Mike Calderone is launching a new venture, freeracehorse.com, aimed at revitalizing the harness racing industry by shifting focus from traditional gambling to an immersive, emotional connection with the horses. His platform offers free fractional ownership, interactive voting on horse care, livestreams, and AI-driven chat features to engage users with the stories and personalities of the horses. Calderone envisions this approach as a way to build broader interest and eventually increase betting, creating a more sustainable future for the sport. His operation is based on a 110-acre farm in Delaware, equipped with training facilities and content production capabilities, emphasizing top-tier animal care and storytelling through shows like “Unbridled.”

Calderone’s initiative addresses the decline in horse racing popularity and wagering by targeting newcomers rather than existing racing fans, aiming to attract a wider audience through education and entertainment. Delaware’s supportive racing environment and proximity to multiple tracks make it an ideal base for his project. Investing millions of his own money, Calderone hopes to transform the industry by creating a sports network that combines elements of ESPN, Netflix, and Animal Planet, ultimately turning harness racing into a compelling, accessible experience for a new generation.