Tampa Saturday | Ren Carothers

We're bringing Red Carruthers from Tampa Bay down.

So glad she's able to jump back on with us on the program.

I was actually thinking about this, right?

You've done radio. I know you've been on the pod.

You've done radio too, right? Yeah, my background is actually

in broadcast. I was a radio DJ for years.

Yes, that's right. Seventies, 80s and 90s, yeah.

What's get All right, go ahead, do it.

Let's make you very popular or unpopular.

Best decade of those 3. Well, you know, it's a tough one

because I know like I love the 80s.

I love like the new wave that came out of the 80s, like, you

know, just since all that. But then like I'm an alternative

girl, you know, I yeah, it's a tough call, you know what I'm

saying? So I can swing.

I mean, don't remember. I also do appreciate the 70s but

you know more eighties 90s girl myself.

Yeah, I think pop in the 80s was peak pop, and I think rock in

the 90s was was one of the great decades of rock.

Also, I could never get in the pop.

I I could never get in the pop, any of the pop, none of it, None

of the bye bye bye, none of any like any of that stuff.

No, I was. I gotta have an edge to my

music. Like that a lot.

She's Redkar Others. Unless it's classical.

Unless it's classical. That could be edgy, a little

early Mozart, something that you know what?

Yeah, you know what? You're right, you're absolutely

correct. Find her at Renker Others.

It's RENCAROTHERS. You'll see her on the track feed

there at Tampa Bay. No Pasco?

No problem. Still a pair of really nice

steaks there at Tampa Bay as well, the Gasparilla.

So I I'm going to ask you the question no one has an answer

to. I love doing these kinds of

things and. Oh, OK.

Putting my guests in terrible spots.

The the the, the Gasparilla's on the dirt and then the Florida

Oaks is on the turf. Explain the world to be Red

Carruthers. I cannot explain that.

I'm so sorry. I don't have an answer for you

on that at all. If people don't know, these are

races that are on the trail to other races which I one of my

favorite things in horse racing is following these trails.

But the Gasparilla is 7 furlongs on the dirt there.

This is for newly 3 year old Phillies 125,000 on the line

here. We do have a big favorite in

Tessellate, which I think is a reasonable favorite on here, but

boy, I got to tell you, I'm really fascinated by the second

time starter for Thomas Proctor, who's off to the hottest start

in the history of horse racing there.

Oh my goodness. With Samuel Marine, who I think

a lot of frankly is our jock as well.

I'll let you go. Oh, no, no, no, no, you're

right. Like I'm right with you.

If you're going to try to be tessellate, I think you do try

to be here with Lightscape, not to pat myself on the back

because she went off as a favorite.

Lightscape was my top pick in her debut.

I love that card. I actually, I believe had some

top pick winners that day, but it was because it was mostly 2

year olds and that was my jam. And so, yeah, she's newly turned

three. I thought, you know, I did end

up putting her on top. And it's because the only way

you can look at Tesla and think that, OK, there might, might be

a vulnerability here because I mean, you look at Tesla's

record, right? Four stars in the money and all

four, two of those wins 1, The debut she won last at the

Juvenile Philly Sprint by 13 lengths.

It was really impressive. The only thing you can maybe say

is, OK, well, or two things really you could say we don't

know yet. Maybe she's a horse for horse.

Maybe she won't translate her form to Tampa, or maybe she

won't want to go the seven furlongs.

I don't see anything to suggest either of those ones for sure,

but Lightscape I just think has upside, even though she's not

been in against competition as stiff as Tesla has.

I I do think that this is a really well meant silly.

I do love the practical jokes in particular over this course.

And when you think back, for example, to domestic products

who won the 2024 Tampa Bay Derby, she's our practical joke.

She's also from like a lit family.

OK, she's out of an Uncle MO mare.

And then I don't know how versed your listeners are in Pedigree,

but I'll just name off a couple names they might know, like Cafe

Phase in the pedigree, multiple champion, you've got a freak

from back in the day, Alstia is in the Pedigree, you've got Arch

Acoma. It's a very rich, potent genetic

makeup that she comes in with and now she's making a second

start. She's getting more ground.

