TVG to Air Interview With Trainer Jeff Mullins

TVG will present an interview March 13 with Southern California-based trainer Jeff Mullins, who became embroiled in controversy resulting from a column written by T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.

The in-depth interview, which was conducted by TVG's Todd Schrupp at Mullins' home in Glendale, Calif., will air on "Trackside Live!: Bay Meadows," which airs beginning at 2 p.m. PT. It will be simulcast on Fox Sports Net 2.

Mullins was quoted by Simers March 6 as saying the problem with racing "are all the addicts and idiots crying because they lost a $2 bet." He also quoted Mullins as saying: "I train to win and that's all I care about. It's not my problem (if the general public is deceived). They ought to bring in slot machines, then we could run our horses and make a living without worrying about some crybaby calling the stewards and raising a fit."

Since the column appeared, Mullins has sought to give his side of the story, including contacting TVG about doing an interview.

"It's a very wide ranging interview," said Tony Allevato, TVG senior vice president and executive producer. "Jeff called us to say he wanted to get his side of the story on the record and in context and we were happy to get him in front of the camera. Jeff had a lot of interesting things to say, and went well beyond discussing the specifics of the Simers' column."

According to Allevato, who produced the interview, Mullins apologized to anyone he might have offended, but did not backtrack from some of the more controversial things Simers quoted him on. Mullins also spoke extensively about the subjects of "milkshaking," and "super trainers."