Nick Hahn will host the Virginia program, while Frank Vespe hosts in Maryland. The shows will share some content and personnel, but each will have its own distinctive flavor.

Listen to Off to the Races-Virginia live here!

“We’re excited to bring horseracing radio back to Maryland after these few years of silence and to join forces with Off to the Races-Virginia,” said The Racing Biz publisher Frank Vespe. “This program will build on the years of great work by the team of Off to the Races-Virginia, and we look forward to sharing content and personnel with them. At the same time, each show will continue to focus on issues and events of particular interest to the people in those states.”

Saturday’s Off to the Races-Virginia will feature trainer Kenny McPeek, who has three runners in Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes, and journalist Byron King, who among other things maintains the Derby Dozen list for The Blood-Horse. Also on the docket are Derby Bill Watson, Darrell Wood, and much more.

Listen to Off to the Races-Maryland live here!

Meanwhile, Off to the Races-Maryland will include an interview with national HBPA chief Eric Hamelback about his group’s lawsuits challening the constititutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, as well as a visit with Maryland Steeplechase Association president Crystal Pickett. Also on tap are handicapping with Derby Bill Watson and Nick Hahn, a chat with he Maryland Horse Breeders Association’s John Piassek, and a few minutes with Maryland Jockey Club analyst Kali Francois.

Sponsors of Off to the Races include the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, Virginia Equine Alliance, Virginia Harness Horse Association, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Richard Hackerman-Attorney at Law, and others. The program will air each Saturday through early November’s Breeders’ Cup.

“We appreciate our sponsors who support Off to the Races,” Vespe said. “And we especially appreciate all of our listeners.”

Each week’s show will be archived on TheRacingBiz.com.