She doesn't look like a six furlong horse to me.

So the fact that she won at 6 furlong by two and three quarter

length after, you know, not the best to start.

She didn't get away with alacrity debut.

I think she moves up here. And then of course, you look at

it, it's like the other the other Saffy Love, like Lucy, you

know, would also probably be in the mix coming out of that

Florida Sire series steaks. So yeah, that's the way I see

it. Kind of boring.

Our mutual friend Barry Spears has love like Lucy on top.

He's going to try her in this spot and just hope that you know

she especially at that price you get Michael husband like just

it's yeah it's hard to look past that one for.

Sure. Lenny Lou, Right, Lenny Lou

that, you know, two starts against mythical.

Who cares if you're beating double digit lengths when you're

in against a horse like that, right?

And the last time, you know, she could be 18 to three quarter

lengths. She's going a mile at 16th.

I don't think she wants it. Yeah, no, it's a fascinating 1,

frankly. What do you think of Gerard's

cross on the outside? Is she fast enough to keep up

here? I think that she's going to have

to go. I think she's definitely going

to have to go. I, I, I, I mean, whatever

happened there with her and the Sandpiper obviously did not get

away from the gate the way that they wanted to because there's

no explanation otherwise for her.

Because, I mean, she's shown that she can hang with a 21 and,

you know, and change opening quarter.

So, I mean, granted, that was on turf when she did that, but

she's shown speed on dirt before as well.

So I, and now she's making a second off the layout.

You know, I don't think she's a horse that's necessarily going

to be in the mix there. Although Kathleen O'Connell is

like back in action. Her barn is rolling lately.

Yeah, Kathleen's one of those trainers that if you don't

follow a very specific circuit, you don't know their work very

well. But 70 winners last year for 493

starters. I mean, she had a really nice

2025. Off to a spectacular start this

year as well with seven winners. And how about this?

Twenty horses in the trifecta and 45 starts this season.

Really, really hot start for her there at Tampa Bay.

We're talking with Red and Carruthers at Red and Carruthers

on the socials. You'll see her on the track feed

at Tampa tomorrow. Pair of steaks in the middle of

the card. 6, 5-6 and seven. We're talking 6-7 in these

races. Excuse me, that's.

Right, right. And by the way, Race 6 does

start the late pick five, yes, right.

Absolutely. And by the way, Tampa has very

friendly take out rates on things like pick threes and and

pick fours, etcetera. Everything's under 20%,

etcetera. So really, really playable.

The wayward last is a mile and a 16th on the dirt course there at

Phillies and Mares 4 and up in this $1.00 and 1/4 in the Kitty

as well. This is an interesting one.

We see the return of Drexel Hill.

We last saw her in the Mother Goose, the grade two behind,

fully subscribed. And you know, in the last race

you talked about Love Like Lucy and who she's run against.

In this one. It feels like Drexel Hill is

almost in that with that company as well.

Good cheer, simply joking, being fully subscribed these really,

really nice three-year old Phillies last year.

But she tries to hold her company against Mother Goose in

November, gets back at it here. What do you make of her chances

here? And you know, I'm off the

layoff. A closer, maybe a tough spot for

her. Yeah, I mean she obviously has

some very impressive class lines and I mean the the only thing I

would say is that no, she she has only been against her age

restricted company. But but yeah, some very good

horses like I mean fully subscribed was the winner there.

It was obviously a real nice one.

But that being said, it is hard for horses to step up against

older. And so I would say that that

would be the vulnerability for her in this spot.

You know, I and and by the way, for those who don't who didn't

follow it fully subscribe. She next won the grade 3 comely

and she did that by four length. She put the 92 buyer figure for

those who don't know what she did out of there.

But I want to go for a horse who's older, who I know is

seasoned against other older horses.

