Larry and Ann are joined by John Campbell, The Hambletonian Society’s President and CEO, who discusses tonight’s Breeders Crown Championship Harness Racing card at the Meadowlands and what he feels are some of the most interesting matchups in some of the races. John also discusses Trainer the late Bob McIntosh and the special bond that he had with him and mentions why he believes that so many successful horsemen like himself and Bob McIntosh learned the business in Southwest Ontario. HBPA Ontari...
Oct 26, 2024•59 min•Ep. 214
Larry and Ann, are joined by Woodbine’s Executive Vice President Brand and Experience, David Vivenes, who talks about the many initiatives that he and his team have worked on over the past year, which have resulted in many new ‘spaces’ within Woodbine and how they have become great places to enjoy the races from. David also talks about his background and how he became part of the Woodbine team and mentions a sport that has taken the art of presentation and production to the next level. Woodbine ...
Oct 19, 2024•58 min•Ep. 213
Larry and Ann are joined by Ontario Racing’s Executive Director Gord Thain, who discusses in depth tonight’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park and mentions who some of the top horses to watch are in the stake’s events. Gord also talks about the role Ontario Racing plays as Administrator of the Ontario Sires Stakes program and discusses Ontario Racing’s very successful ‘Unfiltered’ series and what he accounts the series success to. Ajax Down’s General Manager Operations, Em...
Oct 12, 2024•59 min•Ep. 212
Larry and Ann are joined by Kurt Becker, Keeneland Racetrack Announcer who discusses opening weekend at the track and in particular today’s stakes filled card that includes several Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In races. He also discusses the hiring process which would make him the first ever Track Announcer at Keeneland and describes his first day on the job. He also breaks down the $1.25 Million Coolmore Turf Mile for the listeners. Jockey Mike Smith, who discusses last weeks two stakes wins at...
Oct 05, 2024•59 min•Ep. 211
Larry and Ann are joined by Chris Lush, Woodbine’s Executive Vice President, Technology and Core Wagering, who updates the listeners on the various technology initiatives that he is currently immersed in, including furthering the reach of Sports Betting. He also discusses Woodbine’s own product Dark Horse and some of the changes that have been made to the betting product and also provides an update on the status of Historical Horse Racing and where Woodbine is at in getting the betting initiativ...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 210
Larry and Ann, are joined by Jessica Paquette, Racetrack Announcer for PARX Racing, who is preparing to call a stakes filled card at the Pennsylvania racetrack, which includes two $1 Million races, the Cotillion for Fillies and the Pennsylvania Derby, which could see the winners of both in Breeders’ Cup races in early November. Jessica breaks down the two races for us and talks about what it was like to be the first and only full time female race caller in the United States when PARX hired her. ...
Sep 21, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 209
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine Trainer Nathan Squires, who is readying his Cairo Caper for today’s bet365 Summer Stakes, a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In stakes event. Nathan discusses how he has trained Cairo Caper up to today’s race and what the plans are for the horse for the remainder of the season. Nathan also talks about how he got his start in Thoroughbred racing and if there was someone in particular that assisted him in becoming a Trainer and whether Cairo Caper can be considered...
Sep 14, 2024•57 min•Ep. 208
Larry and Ann are joined by Harness Driver Scott Zeron, who returned home to Woodbine Mohawk Park last Saturday evening and won two prominent stakes races, the Maple Leaf Trot, and the Canadian Pacing Derby. Scott talks about the two wins and the two horses that he sat behind and whether he was surprised that they both were victorious. He also discusses his career season in 2023, which saw him drive the winners of over $10 Million in purses and four major stakes event and whether he set any goal...
Sep 07, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 207
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard, who discusses his filly, Caitlinhergrtness, winner of last week’s King’s Plate and what his plans are for her going forward, for the rest of this season. Kevin also talks about how Caitlinhergrtness compares to his Plate winning filly Moira and mentions his other Plate entrants and whether he was pleased with the way they raced. Kevin also talks about the plans for Moira this season and discusses the recent CTHS Premier Yearling Sale and...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 206
Larry and Ann are joined by the ‘Ubercapper,’ handicapper Ellis Starr, who discusses whether handicapping horses is an art or a science. He also talks about some angles that he has developed to help him with his own handicapping and then breaks down the four stakes’ races at Saratoga today that include the Travers, the Ballerina, the Forgo and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Ellis also discusses where the interest in horse racing and in particular handicapping piqued from. David Anderson, who is ...
