Chris Fallica has fulfilled his childhood dream of working for ESPN, where he appears on College GameDay, writes, and co-hosts a podcast. He is also an avid horse racing handicapper. Get to know him and his thoughts on racing in this fun Q&A.

What I do for a living: ESPN College GameDay personality, co-host “Stanford Steve and The Bear” Podcast, ESPN.com Chalk writer 

What I like about Thoroughbred racing: Where do I start? The short-term excitement of a single race many times throughout the day, the challenge of solving the puzzle called handicapping. I’d put Breeders’ Cup Saturday and Belmont Saturday up there among my favorite days of the year including any sport. 

If I wasn’t in my current job, I would: Work on a travel show. I love to travel and see the world. Amazing experiences, education, and memories. 

Best advice to someone considering becoming a Thoroughbred owner: You’re not going to win the Kentucky Derby. But even having a small part of a horse is incredibly fun. Whether is a lower-level claimer or stakes horse, race day and having a chance to be in the winner’s circle is a tremendous feeling - and very nerve-wrecking!

Should the Breeders’ Cup rotate from coast to coast or have a permanent home: I’d love to see it rotate between Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita Park. Three premier tracks in three different regions, all of which have unique benefits. 

My top three favorite racetracks, in order: Saratoga, Santa Anita, Belmont 

Most influential person in my career: Mike Breen. He gave me the break to get into the business as a college student and without that foot in the door and the connections I made, who knows where I would be. 

My out-of-the-box idea for Thoroughbred racing: Not that it’s too far out of the box, but I would figure out a way to offer consolations on Pick 4/5/6 instead of scratching into the post-time favorite. I think I’m 0-for-2,126,564 when being awarded the post-time favorite. 

Other sports/teams I follow: New York Yankees, New York Jets, New York Islanders, Miami Hurricanes, Liverpool FC, PGA Tour, tennis Grand Slams 

My favorite athletes of all time: Mariano Rivera, Ed Reed, Don Mattingly, Mike Bossy

What book(s) I am reading or have recently read: Recently finished “From Cradle to Stage.” Dave Grohl’s mom interviewed a bunch of other rock and roll moms and came up with some great stories. 

Favorite magazines: Esquire, Travel and Leisure, Vanity Fair, and Phil Steele’s College Football Preview

Hobbies away from Thoroughbred racing: Travel, music, and cooking

Favorite movies: “Goodfellas,” “Shawshank Redemption,” “Kingpin,” “Big Lebowski,” “Victory”

Favorite TV shows I watch: “Blacklist,” “Game of Thrones,” a lot of HGTV, any Anthony Bourdain show - miss him greatly.

Favorite foods: Linguine and clam sauce, gazpacho, lasagna, shrimp with lobster sauce, sushi, truffle pizza from Da Francesco in Rome 

Favorite vacation spot: No way I can narrow this to just one. Italy, specifically Florence; South Africa; Santorini; Turks and Caicos

Favorite musician/band: Not much new in my catalog these days. Metallica, Public Enemy, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Tool, U2, Sublime

Favorite actor: Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Edward Norton 

Five websites I visit daily: ESPN.com, Vegasinsider.com, DRF.com, Rotoworld, Twitter 

I’d like to have dinner with the following three people inside racing: Mike Smith, Larry Collmus, Jerry Moss 

I’d like to have dinner with the following three people outside of racing: You mean three outside of my wife? Mariano Rivera, John Oliver, my GameDay crew (loose definition of one person but I can’t choose just one) 

Best racetrack food can be found at: Saratoga. Shake Shack anyone? 

Fallica at the National Handicapping Championship

Accomplishment I am most proud of: Fulfilling a childhood dream and working for ESPN 

My philosophy on life: Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, live for today.

Things I collect: Memories. And media credentials. A lot of credentials. 

Favorite charities: Local humane society, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, JDRF 

Favorite authors: Wright Thompson, Hunter S. Thompson, Stephen Ambrose, Frank Deford, Bill Nack 

Favorite animal other than a horse: Whales

Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended: 2010 World Cup. Honorable mention: St. Louis Cardinals’ final game of 1998 season when Mark McGwire hit home run No. 70 

Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me: Pick six carryover 

Top three fashion brands you prefer to wear: Ralph Lauren, Land’s End, Adidas 

Favorite month of the year: June - It means the Belmont Stakes, U.S. Open, warm weather and vacation. 

What apps are on your phone: ESPN, Delta, NYRA Bets, MyWinners, Twitter, Facebook, HQ, American Express, Shazam, Stay Lucky, Westgate Superbook, VSiN, talkSPORT, Uber, Open Table, Weather Channel. Pretty boring - I know! 

Favorite summer cocktail: Rum and Coke 

Favorite winter cocktail: Wine 

Favorite all-time racehorse: Invasor or Left Bank. Invasor made me look very good in 2006 and Left Bank was such a cool horse winning at a bunch of different distances before sadly leaving us too soon. 

Favorite race horse currently competing: Catholic Boy 

Favorite international racing event: Royal Ascot

Courtesy Chris Fallica

Three ways to attract more fans to the sport: Less time between races; make handicapping materials less imposing; make the track a social place to be  

What do you drive for a car? Nissan Murano, but it’s almost time to do some car shopping. Anyone know someone who can get me a good deal on a Jaguar F-Pace?

What’s your favorite gym exercise? Getting a good sweat on the elliptical 

Who will win the Super Bowl this year? Rams look like they will be tough to beat if they can get and stay healthy. 

Esports: Yay or nay? Nay 

Favorite restaurant: Da Francesco (Rome), Sotto Sotto (Atlanta), Smoking Pig (Pendleton, S.C.), Thalami (Oia), L’Osteria di Giovanni (Florence), Kloof Street House (Cape Town, South Africa), Cafe Martorano (meatball salad, please), Five Guys, Chick-fil-A 

Last TV series you binge-watched was: “Game of Thrones.” Had to re-watch to kill time being there were no new episodes this year. I’m sure I’ll find something new once the season ends. 

College or pro football: Is this even up for debate?