And so I actually went with Ultimate Authority, one of the

sappy Joseph entrance as my top pick, 5 to 1 on the morning line

there. She's coming in off 7th place

finish, but it's about the beaten length.

The beaten lengths weren't terrible.

It was 6 3/4 there on the turf in the Swanee River, going just

a mile at Gulfstream Park. And this is a horse, though, I

mean, if you excuse the Princess Rooney, which that's a hard spot

for a horse to come in off a long life.

She hadn't run since April. The Princess Rooney was in

September. It's just that 7 furlongs run at

good on good ground. She showed a little speed early

and then she faded. So a speed and fade.

That is a speed and fade there to, you know, last beaten 18 and

quarter lengths. And once a horse is like done,

once Jackie knows the horse is done, I don't really care about

the beaten lengths. I just don't because they

wrapped up on them. Right.

And the thing also with the Princess Rooney to remember is

that the the the horse is going to be the heavy favorite in that

race had scratched that afternoon.

So Hall and Ice was able to haul out of there unopposed and win,

right? But if you take it back for

Ultimate Authority and you look at her record prior that in

California, yeah, she was beating double digit lengths in

those races. But look who she's in against.

She's in against Ritchie and Splendora and Cavalieri and some

really flipping good race horses, battle tested horses,

right? I mean, Splendora, for example,

who was 12 lengths in second ahead of Ultimate Authority

there in the Santa Maria, you know, she went on to win the

Sullan Mayor Sprint, right? So, so when you yeah, when you

look at this, I I just think that Ultimate authority is a

horse who's been in against again, this is the word.

I'm just going to keep using season older company.

She's proven against them. And like that she's making a

second off the lay of coming back here on dirt and getting a

mile and a 16th. So that that's the way I looked

at it with her. I I agree with many of your

points and in fact, I had Cavalieri, my top three for my

eclipse vote for older dirt female.

I think that much of her. And so, yeah, she had that kind

of year. And so if you're running in that

kind of company, like the beholder mile grade one out

there at Santa Anita, you're going to get my attention as

well. I'm fascinated by the two horse

in here. Santino picks up the mop for

Safi and I. This is 1 I watched in person

and so I have this. I'm sure you're like me, right?

If you see a horse in person, you have a terrible bias.

And so we ever had that was the the 100th wood memorial that

day. So the gazelle was right before

that and early on did so much good work in that race.

And so I've got that's just so so just in my head, I expected

her to run a little bit better in the Oaks.

I didn't think she was quite up to that group, but she might be

more of a one turn horse too. But but I'm just fascinated that

he's decided to bring her back in this spot.

Well, no, I mean, hey, you got to figure the trainers know

where they're spotting their horses and they're always going

to do their best to spot them where they think they said.

Oh, by the way, the other thing I want to miss real quick about

the one also daughter practical joke who I already went over why

I like his babies on this track. But any case, no, I, I, I, I

totally get it. I just like, again, for me, I'm

just weighing the older mayor saying there is something to

herd dynamics. Also, it doesn't always come

into play. Of course, you know, class is

going to be class. A horse with ability is going to

be a horse with ability. But you know, there is something

to be said for horses when they're in a herd.

You know, they, they, they often, I mean, it's kind of hard

when you're in a race scenario and their adrenaline is pumping.

But there's still sometimes an element of her dynamics that

plays out in racing. So, you know, just another thing

that I look at when I'm looking at a spot like this.

And that's why it's also all the more impressive when you do have

a three-year old who's able to take on older horses, for

example. And, you know, in this case, you

know, these horses are four. I know you know, it it it's a

short field, but I think there's a lot of opportunity to make

some money. I don't think you people just

have to go. Yeah, 4-5 Drexel Hill.

I, I think, you know, she's going to get a lot of attention

because people are going to say, oh, runner up in the Kentucky

Oaks. Sure.

No, I think that's, yeah, I think you're right about that.

But yeah, I mean, it's just, I mean, if you're going to take a

swing against, although I will also say it's a big vote of

confidence that Ben Curtis is in to ride too.

