The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Local Hour: Greg Kills His Horse
Date: February 25, 2026
Episode Overview
Broadcasting from downtown Miami’s Elser Hotel, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew serve up their signature blend of sports banter, pop-culture chat, local flavor, and quick-witted debate. This "Local Hour" opens with Heat despair, sports heartbreaks, and the fallout from Greg Cody’s horse's ill-fated race. Expect plenty of Miami sports talk, memorable Vegas tales, and a poignant discussion of South Florida’s sports icons, all packaged with trademark sarcasm and self-deprecation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Miami Heat Letdown & NBA Cynicism
- Heat lose to Milwaukee, sparking frustration:
- Stugotz vents about perpetual mediocrity and a wasted chance for optimism.
- Greg Cody and Roy break down the defensive collapse and missed opportunities.
- “I'm just reminded how completely average this team is. Like, that was, like, that was frustrating last night, right?” — Stugotz (00:38)
- Bucks’ quality debated:
- The panel disputes whether the Bucks “suck” or are just playing well at the right time, highlighting how losses sting when the opponent is seen as inferior.
- Fans’ emotional whiplash:
- Commentary on fans getting too hyped after a few wins, only to be disappointed again.
Podcasting Practices: Listening Back & Getting Better
- Dan’s ritual of listening to his own podcast:
- Reveals he listens on 1.5x speed, first as a listener for enjoyment, then as a critic.
- "The reason is the first time I listen... I try to listen as a listener. ...The next day I listen to it critically." — Dan Le Batard (05:01)
- Audio woes at Gulfstream Park:
- Dan recounts audio problems (wind noise) during a recent episode, exposing behind-the-scenes challenges.
Greg’s Racing Disaster: The Saga of the Horse
- Greg’s horse finishes last and the dark humor follows:
- Panel riffs on the fate of racehorses and the industry’s grim jargon (“destroyed the horse”).
- “So what happens now? You put it down? What happens?” — Stugotz (07:44)
- “Well, the problem was, we learn after the fact that there was a physical excuse.” — Dan Le Batard (07:57)
- The story leads to jokes about putting a horse’s head in Greg’s bed, but also a real explanation: The filly crashed into the gate at the start, was underprepared, and there was an injury.
- Roy’s traumatic horse story:
- Roy describes a Dominican Republic childhood mishap, nearly going over a cliff on a runaway horse named El Diablo, “the devil.”
- “This horse starts going like we're in the Kentucky Derby... we're getting to the cliff.” — Roy (11:08)
- Sid’s childhood horse party story offers a wholesome contrast.
Vegas Sphere Review & Band Name Pedantry
- Dan’s Vegas adventure with The Eagles at The Sphere:
- Raves about the immersive visuals and sound, admits previous skepticism was misguided.
- “The presentation they do is almost ineffably astounding… astoundingly real.” — Dan Le Batard (20:27)
- Debates over whether the band name is “Eagles” or “The Eagles,” weaving in classic rock trivia (Talking Heads, Foo Fighters, The Beatles).
- Sid brands Eagles the “ultimate system band”—songs that flourish in the right time and place, like a California sunset.
Elevating South Florida Sports Heroes & Community Impact
- Alexander Barkov’s philanthropy:
- Stugotz calls for Barkov to get the respect of local legends (Marino, Wade), especially after his million-dollar-plus donation to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
- “It takes a special kind of dude...to devote their free time to being around and trying to make a great day for sick children.” — Stugotz (25:28)
- Greg adds that Barkov is deeply present and genuine in his interactions with young patients.
- Sid and the crew reflect on what true courage and heroism looks like outside the arena, extending praise to Greg’s own work at Camp Fiesta.
Who Are Miami’s Core Sports Icons?
- Mount Rushmore debate:
- Wade and Marino are “baked in” as Miami sports faces, but Barkov’s “athletic deed” and community presence could put him next in line.
- “Especially now. It's not a niche sport anymore... Hockey has fully... arrived.” — Dan Le Batard (32:27)
- Miami’s sports "market size" and history:
- Conversation about Miami’s late emergence as a legitimate major sports city, compared to other markets.
