Jockey Flo Geroux / Jockey Vernon Bush / Woodbine Mohawk Park Handicapper Garnet Barnsdale /

Ann and Larry interview leading Jockey Flo Geroux, who discusses Cyberknife’s disappointing race in the Pegasus Stakes at Gulfstream Park last month and what may have been some of the contributing factors to this lacklustre performance. He also talks about a couple of his stakes mounts today at Fair Grounds that include the Risen Star Stakes and the Rachel Alexandra and he is also asked to comment on the recent news that the Chicago Bears Football Team has purchased the property that is the site of the now closed Arlington Park Racetrack, where he rode on a regular basis and the difference in riding styles in North American racing, compared to that of Europe.  Jockey Vernon Bush, who has ridden over 25,000 races in his career and won over 3,200 of them and at 61 years old, he is the the midst of a comeback, after being off for several years. He also discusses the importance of winning the Randy Romero Pure Courage Award given to the Jockey that has overcome injuries or adversities in order to ride again and what the award means to him because of the respect he has for the former jockey that the award is named after. Vernon also talks about the effort that was needed to get himself back into riding shape after being off for four years and rehabilitating from a broken femur and ankle. Woodbine Mohawk Park Handicapper Garnet Barnsdale, who discusses the past Mohawk Season, including the impression left by Bulldog Hanover and talks about some of the major stakes events to  be held at the track later this year. Garnet also reflects back to how it was Greenwood Racetrack in Downtown Toronto that piqued his interest in harness racing and that there was a special horse that in his opinion was the best one ever. Finally, he discusses tonight’s card at Woodbine Mohawk Park and gives a couple of betting plays. Larry provides some information in the Intro about the fire at Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa. ON, this past Wednesday night and then later in the show offers his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today.

Key points:

Flo talks about how Cyberknife’s race in the Pegasus Stakes was a disappointment and what may have been some of the contributing factors. He also discusses two horses that he is riding at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans today, Tapit’s Conquest in the Risen Star and Chop Chop in the Rachel Alexandra and why he considers the Fair Grounds dirt track to be one of the best to race over. Flo also talks about how the recent purchase of the now closed Arlington Park to the Chicago Bears Football Team is so sad, especially as this was a racetrack that he rode regularly at, earlier in his career. Finally, Flo mentions a race that has continued to allude him that he would like to win and the largest difference in riding styles in North America and Europe.
Vernon talks about his career as a Jockey and why he is in the midst of a comeback at 61 years old. He also discusses winning the Randy Romero Pure Courage Award and the special meaning that the award has for him and also mentions some of the highlights of his riding career which has saw him win 3,247 races from over 25,000 mounts. Finally, he talks about the support that he has continued to receive from his family throughout his racing career and the steps he has had to take to get himself back into ‘riding fit’ weight wise.
Garnet discusses how he became involved in Standardbred racing at an early age through his Father, who would take him regularly to Greenwood Raceway in Downtown Toronto. He also talks about the last season success of Woodbine Mohawk Park which included many record betting handles and superb performances by Bulldog Hanover and outlines some of the major stakes races upcoming in 2023. Garnet also discusses why he believes Mohawk is a great place to enjoy a night of harness racing and relays a story about a special Standardbred that he watched race in his entire career and why in his opinion this horse was probably the best that he ever saw race. Finally, he supplies a couple of possible betting opportunities at Woodbine Mohawk Park tonight.