What really goes into putting on a day of horse racing? Parney sits down with Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the sport, the business, and everything that happens before the horses hit the track.

Frank shares his unlikely journey into horse racing, how a love of the sport turned into a 24-year career, and what it takes to keep a major racetrack running — from track conditions and surface changes to jockeys, horsemen, regulators, wagering, and the fan experience.

The conversation also dives into the evolution of sports betting and off-track wagering, some of the craziest bets Frank has seen, and the hilarious story of a bettor who turned a $10 bet into a $140,000 payday — and came to the bank to collect before the money was even ready.

Plus, Frank and Parney discuss:
The ins and outs of race-day operations
How decisions are made when weather impacts the track
The growth and evolution of Colonial Downs
The impact of online and off-track betting on horse racing
Favorite horses, jockeys, tracks, and horse names
The Virginia Derby and major racing events
The most important lessons Frank has learned throughout his career
What makes horse racing such a unique fan experience
Plenty of wild betting and racing stories

Whether you're a longtime horse racing fan or know very little about what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers a fun look inside one of Virginia's most unique sports and entertainment businesses.

Visit Colonial Downs Racetrack!

This season of Parney Time is proudly presented by LaBella, a full-service engineering, architecture, environmental, and planning firm who helped bring CarMax Park to life and help build stronger communities across the country. Learn more: https://labellapc.com/

Follow us on social media!

Follow Cheats @BBallMixtape on Twitter @blackbaseballmixtape on Instagram and listen to the Black Baseball Mixtape

Follow Michael Phillips @michaelpinRVA

 

What really goes into putting on a day of horse racing? Parney sits down with Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the sport, the business, and everything that happens before the horses hit the track.
Frank shares his unlikely journey into horse racing, how a love of the sport turned into a 24-year career, and what it takes to keep a major racetrack running &mdash; from track conditions and surface changes to jockeys, horsemen, regulators, wagering, and the fan experience.
The conversation also dives into the evolution of sports betting and off-track wagering, some of the craziest bets Frank has seen, and the hilarious story of a bettor who turned a $10 bet into a $140,000 payday &mdash; and came to the bank to collect before the money was even ready.
Plus, Frank and Parney discuss:
<ul data-start="991" data-end="1459">
<li data-section-id="zb2koo" data-start="991" data-end="1032">The ins and outs of race-day operations</li>
<li data-section-id="12406rv" data-start="1033" data-end="1088">How decisions are made when weather impacts the track</li>
<li data-section-id="1yyl8cf" data-start="1089" data-end="1133">The growth and evolution of Colonial Downs</li>
<li data-section-id="19o42cm" data-start="1134" data-end="1194">The impact of online and off-track betting on horse racing</li>
<li data-section-id="1atovmq" data-start="1195" data-end="1246">Favorite horses, jockeys, tracks, and horse names</li>
<li data-section-id="hwz9b7" data-start="1247" data-end="1291">The Virginia Derby and major racing events</li>
<li data-section-id="gdojoz" data-start="1292" data-end="1360">The most important lessons Frank has learned throughout his career</li>
<li data-section-id="1eetadk" data-start="1361" data-end="1415">What makes horse racing such a unique fan experience</li>
<li data-section-id="17e9tdg" data-start="1416" data-end="1459">Plenty of wild betting and racing stories</li>
</ul>
Whether you're a longtime horse racing fan or know very little about what happens behind the scenes, this episode offers a fun look inside one of Virginia's most unique sports and entertainment businesses.
<a href="https://rosiesgaming.com/racing/">Visit Colonial Downs Racetrack!</a>
This season of Parney Time is proudly presented by LaBella, a full-service engineering, architecture, environmental, and planning firm who helped bring CarMax Park to life and help build stronger communities across the country. Learn more: <a href="https://labellapc.com/">https://labellapc.com/</a>
<a href="https://linktr.ee/parneytime">Follow us on social media!</a>
Follow Cheats @BBallMixtape on Twitter @blackbaseballmixtape on Instagram and listen to the <a href="To%20kick%20off%20season%202,%20Parney%20is%20joined%20by%203x%20MLB%20All-Star%20and%202x%20World%20Series%20champion%20David%20Justice!&nbsp;%20%20Parney%20and%20the%20Pub%20Club%20dive%20into%20David&rsquo;s%20early%20days%20playing%20in%20Richmond,%20his%20rise%20with%20the%20Atlanta%20Braves,%20and%20what%20it%20was%20like%20hanging%20out%20with%20basketball%20icon%20Dr.%20J.%20From%20minor%20league%20memories%20to%20major%20league%20moments&mdash;this%20one%20has%20it%20all.%20%20Follow%20us%20on%20social%20media!%20%20Follow%20Cheats%20@BBallMixtape%20on%20Twitter%20@blackbaseballmixtape%20on%20Instagram%20and%20listen%20to%20the%20Black%20Baseball%20Mixtape:%20https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-black-baseball-mixtape/id1654357631">Black Baseball Mixtape</a>
Follow Michael Phillips @michaelpinRVA
&nbsp;

After spending the last 35+ years in minor league baseball, Todd "Parney" Parnell is peeling back the curtain to share the incredible memories, relationships, and captivating stories from his storied career on the Parney Time podcast.

Join Parney and the "Pub Club" every other week for authentic conversations, wild untold stories, life lessons, and a lineup of guest interviews that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

You never know what's coming next on Parney Time!  

After spending the last 35+ years in minor league baseball, Todd "Parney" Parnell is peeling back the curtain to share the incredible memories, relationships, and captivating stories from his storied career on the Parney Time podcast.
Join Parney and the "Pub Club" every other week for authentic conversations, wild untold stories, life lessons, and a lineup of guest interviews that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
You never know what's coming next on Parney Time!

Parney Time

Behind the Scenes of Horse Racing with Colonial Downs’ Frank Hopf

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7aad54eb-e665-4f92-9107-b4aa014325f7/transcript