Aug 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 205
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine’s Executive Chair Jim Lawson, who discusses the King’s Plate, including who he likes to win the $1 Million race. Jim also talks about how long he has been at Woodbine and how many King’s or Queen’s Plates he has watched over the years and whether there was a favorite one and why. He also discusses his new role at Woodbine, as Executive Chair and whether he feels that he has settled into the position now and does he miss his former position of CEO. HBPA’s Pres...
Aug 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 204
Larry and Ann are joined by Francisco Martinez, an Apprentice Jockey who just won his first race as a rider last week at Monmouth Park and at 30-years-old and discusses how he felt winning his first race and that he actually also won the next race on the card to complete the Daily Double. Francisco also discusses why it took awhile to become a Jockey and the steps he took to get to where he is today. He also mentions a couple of people who have helped him along over the years and pushed him to b...
Aug 10, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 203
Today Larry and Ann are joined by Jason Settlemoir, The Meadowlands Chief Operating Officer/General Manager, who discusses in depth todays $1 Million Hambletonian Stakes for three-year-old trotters, some of the horses entered and who he believes has a good chance of winning the stakes event. Jason also breaks down some of the other 14 stakes events on the afternoon card at the New Jersey racetrack this afternoon and also mentions about his two New York racetracks that he oversees, Vernon Downs a...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 202
Larry and Ann are joined by Tony Bitonti, Director Media Relations at Ontario Lottery and Gaming, who discusses in depth the popular recent release of the docuseries ‘Ontario Racing Unfiltered,’ an initiative that was produced through a partnership between OLG and Ontario Racing. Tony explains why the produced docuseries is billed as ‘Horse Racing Like You Have Never Seen It Before ‘ and why it was a success in its first season. Nancy LaSala, President of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (P...
Jul 27, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 201
Larry and Ann are joined by Brian Skirka, Monmouth Park’s Marketing Manager, who discusses todays $ 1 Million Haskell Stakes for three-year-old's and who he believes are some of the logical contenders to win the race. He also discusses the track itself and why it is doing a good job in attracting new fans and how he became part of Monmouth Park and some of the major promotions and initiatives he has had the opportunity to work on during his time there. Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard,, who talks a...
Jul 20, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 200
Larry and Ann are joined by Rachel Ryan, Director of Marketing and Event Operations for the Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, who discusses tonight’s stakes filled card and in particular the running of the $650,000 Meadowlands Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings. She also discusses the other signature race for the Meadowlands, the Hambletonian that will be raced on closing day, August 3rd and mentions the history behind this trotting event and talks about whether the 2024 race meet ha...
Jul 13, 2024•58 min•Ep. 199
Larry and Ann are joined by Ellen Downey, CEO and Creator of Tuff Therapeutic Riding Foundation, who discusses the mandate for the Foundation and why she set up the program initially. She also discusses how some of the horses that she uses for the therapy are former horses with the RCMP’s Musical Ride and talks about how ‘Tuff’ is partially funded through the ‘Woodbine Cares’ initiative and what would be a typical day for the youths that attend the program. Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Steve Fl...
Jul 06, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 198
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, who discusses her quest to eclipse Hall of Fame Jockey Julie Krone’s record for the all-time purse earnings by a female jockey and how far she is from breaking the record. Emma-Jayne also discusses whether she has spoken to Julie Krone recently, since she found out how close she was to breaking the record and also talks about her own career and some of the highlights in this her twentieth year as a Jockey. Woodbine Mohawk Park, Drive...
Jun 29, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 197
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine Entertainment’s Monte McNaughton, who discusses Woodbine’s new initiative ‘Helmets to Hardhats Canada’ that will be recognized as the official Building Trades Liaison of the 165th Running of the King’s Plate. Monte also talks about how he has settled into his role as Executive Vice President, Industry Relations and People Experience and what the role entails. Woodbine Apprentice Jockey Pietro Moran, who discusses his young career to date which included winnin...
Jun 22, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 196
Larry and Ann are joined by Harness Driver Jody Jamieson, who discusses tonight’s Pepsi North America Cup, and particularly his horse Captains Quarters, who was a winner of one of the eliminations for the race last Saturday. He also discusses his career and first win and what he wanted as a career instead of a Harness Driver. Woodbine’s Manager, Racing and Brand Content Alanna Nolan, who discusses a recent ‘Hashtag Sports Award’ for a Docuseries entitled ‘Woodbine: Free Rein’ in the category of ...
