Todd Schrupp: TVG Host/Racing Analyst

[image url="http://cdn.bloodhorse.com/images/content/tschrupp_large.jpg"]Todd Schrupp[/image]

With a father in the Marines, Todd Schrupp, born in Edina, Minn., lived many places during his boyhood. The place he remembers best is Camp Pendleton, near San Diego and not far from Del Mar Race Course. In the summers of 1975 and 1976 he and his father often went to the track. Todd taught himself to read The Daily Racing Form during those visits and developed his lifelong love of horse racing.

When Larry Schrupp left the Marines, he moved his family back to Minnesota where Todd became a good basketball player and an even more avid horse racing fan with the opening of Canterbury Downs (now Canterbury Park) at Shakopee in 1985. After his senior year in high school and before leaving for Buena Vista College in Iowa, he got a job at the track in customer relations.

While studying in Iowa, Todd missed Canterbury so much that he transferred from Buena Vista to the University of Minnesota. While studying there he took a job in the track's marketing department, which led to a full-time position as in-house analyst-handicapper. Eventually he became a backup for track announcer Tony Bentley.

Canterbury's finances were shaky, however, and in 1991, with Bentley's help, Todd found a job at Calder Race Course in Miami as the in-house handicapper and backup track announcer to the legendary Phil Salzman. While at Calder, Schrupp earned an Eclipse Award Honorable Mention for his piece on the accident in which Carla Wolfson, wife of trainer Marty Wolfson, was kicked and grievously injured by a horse named Mr. Angel. The upbeat story focused on her recovery and her unwavering love for Mr. Angel.

In 1999, Todd saw an ad in The Daily Racing Form for a new horse-racing network called TVG. He sent tapes, then auditioned, and was one of the first on-air people hired. His career highlight, he says, will always be his involvement in the launch of TVG.

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Shelbyville, KY: 
We've seen some memorable spontaneous moments on TVG (usually involving you and Frank). What've been some of your favorites? Thanks for all the great work.

Schrupp:
I have always wanted the shows I work on to be relaxed and comfortable. In other words, I hope the show comes across like the scene that is played out every day at various racetracks across the country, or what we are doing right now, a group of horseplayers just hanging out at the track and talking horse racing or whatever else might be on their mind. Because of this, each show is filled with spontaneous moments, and sometimes we can forget the power of the medium we work in and just how many people are watching and listening.

There was no better illustration of this than a Friday night at Hollywood Park about three years ago. The conversation between Ken Rudulph and I started to veer away from horse racing (I am sure that will not come as a surprise to many of you) and we started talking about Emilio Estevez. Given how he was one of the most popular actors on the planet during the ‘80s and early '90s, but had fallen out of sight over the last few years I concluded by saying, "Whatever happened to that guy ?"

About three minutes later Emilio Estevez came walking out of the Hollywood Park Grandstand, talking to someone on a cell phone and waving at Ken and I, to let us know exactly where he was. I have talked to Emilio many times since and it turns out he is one of us, passionate about horse racing.

There have been a lot of moments over the years, including a horse named Western Willy who got a little too excited before a race, and with Frank on the set I had no chance, but the Emilio moment truly surprised me. Thank you for your kind words.

Hudsonville, MI:
I have been a huge fan of yours and TVG's since the beginning. Thank you for your contribution. What do you think is TVG's most important contribution to the sport of horse racing? And-can we please (pretty please) see The Works back on the air for the Derby season? I can't tell you how much I have missed the show these last couple of years.

Schrupp:
For you to say you have watched TVG since the beginning is very humbling and very gratifying, thank you. Obviously you have seen not only TVG evolve, but myself and others who have been on-air at the Network when it launched in 1999, develop as well.

TVG will always be the first television network completely dedicated to the sport of horse racing. However, being first is not an accomplishment, TVG's innovation and unique programming will always be its lasting legacy. And if, "imitation is the highest form of flattery", then TVG has been given a lot of compliments over the years.

For example, think of the show you brought up, "The Works". Until TVG went to the Kentucky Derby in 2000 to show the Morning Workouts and give analysis, horse racing fans could only read about what took place in the mornings leading up to the Kentucky Derby and had to rely on someone else's judgment.

