*Barn Notes 1-17-20* FAIR GROUNDS INSIDER PODCAST A MUST LISTEN

By Grant LaGrange —-

FAIR GROUNDS “INSIDER” PODCAST A MUST LISTEN FOR HORSE RACING FANS

Longtime racing fan, publicist and podcast Chad Schexnayder offers a behind the scenes look at Fair Grounds racing as well as difference-making handicapping tips

New Orleans (January 17, 2020) – Created and hosted by longtime Louisiana racing fan, bettor, publicist and insider Chad Schexnayder, the “Fair Grounds Race Course Insider Podcast” continues to pick up steam. Episode #10, which dropped earlier this week, covers Saturday’s “Road to Derby Kickoff” card like a blanket, and is a must listen for those seeking out valuable information.

“In addition to the six stakes, there are five maiden special weight races on the card and Mike (co-host Diliberto) has a ton of insight on how those horses have been training and we dig into their breeding as well,” Schexnayder said.

The former simulcast TV host at Fair Grounds, Diliberto is the long-time morning line odds maker at the track and he also serves as a clocker in the mornings.

“When you’re handicapping a race it’s all about the information you have,” Schexnayder said. “Time only means so much in a workout. We want to know how they looked, if they were in company, if they did it easily.” That’s what Mike Diliberto can really bring to this podcast. He sees how all of these horses are doing in the morning.”

“Sometimes you see a work time that looks slow but then Mike (Diliberto) will tell you that the horse was all the way in the middle of the track and was doing it really easily,” Schexnayder continued. “Sometimes he’ll notice that a horse may have been struggling in the last eighth of a mile. Mike is very honest when discussing what he sees and he was in rare form on this podcast!”

Schexnayder came up with the Insider Podcast idea over the summer, and with the help of sponsors Fair Grounds and Dixie Beer, it became a reality when the Thoroughbred season began. Now ten episodes in, the content has been a mix of handicapping and behind the scenes interviews.

“So far we’ve had Dave Johnson the legendary race caller, jockey agent Anthony Martin Jr., top trainer Al Stall Jr., and top horseplayer Patrick McGoey as guests,” Schexnayder said.

“We are trying to give the listener something different. Our goal is to have good guests with a little flavor. We want give the fans a chance to get to know them and what they do on a more personal level.”

Although he went to the racetrack a few times as a kid, Schexnayder’s love of the game grew over time.
“I went to college in Lafayette and would go to Evangeline Downs over the summer with (retired NFL quarterback) Jake Delhomme,” Schexnayder recalls. “My degree was in communications and a spot at Fair Grounds opened up in the publicity department so I got the chance to move back home.”

He worked for the Krantz family for 3 ½ years in the late 90’s. It was a time of change, and Schexnayder tried to stay ahead of it.

“It was right around the whole internet boom,” Schexnayder recalled. I did notes that we posted to the internet. We used to bring trainers and jockeys up to the press box, interview them on a mini-recorder, and then post it to the website. Mr. Krantz was very forward thinking with all of that stuff. Now we are in the podcast era and it’s so much easier.”

Where to find the Fair Grounds Insider Podcast

https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/fair-grounds-race-course-insider-podcast/

Subscribe at: Itunes, Buzzsprout or Spotify.
Twitter: @fgracingpodcast
Facebook: Louisiana Horse Racing Fan Page