Hall of Fame Retired Jockey - Ramon Dominguez / Woodbine Jockey - Ryan Munger / Grand River Raceway Manager - Chad Rozema / In Case You Missed It

Ann and Larry interview Hall of Fame retired Jockey Ramon Dominguez, who talks about the recent Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and whether there was some special significance in watching two of his closest friends, Javier Castellano and Johnny Velazquez victorious in the Classic races. He also talks about the status of his Spanish YouTube program Exacta Box and discusses his 360GT Riding Crop and the success that it has enjoyed since its launch a couple of years back and what makes his riding crop different and safer than other crops. He also talks about a short Consulting role that he had with HISA (Horseracing Integrity Safety Alliance) and why he believes HISA was developed and mentions that he is also President of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.  Ramon also discusses his new passion for running and some of the success he has had in various 5K races to date. Woodbine Jockey Ryan Munger who discusses his decision to move his tack to Woodbine and whether it was a tough decision to make.  He also discusses some of the tracks that he has ridden at and whether it is difficult to adjust to riding on a European track (clockwise) to a North American one like Woodbine (counterclockwise).  He also mentions whether he will have to adjust to riding on the Woodbine Tapeta surface and if Woodbine’s two turf surfaces were an attraction for him to want to move to Canada. He also discusses his wife, who made the move to Canada as well with him and how she has a horse racing background as well and what he would like to accomplish in his first year of riding at Woodbine. Chad Rozema, Grand River Raceway Manager, who talks about the tracks season opener next Friday night and some of the special promotions happening that evening. Chad also discusses the history and importance of Industry Day to the Grand River season and mentions some of the other special promotions that the track will offer over the racing season that ends on September 27th. He also spends some time outlining the plans going forward to convert the ½ mile Grand River racing surface to a 5/8th’s mile racing surface and what are some of the advantages of a larger racetrack.  In our new feature, ‘ In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry  discusses the fact that Woodbine’s Turf Racing season is officially here, with three races being carded on the E P Taylor course at Woodbine and also talks about the announcement of the new National Thoroughbred League , a first-of-its-kind racing league that reimagines America’s oldest spectator sport by creating a team based professional sports league. He also mentions some of the prominent people already involved with the initiative and its opening schedule. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today.
 

Key Points:

Ramon discusses the recent Kentucky Derby and Preakness and why seeing Jockey’s Javier Castellano and Johnny Velazquez win the Classics events held a special significance for him. Ramon also talks about his 360GT Riding Crop and what are the major differences between it and other traditional riding crops and what the response has been from the North American horse industry. He also discusses his Spanish YouTube show Exacta Box and why it is no longer producing content and his consulting role with HISA (Horseracing Integrity Safety Alliance) and discusses why he believes the Alliance is good for the horse racing industry. He also discusses the fact that he has returned to Running and how Competitive Running has been a good adjustment from race riding and is also asked if he misses riding now. 

Ryan initially talks about the decision to ride this year at Woodbine and whether it was a difficult decision to make. Ryan also discusses some of the racetracks he has ridden at and if there are any major adjustments a Jockey must make when moving from a European track (racing clockwise) to a North American track like Woodbine that races counterclockwise and whether racing on Woodbine’s Tapeta surface will be a different experience for him. He also discusses the fact that his wife made the move to Canada with him and that she is also involved in the horse racing industry and talks about how he would sell himself to a potential Trainer, to secure a mount in an upcoming race and what are his goals this season at Woodbine as a Jockey. 

Chad discusses how waiting for Friday’s Opening Night of racing at Grand River could be compared to a child waiting for Santa Claus to come on Christmas Eve and talks about some of the events planned for next Friday evening. He also talks about the importance of Industry Day and its history which began at the now defunct Elmira Raceway and why it is a special day for fans and discusses some of the other special events planned for Grand River this racing season. Chad also spends some time talking about the build out at Grand River which will see the ½ mile racing surface converted to a 5/8th’s mile track over the next few months and what are the advantages to the racing fan of the bigger racetrack.