When Fusaichi Pegasus flipped over one morning our First year on the air for "The Works", not only was that video available for all horseplayers to see, but it was picked up by countless networks around the country. And that may be the most important point, while TVG is available to more than 60 Million homes worldwide, by covering the sport on a daily basis, we have become a source for the "Mainstream" Media, thereby giving horse racing more exposure.

This past spring, after the tragic death of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby, TVG was the source the "Mainstream" media went to for information. Two good examples, Jill Byrne was a guest on Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, and Christina Olivares was a guest on ESPN's Jim Rome show. Before 1999 Horse Racing did not have an outlet for its message, and finding a competent guest to represent our sport was hit and miss.

Additionally, events TVG turns its programming spotlight towards have clearly benefited. Last week we did a "Works" show for the American Oaks Day at Hollywood Park and geared all of our original programming toward what was taking place at Hollywood Park on Saturday, July 5th. The end result? Hollywood Park had their biggest pari-mutuel handle day outside of hosting a Breeders' Cup or on a Triple Crown day. When tracks take advantage of TVG's resources and bring us on-site and help us promote their event, TVG becomes the single greatest marketing tool a track could have.

I truly could write an essay on TVG's legacy, however, there are other questions to answer and I must move on. However, one other point must be made about TVG and the new perspective it has brought to the coverage of horseracing, and that is the diverse make-up of our on-air talent. When TVG launched, our on-air team was the most diverse group of people; racially, culturally and depth of horse racing knowledge anyone had ever assembled to cover the sport. Through TVG, horse racing was finally a reflection of society at large, thereby giving us a chance to fulfill our mission statement of creating new fans and giving long-time fans a place where they could share their passion with others.

Corbin, KY:
I personally believe drug use and synthetics have gone a long way toward ruining this game, and the thought of a good dirt horse having to run against a mediocre turf horse like Go Between on Polytrack for a division championship is nuts. What are your thoughts on these things?

Schrupp:
It is a complicated time to be a horseplayer, and I have great empathy, because as a horseplayer I have seen the game go through these dramatic changes you are talking about and I find myself mystified many times. What is lacking in both areas you brought up is uniformity, and that is very frustrating because these two issues affect every segment of the industry.

Regarding medication, whether it is withdrawal times or banned use altogether, I don't know how trainers keep track of what they can use and when, especially if they are shipping horses state to state. To be honest, I am surprised there are not more positive tests given the size of stables and all of the shipping.

I was talking with trainer Ken McPeek at the American Oaks Post Draw about this issue, and he had an idea for getting the process jump-started, have the Graded Stakes Committee declare that all Graded Stakes must be medication free. As radical as the idea sounds, it would get everyone in line, and even if this isn't the right idea it is going to take a bold initiative to bring uniformity in the area of medication.

I am conflicted about Synthetic tracks, as a handicapper I don't mind reinventing the game in some ways, but what if Secretariat didn't like Polyfibers, wax and rubber? Looking at some of the horses who are winning Graded Stakes races on synthetic surfaces in California, and those who are not, you can't help but be left with the impression that the most talented horse isn't always winning, but the horse who handles the track is.

Also, there seems to be this impression made by proponents of synthetic tracks that if you question the viability of these tracks and just how truly safe they are, you don't care about the safety of horses. It was this painting of the opposition that led to our mess in California over the winter. On important issues like this, the industry as a whole needs to have an open dialogue and truly have room for all opinions. Most frustrating to me is that the horseplayer is often left out of the equation.

Floral Park, NY:
Will there ever be a day in hopefully in the near future where viewers can elect to stay at one track to watch and wager rather than have to jump around to the other tracks on your broadcast? Can't modern technology enable us to remain at one track of our choosing?

Schrupp:
TVG was initially the Horse Racing Industry's Television Network period. I would love to revisit how everything became so fractionalized, because it would give great perspective to some of the statements being made now, but let's not stray too far from answering your question.

It was thought, once TVG proved its viability and grew to certain levels of success, it could than have regional broadcasts, much like the Fox Sports regional broadcasts around the country. There could be TVG West, TVG Midwest, TVG South, TVG East, etc. Obviously, not all of the industry committed to the original vision, but if they had, you might not be asking that question.

Technology might eventually be the answer. Digital set top boxes have made great advances, and are offering enhancements to programming on a lot of networks you are watching already, so one day you just might be able to pick the track you want to stay at. In the meantime, our producers do a tremendous job deciding when and where to go considering the difficulty in trying to please everyone. And especially considering there is no national racing schedule to make sure races do not go off at the same time.

