?Eric Reed is a lifetime horseman from a family of horsemen. His father Herbert trained for over 40 years apprenticing under the guidance of Mack Miller. Eric has trained since 1983 and has grown up with horses his entire life. The racing game has provided Eric and his wife Kay with unique, potentially career changing situations – none like the one they face in the days ahead. Like a kid waiting to get picked for a spot on the school yard baseball team, Eric is on the outside looking in, hoping to get in the Kentucky Derby game with his 3-year-old colt Rich Strike who sits three horses deep on the also-eligible list. What’s most amazing is not the fact that he has a Derby hopeful, it’s the fact that he is still in the racing game at all. In 2016, a devastating fire swept through one of the main barns at their Mercury Training Center and the Reed’s lost 23 thoroughbreds in the tragedy. Facing a mound of financial and emotional challenges after the gut-wrenching event, the Reeds had to give thought to changing careers paths. Horsemen from all parts of the country came to the aid of the Reeds in an overwhelming display of support. Mercury Training Center has literally “risen from the ashes.” Through the on-going backing of his loyal owners, Mercury is back in business. We will talk to Eric about the rebuilding that took place at Mercury and his hopes for his graded stakes-placed Rich Strike to work into a spot in the gate for the Kentucky Derby. Rich Eng is the author of 'Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies' and can be found almost daily on Race Day Las Vegas with handicapper Ralph Siraco, their programs are broadcast live on 1400 KSHPAM and streamed live on the internet. While Rich specializes in the west coast action, come Derby time he has an international view on cashing tickets. Rich will join us on the show not only to discuss this year’s Kentucky Derby and Oaks, but to talk about the project he has in re-issuing 'Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies' with an updated look at the new basic tools one has to start at the betting window. For 20 years, he was Turf Editor and Handicapper for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can follow him on Twitter @RichEng4ProPick and on Facebook.