I mean, jockeys, when they don't ride their regular circuit, they

come in to ride, you know, a specific horse, whatnot.

They're potentially giving up who knows how many rides at

their base. No, I think it's a sign that

that both of them think she's got a real shot here.

And frankly, we're watching those bolt Doros grow up just

fine, aren't we? Right.

A. Little bit of with age as well,

but the eighth race and we'll close it out with Renker others

here a little middle pick 3 here 6-7 and eight there at Tampa Bay

on Saturday Milan an eighth on the turf course.

This is I got to say, we were having the conversation

yesterday buried me and I I I ranked Tampa in the top three of

my favorite turf courses to bet in the United States.

I'm sure that's got a Lantern to run.

Yeah. No, that's right.

Yeah. I love our turf course.

I think our turf course is, it's my favorite turf course.

It's fair, you know, we it's well kept, you know, you know,

yeah, I love our turf course. It's beautifully maintained.

Huge shout out to the whole team that makes it happen there.

Love it. It's fantastic.

They'll become an out of the chute there.

So about a 2 1/2 turn race here, mile and an eighth.

It is an allowance. Non twos essentially 55,000 I

wasn't on the line here. I like a horse named Perky in

here. Second, I just wanted to say the

word perky on a Friday morning. Ren, who is always who is always

quite perky when I talk with her.

Who'd you land on on? This that's right.

Yeah, no. So so I yeah, you know, the with

her, I pitched her second. She's 2 for two over this

course. So what's not to like?

You know, I you look at that last where she had, she was last

beating 7 1/2, like who cares? That was an off the turf

optional 25 and 1X in synthetic. I say this all, it was run on

the synthetic culture because again, it was taken off the

turf. And I try to stress this as much

as possible. I think too many people get hung

up thinking that that synthetic and turf are almost

interchangeable. They're not.

It's a think third surface. It is not, you know, just

because turf horses might do better over it than dirt horses,

that doesn't mean it's a, it's a, you know, a turf surface.

It's not. It's a completely different

surface. So I don't really care.

She hadn't run since April. Also on top of it, you know, it

doesn't really bother me. I mean, I did not take her on

top though only because I thought that Mystic C has been

in against and that's the four horse in here for Bill Mott.

She's been in against some tougher competition and she

actually did come back off of or at least a little freshener to

to score. So I feel like the momentum is

there for her. If you look at some of those

company lines of her turf races, I know there's you know, for

example, that mains best way at Saratoga, she closed from well

out of it after having started from the outside post to get

within four and three quarter lengths of the winner on that

occasion. Then second out, I know she was

beaten 8 lengths, but she had a bad start from the gate, like

she didn't have her feet under her coming out.

It was a kind of a a wonky beginning to the race and she

still persevered on. I thought that was pretty gutty

to finish third. I know the beaten lengths were

eight there, but when you look at who the winner was that was

ready for candy and you know, ready for candy when I go back

and and look at it. Although I should also mention

by the way, I'm sorry, I just do want to go back to the Saratoga

Race. I should mention that race

produced 2 Next out winners and one of those was Cliff and

Cliffs most recently got beat like 1/2 length in the grade one

American Oaks and another next out winner from that race is

Peak Height. And she most recently got beat 4

in the grade 3 by Fast Market who Mystic C went on to to face.

But yeah I mean ready for Candy. She went on to win both the

grade 3 Winter Memories and the grade 2 Stance Point.

And then again Mystic C was in against Fast Market in that

September 21st start. That day Mystic C had some

ground loss. The race was just a mile.

She finished 6 1/2 lengths off that winter and that that that's

a nice horse, right. So I think that getting to go

this distance back on grass. She looks live to me.

I like her a lot. I kicked again perky second.

And then I would say for your exotic bets, don't underestimate

the number 7 Miss Brightside and here for making a first start

for this beef. That barn can have a horse show

up and this I this girl, she's making a first at Tampa.

She's been running out in California, still the motto.

But when you look at her record over 2025 now she was

disqualified in January 1st of 2025 from an optional starter 50

race that you know, she had actually finished a length.