Fitchburg, MA:
Todd, you are a tireless promoter of the sport of racing. Kudos. If you were named "Racing Czar", what would your first three decrees be?

Schrupp:
You are very kind, and if there is one responsibility I take very seriously it is bringing new people into our sport. Fan education or promotion of the sport has always been my number one priority, it is the only chance we have at ensuring our future.

I gladly accept your nomination as "Racing Czar" and herby make the following decrees:

1. New Tax Code for Horseplayers - There is nothing worse than playing a Pick four ticket for $450 and having it pay $601 and you have to fill out an IRS slip. (Although it should be noted, lately I would love to have a signer of any kind.)
2. National Race Schedule - I understand delays happen in between races and sometimes a race at Delaware Park might go off at the same time as a race at Suffolk, but we have to try and stagger races somehow. And there is absolutely no excuse in this new world of corporate racing that two tracks from the same corporate entity run there races at the same time, and incredibly I have witnessed Graded Stakes Races running on top of each other at racetracks with the same owner.
3. A major race be named after a prominent horseplayer - I came into this game reading the books of Andy Beyer. I even made my own speed figures for a time. Most importantly, I am not alone, many horseplayers have stayed in this game because of the passion they read about in Andy's books and have experienced at the racetrack. While I do not agree with all of his opinions, (and he has directed some harsh ones at me) there can be no doubt about his impact. Naming a race for him, and honoring other horseplayers in this manner would not only be fitting, but the right thing to do. Just on churn, there are many horseplayers who subsidize the entire purses for numerous races alone. Calder Race Course came the closest to doing this with the Pete Axthelm Handicap. Shouldn't there be a Clem Florio Handicap in Maryland next year, and let's do this before these greats are gone.

Louisville, KY:
Todd you keep TVG lively, and you are the best emcee. I think you should host the eclipse awards. My question, is there a beef between you and Mike Watchmaker?

Schrupp:
Thank you for your confidence in my abilities. I am honored just to be able to cover the Eclipse Awards for TVG, and it is a real thrill to be able to present an award.

Lively discussion goes on at every racetrack, and horse racing coverage should mirror that. I have never understood shows where everyone has a different selection in a race, but yet no one disagrees. There is nothing wrong with mixing it up once in a while, I do that with Nick Hines quite often, and at the end of the day we are friends.

However, there is nothing to see through with Mike Watchmaker and me. When we are on the air together, each of us is just waiting to get the upper hand on one another. I can remember when he was giddy over me pronouncing Stuyvesant wrong, and I celebrated with delight when he thought Zenyatta had not won a graded stake before her win in the Apple Blossom (the El Encino is graded Mike).

There is not one incident that resulted in these feelings about each other, as one great philosopher once said, "We have to get it on, because we don't get along."

Del Mar, CA:
Why have you not bought or gotten involved in horse ownership?

Schrupp:
I would love too, but I lack the resources and in some ways the courage. I have never seen an individual who puts more material resources and emotional investment into horse racing than the Owner.

I started doing this at Calder when I hosted the replay show. After each race I would mention the Owner first when reading the winning connections. An owner came up to me one day at the track and said it was the first time he heard his name mentioned in 10 years of owning horses. I never forgot that, and continue to mention the owner first when reading the connections on TVG.

I may not be part of the Owner ranks, and I hope some day that will change, but my hat is permanently tipped to anyone who takes out a license to become an owner and dreams of the Winner's Circle. A handful of times over the course of the year someone will come up to me at the track and say they became a horse owner because they watched TVG and saw how much fun it could be, you can't get a much better compliment than that.

Carlsbad, CA:
Seems like on TVG announcers are really rooting for the tickets they give out on air. Do announcers play these tickets with their own money? Or does the network a pay for the tickets?

Schrupp:

I would be so far ahead of this game if TVG put up the money for our tickets, but they don't. Also, I probably would do a lot better if I limited myself to $50 the way TVG limits our on-air tickets. Yes, I play, and most of us play.

If I play a ticket bigger than my on-air ticket, and this goes for anyone else at TVG, you can be assured all of the combinations on that smaller on-air ticket are included. And it should noted, none of us can play all of our tickets. There are many days where a winning ticket is given out, but the person who put it together didn't play it themselves. Regardless, my colleagues and I are just as excited, because we are nothing without the TVG audience and account holders, if they win, we win.