Jun 15, 2024•56 min•Ep. 195
Larry and Ann are joined by Ontario Racing’s Independent Chair Andrew Gaughan, who discusses his role as Independent Chair which he has held since November 2022 and whether the job is what he expected when he signed on, or whether there have been any surprises. He also talks about the assistance he has received from his predecessor John Hayes and another colleague, Jamie Martin, who has been a major help to him settling in. Andrew also talks about his prior experience to becoming Independent Cha...
Jun 08, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 194
Larry and Ann are joined by the newest member of the Woodbine Jockey Colony, Soufiane Saadi, who arrives fresh from winning the 2024 Grade 1 Bahrain Gold Cup and discusses why he made the move to Woodbine and whether riding here where the horses race counterclockwise is a concern for him. He also talks about some of the places that he has ridden at and whether the Woodbine Tapeta surface will pose any challenges for him and mentions what he knew about Woodbine in general before he arrived. He al...
Jun 01, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 193
Larry and Ann are joined by Woodbine Executive Chair Jim Lawson, who discusses the planned ‘International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities Global Summit on Equine Safety and Equine Welfare,’ which will be hosted by Woodbine Entertainment from June 12th until the 14th. Jim also discusses the importance of having such a conference that promotes the safety and welfare for the equine athletes and discusses his new role as Executive Chair and what it entails. He also shares whether he is satisf...
May 25, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 192
Larry and Ann are joined by Trainer Kenny McPeek, who recently won the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on the same weekend and who talks about his horse Mystik Dan, who won the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago and is favored today to win the Preakness Stakes. Kenny also discusses in quite detail the path to becoming a Trainer and his various career choices before and mentions when did he know that Mystik Dan was a special type of horse. He also discusses Jockey Brian Hernandez and why he believes t...
May 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 191
Larry and Ann are joined by Trainer Mark Casse, who recently won his 16th Sovereign Award for leading Trainer in Canada, and he discusses what it means to be recognized with this award and what he attributes its success to. He also discusses his two racing companies, one in Canada and the other in the United States and how his wife Tina plays a significant role in running both with him and discusses in depth his stable at Woodbine and some of the major stakes races he is pointing to this summer....
May 11, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 190
Larry and Ann are joined by Rocket Ship Racing’s Brook Smith, who is also part owner of Sierra Leone, and he discusses todays Kentucky Derby and how he became part of the ownership group behind the horse. He also discusses the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs and mentions how he became so involved in the horse racing industry initially. Woodbine, CEO Michael Copeland, who discusses Opening Day at Woodbine last weekend including the official reopening of the Woodbine Community Garden t...
May 04, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 189
Larry and Ann are joined by Kelly Tyson, Woodbine’s Director Marketing, Events and Experience, who talks about todays Opening Day at Woodbine and what visitors can expect to see during the afternoon. She also discusses next weeks Kentucky Derby Party at Woodbine and mentions a special announcement regarding this year’s King’s Plate. Still at Woodbine, Track Announcer Robert Geller joins the show and talks about how as a race caller, he prepares for today’s opening card of racing. Robert also tal...
Apr 27, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 188
Larry and Ann are joined by Thoroughbred Owner Harry Veruchi, who talks about his horse West Saratoga, who is a projected starter for the Kentucky Derby on May 4th and how he was bought for just $11,000 at a Yearling Sale. Harry also discusses the interesting sidebars that exist with West Saratoga, including the constant battle that the horse’s Trainer has been having with Cancer and a Jockey, who was considering retirement at the end of last season. He also mentions where the interest in Thorou...
Apr 20, 2024•59 min•Ep. 187
Larry and Ann are joined by Keeneland’s Vice President of Equine Safety, Dr. Stuart Brown, who talks about the StrideSAFE program that uses sensors to help analyze the gait of a horse and can then find any early signs of any problems that may arise. Dr. Brown also talks about whether there was any resistance from the riders with StrideSAFE and discusses where his passion for horses was born and the story behind how he became involved with the Keeneland organization. Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard...
Apr 13, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 186
Ann and Larry are joined by Keeneland’s Track Announcer Kurt Becker, who talks about the Blue Grass Stakes and why it is an important race on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Kurt also talks about the field for today’s race and who he believes has the best chance of winning and talks about the history of the Blue Grass and where it all began, He also mentions some Canadian content that played an important part to the history of the Blue Grass. The New York Racing Association’s Director, Communica...
Apr 06, 2024•57 min•Ep. 185
