Grand River Raceway Manager - Chad Rozema / Woodbine Trainer - Steve Owens / Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, Ontario Division, General Manager and Board Member, Debra Ehrat

Ann and  Larry  interview Grand River Raceway’s, Raceway Manager Chad Rozema, who discusses the next two Monday racing cards at the track, which feature the eliminations  of the Battle of the Belles and the Battle of Waterloo Stakes and the Finals for both races  that will be  held on Industry Day next Monday afternoon. Chad also discusses why Industry Day is so important  to Grand River and mentions the days historic beginning at Elmira Raceway and also discusses some other upcoming  events dring the remaining race dates at the Elora Grand River racetrack, that will take place in August and September. Woodbine Trainer Steve Owens, who discusses his 2023 Woodbine season to date and what he thinks has attributed to this success. He also talks about how he operates both a racing and breeding business and the significance of a horse by the name of Head Chopper and also mentions a current three-year-old Pouin in OT, and the story behind the name. Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, Ontario Division, General Manager and Board Member, Debra Ehrat, who discusses their upcoming Yearling Sale to be held on August 30th and mentions how this was the same sale that Hall of Fame horse Pink Lloyd sold through several years back. Debra also talks about the mandate of the CTHS Ontario and discusses how a person can receive a catalog for the Yearling Sale and also walks the listener through what to look for if they plan on  attending  this years CTHS Yearling Sale. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry  discusses some of last weeks Thoroughbred Stakes races including the Haskell at Monmouth Park in New Jersey and the Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine, which are two key prep races for this years King’s Plate Stakes. Larry also  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Chad discusses the eliminations for the Battle of the Belles and the Battle of Waterloo this Monday night  and how the finals for both events will be held on August 7th  on the popular Industry Day. Chad also mentions the history behind Industry Day and why it is such an important day of racing and how it originally was introduced at the now closed Elmira Raceway. He also talks about the Marketing Crew at Grand River and the terrific job that they have done this year and whether he has  settled into his new position of Raceway Manager , earlier this year. Chad  also talks about the status of the buildout at Grand River Raceway, where the ½ mile track surface will be reconfigured into a 5/8th’s mile track and also when asked, talks about from a fans perspective, what was the greatest horse race that he ever watched race and how it still resonates today.

Steve originally talks about the current Woodbine race meet and what he attributes his early success to and mentions how when he first started in the horse racing business, why he wanted to be a jockey. He also talks about a $500 horse that allowed him to get his first win as a Trainer, with a win at Greenwood Racetrack and discusses how his horse operation is different from other Trainers, as besides having a racing operation , his also includes a breeding operation . Steve also talks about the importance of a horse by the name of Head Chopper and  also in addition, what’s the story behind his stakes winning three-year-old, Poulin In O T and what is the significicance  behind the name of the horse. 

Debra discusses how she was recently named General Manager of the CTHS Ontario and how she also is active on the Board.  She also talks about the upcoming Thoroughbred Yearling Sale , to be held on August 30th at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion with a 12 noon start and how the sale is also open to the general public. Debra also discusses how many yearlings are expected to be sold on August 30th and mentions that many people are not. Aware that this is the same sale that Hall of Fme Thoroughbred Pink Lioyd was sold through several years ago. Debra also talks about how people can receive a catalogue for the sale and if someone is interested, she  gives out some information in case any of our listeners would be interesged in buying a yearling or even part of one and how they can go about it. She also talks about the history of the CTHS and what their mandate is and how she became involved in the horse racing industry.