Encinitas CA:
Enjoy your work on TVG!! Do you think the media should be tougher on trainers, owners who are making headlines for the wrong reasons?

Schrupp:

I really expected the fallout to be worse from the "Mainstream Media" after Big Brown's last place finish in the Belmont. Instead, I think the bar is so low for our sport, when it comes to what the "Mainstream Media" thinks of us, that we were treated a lot better than I thought we would be handled.

I just don't think there are enough qualified members of the "Mainstream Media" who can ask the tough questions because they are only familiar with the sport of horseracing a few times each year.

Renton, WA:
Todd, I read so many of the horse racing forums and there is constantly Schrupp bashing. How do you deal with people who take shots at you and other TVG personalities?

Schrupp:
Having gone through TVG's initial launch in 1999 and the over the top criticism we received, it takes a lot to get me worked up. One of the early reviews of TVG written by Bill Finley in a major New York Newspaper suggested that I would "single handedly" destroy horse racing altogether. (I carry that review in my brief case and plan on reading it on the air for TVG's 10th Anniversary.) Steven Crist of the Daily Racing Form had the headline, "TVG, Home Run Ball Drifting Foul", after we had been on the air for just nine months. Even my hero Andy Beyer wrote a column in the Washington post assailing all of our programming from Day One. Stan Bergstein, of the Daily Racing Form watched Day One of our programming and suggested different people should be hired. I think you get the picture, TVG was not well-received by the Horse Racing Media.

Don't get me wrong, some criticism is fair, and TVG as well as me, has become much more polished than when we first launched. However, what has always bothered me about some of the aforementioned critics and the posters on some forums is the elitism that goes on. Have they ever considered that for just one moment, as remote as the possibility may be, they just might be wrong?

I truly appreciate someone, whether it is an opinion they had on a horse race, or in a discussion, can come back and say, "I was wrong". There are people in this sport who honestly believe they know better than anyone else what's wrong and what's right, who belongs and who doesn't. We cannot afford to be so close-minded.

Bottom line, it will never be as bad as 1999 and as much as I want everyone to like me I know that will never happen. The "Charles Barkley Rule" is what I subscribe to, in a room of 100 people you have to assume 50 people like you, and 50 people don't. My own addition to that is I try and change those 50 who don't like me, one at a time.

Portland, OR:
Hi Todd, I enjoy your work on TVG and especially admire your passion and sense of humor while on the air. How difficult is it for you, as an objective commentator, to separate your personal feelings about the outcome of races you cover?

Schrupp:
It is not as hard as I thought it might be. I have been on the air many times when I lost a photo for a good score, or a stewards’ decision did not go my way, and I am positive only my really close friends could tell because they knew what I was alive for.

It all comes down to the realization that my investment is fleeting. Someone connected to the horse who just won or lost has far more time and emotion invested than me. Every winner of every race has a story of obstacles overcome many in the general public will never be aware of. Each winner and loser deserves proper respect and coverage, and through TVG we can get their story out there. This is the job that comes first for me, and it is more instinctual than my wagering feelings, and many times I will put right out there how I did, so we can all move on and give the winner credit.

Lexington, KY:
Todd, I think that TVG could be better, but you and the other hosts seem to always talk more about the West Coast races and leave other races to be shown on tape. Do you think that you and the other TVG hosts put out a good product for other venues (i.e. Turfway Park in September)?

Schrupp:
Turfway Park is a founding Track for TVG and has been an outstanding partner, so I would take issue with your example. However, we are a company based in California and we host a lot of our shows from California tracks when we are not in the studio, so it may seem like we are talking about California based horses because that is where are frame of reference starts.

Having said that, just looking at my travel last year, I went to Keeneland Spring/Fall in Lexington, Kentucky, The Met Mile and Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, Opening week Saratoga, Haskell at Monmouth in Oceanport New Jersey, back to Monmouth for the Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky, the All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, New Mexico and Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse in Tokyo, Japan. That's just me! And those are all just trips and events outside of California.

Clearly TVG is not just a California company. All the on-air people at TVG travel and cover the important events in horse racing no matter where they are. You cannot call yourself a television network if your programming is limited to a state or a studio and taking in track feeds, where I come from that is called simulcasting. And because TVG travels and spends money like a real television network, you cannot just lump them in with all the other ADWs out there.