The Heartbreak (and Value) of Chasing Sports Moments
- Dolphins malaise and definition of success:
- The Dolphins become a metaphor for storied franchises fallen on hard times, compared to the Knicks and Niners.
- “We're one of the most storied franchises in pro football…and people hold you up…but they haven't done nothing for this millennium.” — Sid (36:02)
- Panel agrees: It’s the moments that matter, even heartbreaks and close calls, not just championships.
- “I want the moments… The moments to me are just as good as winning the championship. And the Dolphins—I haven't had a moment...since the Lamar Smith game.” — Stugotz (38:21)
- Canes moments and the pain of expectations:
- Roy highlights key UM football plays, Greg admits those moments risk turning hollow if not followed by ongoing success.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Miami Heat disappointment:
- “I'm just reminded how completely average this team is. That was frustrating last night, right?” — Stugotz (00:38)
- On listening to yourself:
- “The first time I listen to it back, I try to listen as a listener… Is it funny? Is it good? …And then the next day I listen to it critically.” — Dan Le Batard (05:01)
- On racehorses and fate:
- “...when a thoroughbred gets put down, they say, we destroyed the horse.” — Stugotz/Sid (08:11)
- “The problem with racehorses is they're very fragile. They're extremely fragile. More so than human athletes.” — Dan Le Batard (08:40)
- Roy’s horse near-death story:
- “This horse starts going like we're in the Kentucky Derby... we're getting to the cliff.” — Roy (11:08)
- “Come to find out, his name was El Diablo, which means the devil.” — Roy (13:02)
- Dan on The Sphere:
- “The presentation that they do is almost ineffably astounding...astoundingly real.” — Dan Le Batard (20:27)
- System bands and American icons:
- “[Eagles are] the ultimate system band… optimal song you could be playing in that environment.” — Sid (22:13)
- Stugotz on Barkov:
- “It takes a really special type of dude, all right, to devote their free time to being around and trying to make a great day for sick children.” — Stugotz (25:28)
- On the misery of Dolphins fandom and the value of moments:
- “We are the New York Knicks.” — Dave (36:50)
- “It isn't just about winning the championships anymore. I want the moments. The moments to me are just as good as winning the championship.” — Stugotz (38:21)
Important Segments & Timestamps
- 00:38 — Breakdown of the Miami Heat’s loss and the team’s averageness.
- 05:01 — Dan discusses his method of listening back to his own podcast for improvement.
- 07:15 — Greg Cody’s horse racing disaster and the dark humor about “destroying” the horse.
- 10:20 — Roy’s harrowing tale of almost dying on a runaway horse at 13.
- 18:35 — Dan’s and Greg’s Vegas trip recap, including their experience at The Sphere.
- 20:27 — Dan’s detailed, vivid review of the Eagles’ presentation at The Sphere.
- 25:28 — Stugotz spotlights Alexander Barkov’s philanthropy and community contributions.
- 32:18 — The show's Mount Rushmore: Should Barkov stand alongside Marino and Wade?
- 34:01 — Discussion on Miami’s market, sports history, and arrival as a “major” city.
- 36:02 — Are the Dolphins just the Knicks or Niners—one-time NFL kings now adrift?
- 38:21 — What makes being a fan worthwhile? Stugotz’s powerful case for "the moments" over titles.
Tone & Style
The episode continues Dan Le Batard and crew’s tradition of blending sharp sports analysis with rapid-fire wit, self-effacing humor, and a knowing sense of South Florida community. They oscillate between earnest praise (Barkov, charity work), world-weary fandom (Heat, Dolphins, Canes), and meta-commentary about media, music, and what it means to be a sports fan—always with playful jabs and no one taking themselves too seriously.
Summary Takeaway
This Local Hour embodies the Le Batard Show’s best: local sports gripes, existential sports questions, weird side stories (runaway devil horses), and an earnest appreciation for the athletes and moments that make Miami special—despite all the heartbreak. Whether lambasting the Dolphins’ futility or getting surprisingly deep about community, it’s a characteristically rich episode for both new listeners and long-suffering South Florida sports fans.