The best of you know, of 2nd that day got disqualified from

the person. So if that had not happened here

you have a horse who's finished in the money of six or seven

starts. OK, in 2025 running against I

know in many cases some win restricted company like N3L's

and 2L's because of you know, again, she got disqualified from

the tank, but she was in against some pretty good fields.

Her numbers measure up, her times measure up, and I could

see her sitting not too far off the pace and still have kick to

at least get in the money. So I would not discount her.

Good stuff, I have the 6th horse on top in that race.

In case anyone cares, her name is Sonia Heedy We.

Care. We care.

If she comes out of a maiden win, I love horses that figure

it out and put it together. Thomas Proctor, of course, a

ridiculous record right now. This is a daughter of Curlin,

and so I don't think he added Furlong there is going to affect

her whatsoever. Morales keeps them out.

Yeah, exactly right. So I like her a lot.

I went 6, 6-2 and four in that race.

All right, let's do your pick. 3 here.

Ren race 6. How many are you throwing in?

Well, race 6, I'm just going to go, you know, if if I was going

to add anybody else to the ticket it it might be the three

expecting a winner. So I'd probably maybe go 4 deep

in there. So the three I already mentioned

and then this and then the number three expecting a winner

just because she was close in like a rocket last out there

under Guyardo. OK.

And we are going to see the winner of that race.

That allowance. It was just in a mile of the

December 17th allowance. Wrigleyville is going to run

back today. So we'll see how she does that.

I really wanted to like Phoenix of it.

I did even although I don't want to like her at her three to 1

morning line. But the problem I had with her

when I watched her race back is that it just looked like she had

she had no excuses to finishing third.

And so that's why I wasn't too excited, even though we've seen

her be able to put up, you know, some pretty impressive figures,

you know, and the fact that she was coming in, I know she was

beaten well, beaten in the cellar straws in the stakes

race. So, you know, obviously.

Oh, OK. She got a lot of attention there

at the windows when she ran here in the allowance.

I, you know, I just, I watched it back.

I just didn't feel like there was a big enough excuse to

finish third being four and three quarter length.

She's. Right.

I mean it. You know your mileage may vary,

right? No, that's exactly right.

And she's at the end of a long campaign as well.

But second off the layoff technically, I guess here in

this part of the cycle. So yeah, it's interesting one.

And heck, bet against the DJ stable at your own your own

peril these days, that's why. I don't want to do it.

I love them. I love John Green land green

love you. I love everybody.

Like I just at the same time I'm like, Oh, I can't, I can't let

my although I will say this, I feel like anytime I ever leave

somebody who's like a legit friend off my ticket, they have

a horse and even off the that horse always win.

By a panel. Yeah, right.

Yeah, right. It's like, Oh my God, why did I

not support my friends? This is my punishment.

All the good stuff for sure. Well, she is red car.

Others you will see her on the track for you to Tampa, not just

tomorrow, but all the days that they run there certainly.

And today, of course, I'll make sure you get in on their action

6-7 and eight were the races we went over there.

We appreciate Ren jumping in with us at Red Carruthers on the

socials as well. Have a great weekend, Ren.

Thank you so much. OK, you too.

Thank you so much. Always a pleasure.

No. Problem at all Ren Carruthers

appreciate her jumping on with us.

I met Ren Carruthers through through Mark Ennis.

That is one of the weirdest things for me to say about

someone in horse racing is that I met them through through Mark

Ennis. She actually, I think she just

did, you know, a segment on the drive with Mark when that, you

know that, you know, we do 30 or something like that.

You know, something like and she was up there and I was like, I'm

just going to say hi, like just going to say hi.

But that's all I bet I read. And Zach, that is her energy

level 20. I don't think she sleeps.

I think she's just that's just that's just it's unbelievable.

On the other end, a couple potpourri things, but a guy

named Patrick Kane scored his 500th NHL goal last night.

I'll explain why that's a big deal to a kid from Michigan.

We do it next.