Council Bluffs, IA:
Hi Todd, I enjoyed meeting you and Simon on Tampa Bay Derby Day. I also enjoy watching you and the others on TVG when I can. My question, what is/are the one or two pieces of information that you focus on when picking a long shot? Are you more concerned with trip handicapping or pace handicapping?

Schrupp:
It is nice to hear from you again. I know it has been a rough spring in Iowa, and I have visited your area before when I went to school at Buena Vista, I hope you and your family are doing well.

To find a long shot I am willing to go further back in a horse's past performance lines than most handicappers. I am constantly seeking a repeating pattern in a horse's past performances. Also, do not get caught up in the statistics everyone has at their disposal, your experience trumps all of that. If a trainer is winless with their last 30 first-time starters, but you know this trainer usually shows up with a live longshot in this situation at least once-a-meet, then as they say, "Go with what you know."

Las Vegas, NV:
What is your most memorable Breeders Cup performance?

Schrupp:
Great question, because I want to give at least five different answers; Personal Ensign, Manila, Ferdinand, Arazi, but I have to go with one I witnessed, Tiznow winning his second Breeders' Cup Classic. Not only the history Tiznow made by becoming the first to win back to back Classics, but everything that led up to that point.

I was assigned to report on Tiznow and the other California horses for "The Works". Tiznow was truly an individual, he did what he wanted to do, whenever he wanted to do it, and in this difficult circumstance his trainer Jay Robbins found a way to prepare him for what would be a grueling race against European Champion Sahkee. While most outside observers were put-off by the quirky morning behavior exhibited by Tiznow, Jay Robbins had him right where he wanted him. Aside from the obstacles Tiznow faced leading up to the race, Belmont Park being the backdrop for the event less than two months after the attacks of 9/11 created one of the most emotional Breeders' Cups ever.

Hurricane, WV:
Thanks Todd for the chat. Who does Colonel John take the Swaps on Sat? Which jockey (Gomez or Nakatani) do you feel fits Colonel John better and why?

Schrupp:
The talent level by both riders is exceptional, and I truly think it is a wash. As you know by now, Garret Gomez will get the ride and he was aboard Colonel John in the Sham. Colonel John most likely will not win this race, because I believe he might be the third best horse in the race. Two Step salsa has been sensational and his speed will be even more effective at the Swaps distance. When it comes to finishing, Madeo would be the horse to beat if Two Step Salsa comes back to the field.

Portland, OR:
Todd, I have enjoyed your voice and opinions on TVG. I especially enjoy the Legends series. Will you be adding more/new episodes - soon? Also is TVG planning to air any basic programs that may educate betting newbies to wagering & strategies?

Schrupp:
Legends is one of my favorite TVG programs, I am very happy you enjoy it so much. TVG's on-air programming is plotted out from January to March, and many shows like Legends will be produced and edited during the Month of April, and then air throughout the year. In the case of Legends, after that initial period of time, no new episodes will be produced until the process starts over the following year.

I am a big believer in fan education at all levels, and TVG has put together a series of handicapping vignettes with some of the top horseplayers in the Country. These quick insights are used at a Producer's discretion and usually show up when the handicapping topic fits a race we are covering.

San Gabriel, CA:
Have you ever hit a pick 6 before?

Schrupp:
My biggest Pick Six hit came on a $576 ticket at Fairplex two years ago. I had a partner, and six of six returned $78,000. It actually is a decent story about not letting the game get you down.

The day before, I was in Las Vegas on vacation and there was a decent carryover at Fairplex, so I played a ticket that was four-for-four with a 20/1 shot, a 9/1 shot and Two 3/1 shots sprinkled in. I played the ticket on my own and decided to call a friend and tell him I was alive and had two horses in the next race, a field of five, and three horses in the last race, a field of nine. I proceeded to go 0 for the next two and was totally dejected, especially since the Pick Six carried over again.

I am at the airport the next day, having just returned from Las Vegas, and while waiting for my ride to pick me up, my friend calls and asks if I want to put a ticket in. I pulled my Form out of my suitcase and handicapped curbside and we agreed on the ticket. When I went home I was so exhausted from the trip I recorded the races and told my friend not to call me under any circumstances. When I woke the next day, I watched the recorded races and we were five for five when my recording ended. I went to the sports section of the newspaper to find out our fate, and saw that a 15/1 shot we both liked won the last race.

