Jockey Chantal Sutherland / Woodbine Jockey Sophia Vives / Scott Price - General Manager Hanover Raceway

Ann and Larry interview Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who talks about the recent racing injury that she suffered and the various forms of rehab that she is undergoing. She also discusses the new National Thoroughbred League and the projected role that she will play a part in and why the Thoroughbred industry in general needs an initiative like the league. Chantal also mentions whether there may be a chance that she may return to Canada to ride full time and talks about why she is currently in the process of taking a Real Estate Course in Florida.  Woodbine Jockey Sophia Vives, who discusses her decision to ride again at Woodbine after a short campaign here last season and talks about  the important role that Trainer Mark Casse  has played  in the launch of her riding career. Sophia also discusses whether she has set any goals for herself for the 2023 racing season and also talks about riding on the Woodbine Turf Course for the first time this year and whether there is any major difference between riding on Turf  instead of Tapeta. Scott Price, Hanover Raceway’s General Manager,  who talks about the tracks season opener at 1:30 p.m. today and some of the special promotions happening this season, including a very special day on July 15th when they celebrate ‘Harness The Hope’, to support Breast Cancer. Scott also discusses why the Hanover track is so well respected throughout the years by harness racing fans. 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 2022’s Canadian Horse of the Year Moira, begins her 2023 racing campaign today at Woodbine in the Belle Mahone Stakes and the fact that this will be Moira’s first race as a four-year-old mare. He also talks about tonight’s Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Standardbred card and the Grand Circuit stakes race that help to make up the card. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Chantal discusses her recent riding injury and the various forms of rehab that she will be going through to speed up the recovery process. Chantal also talks about the new National Thoroughbred League and how she became involved in its ‘roll out’ later this year and why she believes that the initiative is great for Thoroughbred horse racing and how it is very similar to a movie series that she was once part of called ‘Jockey’, as both were a way of enticing a newer fan base into horse racing. Chantal also discusses why she is currently taking a Real Estate Course in Florida and whether she sees a time in the future where she may move back to Canada and adds some thoughts on the newly formed HISA (Horseracing Integrity Safety Alliance). 

Sophia initially talks about the decision to ride again this year at Woodbine after a short and successful campaign in 2022 and the important role that Trainer Mark Casse has played in her career to date. Sophia also discusses whether she has set any riding goals this season and how her career is a seven day a week job now and she outlines what her weekly schedule is like. Sophia also discusses riding at Woodbine and whether there are any major differences between racing on the Tapeta surface and the two Woodbine Turf Courses and whether she is competing with more confidence this season. Sophia also mentions a Jockey that she grew up watching and why she likes their riding style. 

Scott discusses Hanover Raceway’s Opening Day of racing today and some of the events and food options that will be available and why the track has such a long history of fan support. He also mentions that Hanover race fans are very passionate about the racetrack and why they exude this passion and talks about some of the major event’s days planned for the 2023 season which includes the annual ‘Harness the Hope’ Day to support Breast Cancer on July 15th. Scott also spends some time talking about his background and how he was not part of the horse racing industry growing up, but the Hanover track was a special place for a race fan like himself and mentions about some of the other special days of racing including Balanced Image and Dream of Glory Stakes days.