting was uninhibited and, for the most part, unsuccessful. Listen in horror as Pick-5 bets die after just one race. Mark Casse had an opening day winner and tells us why that matters, while indicating he has good reason to go to Woodbine for the Oaks and Plate Trial. The host takes a bath, financially and literally as he enjoys the Roosevelt Spa and Massage. Then he interviews race caller Frank Mirahmadi and gets pep talks from Rodney Dangerfield, Marv Albert, Robert De Niro and Andy Rooney. The trip was not fruitless thanks to the free kiwis given out daily. On the final Saturday of the trip, Down The Stretch hooked up with trainer Jeff Gillis who had 2 strong entries in the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Pace at the Saratoga harness track. And on the way home, Gross and McKenny place more losing bets on the Queen’s Plate Trial and Woodbine Oaks, leaving them wonder how they could leave the Casse horses out.