One follow-up, I have since given my half back over the two years since.

Arlington Heights, IL:
Who in your mind are the top announcers in the country?

Schrupp:
Tom Durkin and Trevor Denman will always be the 1 and 1A in that discussion. What I especially love about Durkin is that he can capture the gravity of the moment or the lightheartedness, as he did the other day when he sang the winner's name at Belmont down the stretch, 'Doremifasollatido'. A Trevor Denman call that is not often heard but was awesome, is his call of the 1989 Preakness between Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. While most everyone heard the call for a national television audience, Trevor made the call for the on-track and simulcast crowd.

I would like to mention John Dooley. He has many of the qualities Durkin and Denman possess, and most importantly, remains accurate while capturing the moment. He also has a cool personality to match his considerable ability.

North Randall, OH:
When you were at Canterbury Park, I seem to remember hearing you call a few races. Why is it you did not choose this as a career path and what was the catch phrase you used. I can remember it mentioned something about a Broadway play?

Schrupp:
You have a tremendous memory. I still have the headline from the Daily Racing Form when our local Trackman, 'Chaucer', wrote a story about me, "If It's 'Showtime', It's Probably Todd Schrupp". 'Showtime' was my signature phrase, and I played off of it from there. If a horse was drawing away, "It's Showtime but this is all a one-act play", or if it was neck and neck, "It's Showtime and we have a drama developing".

I continued calling as the back-up announcer at Calder Race Course, but found television much easier. Race calling was very nerve-racking, and I admire anyone who takes it on as a profession.

Paris, KY:
What are your thoughts of combining TVG and HRTV for one unified network of racing?

Schrupp:
It wasn't supposed to be like this, and that is very important for people to understand. It is hardly ever mentioned, but people should understand the past to truly know why the current situation exists.

TVG always started out, and through significant financial investment, has continued to be a true television network. We have always had independent studios, originally in Santa Monica, California now occupied by G4 Network, and currently our studios are located at the Howard Hughes Center in Los Angeles. Additionally, TVG has gone out of its way to hire people with a Television News or Live Sports background heavy resume'.

The idea behind all of this has been to present Horse Racing in the same manner other 'Major Sports' are presented. TVG has always made itself through production and distribution the equal to NFL Network, the Golf Channel, NBA Channel, etc. This has been the goal from the very beginning and that is why TVG has had the backing and resources of some of the biggest corporate names in broadcasting.

Through TVG's initial launch Horse Racing had outside investment that had never been seen before, and now comes a very important point, the wagering side of TVG's equation was going to be initially handled by the NTRA. The NTRA was going to operate a National Wagering Hub in Oregon, and could use a portion of revenues for their industry and organizational goals. (Through this revenue stream, imagine an NTRA today that was autonomous and not membership driven, much like the National offices for the NBA or Major League Baseball. How much could they get done on a lot of the agendas brought up in this chat ?) Making this the ideal situation was the fact most of the major racetracks were signed on for multi-year agreements.

Aside from the outside investment, the industry had never rallied like this around one idea, the spirit of cooperation was inspiring. Then before it could begin, it all started to fracture. As racetracks started to be sold and moved piece by piece under corporate banners, issues were raised about the NTRA's involvement and they were forced to pull out. Then, tracks that were part of TVG's original line-up started to drop out as new owners of the tracks pursued their own agenda.

How this original vision never materialized is very important, because many of the same forces who blew it up to begin with, are now pushing an agenda under the mantra, "This is what the fans want." Given that the original plan was truly a fan-friendly and an industry wise course, before it was willfully disintegrated for an individual bottom-line approach, some of these voices seem revisionist at best and somewhat disingenuous to those of us who know what this was supposed to be from the very beginning.

Having said all of this, living in the past will not change this fissured present, but it does help in understanding this inescapable fact, TVG has always kept its promises. No matter the obstacles, TVG has always kept its goal of returning revenue to the industry that benefits owners, horsemen and horsewomen, as well as the host tracks, while at the same time becoming an internationally recognized television brand.

Crown Point, IN:
When you are an analyst on TVG and you give out a Pick 4 ticket, if the Fox Sports.com pick of the day is included in the sequence why is the horse not singled? If it’s your pick of the day shouldn't it be singled in your multi-race wager?

Schrupp:
I look at the Fox Sports.com Pick of the Day as sometimes a 'Best Bet' of the day, and sometimes pointing out a longshot players might not be using. If it is a Best Bet, I will single, if it is a useable longshot it will be one of a few selections I use.

Chicago, IL:
TVG is always promoting large Pick-Six pools with constant urging for bettors to "send it in". Isn't this type of enthusiasm embarrassing for TVG on-air hosts who are forced to increase TVG's handle?

Schrupp:
My enthusiasm as well as most of my co-workers is very genuine, because we are playing right along with you. The frequent reminders while self-promotional are also a great way to make sure our audience doesn't get shut out.

Palm Coast, FL:
What are your thoughts on TVG and exclusive content rights to simulcast signals being shared? As a fellow handicapper your company is hurting all of us who would like to wager on multiple tracks.

Schrupp:
For a better understanding about the situation please read my response to the query from Paris, Kentucky about a unified horseracing network. Also, as a Florida resident you can now be a TVG account holder, so I don't know how you are missing out on any of our track partners.

TVG would love to have many new track partners and has made many overtures to make that happen. In fact, TVG Management testified at the most recent CHRB meeting they have offered numerous deals to swap content, but there was little response and in some cases obvious unequal counteroffers.

Harrisburg, PA:
What ever happened to Claudia Simon on TVG? She was a great part of the team.

Schrupp:
Claudia was my first on-air partner, and some of the most fun I have ever had on-air at TVG was with her. Claudia is a mother now and still lives in Los Angeles.

Pittsburgh, PA:
Todd, Thanks for joining us today. It takes a lot of courage to put your picks out there on a daily basis. Why doesn't TVG post an ROI on each analyst?

Schrupp:
Getting Frank Lyons to fill out the Official Picks Form is chore enough. I have taken it upon myself to keep track of my Pick Four total, and it really is an individual responsibility, doing it otherwise would require hiring someone in a full-time capacity.

Pittsburgh, PA:
Why doesn't TVG offer wagering in Pennsylvania?

Schrupp:
It has always been the position of TVG to go into states where the law is clear allowing Advance Deposit Wagering. Other ADWs have made a broader interpretation and gone into more states, but TVG has always believed in the "Rule of Law".

Chicago, IL:
Todd, I really enjoy you insightful comments. Why can't we have past horse heroes (with today's celebrities) goodwill tour certain tracks to promote the sport.

Schrupp:
This Fall in California there will be a Legends Race, not horses, but Hall of Fame retired riders. TVG's Chris McCarron will be one of the participants.

Nicholasville, KY:
How long each day does it take you to prepare for the on-air analysis?

Schrupp:
Each of us is given a packet with all of the past performances for the races we will be covering during our shift the next day. I will spend two hours the night before handicapping, and then make adjustments for an hour after scratches come out in the morning.

Grants Pass, OR:
As a big fan of TVG for many years I am curious to know why TVG no longer has the Arlington Park and Churchill Downs daily racing. Also will TVG get the winter Santa Anita TV contract as well?

Schrupp:
Churchill Downs Incorporated and the tracks they control made exclsuive deals with selected partners and pulled their product from TVG late in 2006. The same can be said for Santa Anita and its parent company, it should be pointed out, in our first year on the air we showed races from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita until the signal was pulled at the discretion of the new owner.

Santa Monica, CA:
On this coming Saturday, there are 46 flat tracks running. Is there too much racing?

Schrupp:
After visiting Japan, I think there is something to be said for "less is more". However, I assume your count includes other breeds aside from Thoroughbreds and in some ways the abundance of racing speaks to the importance of the horse to the fabric of America.

Louisville, KY:
Some people might think I'm crazy when I say this, but I think Street Sense might've been better than Curlin. I think that if Street Sense were running as a 4 year old, Curlin wouldn't be getting away with the handicap division so easy. What are your thoughts? Do you think Curlin is better?

Schrupp:
Throw in Hard Spun, maybe even Any Given Saturday, and what a three-year-old crop that was. Street Sense deserves credit for becoming the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner to take the Kentucky Derby the following year. However, I can't imagine seeing another horse go from maiden winner in his three-year-old season to top three finishes in all of the Triple Crown races and Breeders' Cup Classic winner by the end of the year, Curlin was phenomenal. What Curlin accomplished in his three-year-old season may be eclipsed by what he is trying to do as a four-year-old, and after you see him in person, you will know why he is the best of his generation.