Meadowlands Marketing Coordinator and Online Talent Jessica Otten / Woodbine Trainer Bill Tharrenos / Tony Elliott - Woodbine Marketing Manager, Racing & Wagering

Ann and  Larry  interview the Meadowlands Marketing Coordinator and Online Talent Jessica Otten, who discusses the reasons behind the great wagering numbers during the first few weeks of racing at the New Jersey track for their Winter meet. She also talks about her family ties to the harness racing industry that has accounted for her passion for the sport and has led to her broadcasting career that has included an on-site host position with Fox Sports and their coverage of harness racing. She also gives a handicapping selection on a race at the Meadowlands tonight. Woodbine Trainer Bill Tharrenos, who from a limited amount of starters at Gulfstream Park this Winter, has saddled 26% winners and a 43% in the money success rate and he discusses what has helped contribute to this early success. Bill also talks about how he ended up training Thoroughbreds as a career and also the upcoming Woodbine Thoroughbred season and how many horses he anticipates starting the year with. He also mentions a race that he would still like to win during his career. Tony Elliott, Woodbine Marketing Manager, Racing & Wagering, who discusses his new role and the difference between working at a small track like Western Fair Raceway in London, to Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park. Tony also discusses the significant betting handles at Woodbine Mohawk Park lately and what he believes has accounted for these attractive numbers and his roots that led to the interest in horse racing. Finally, he discusses how Woodbine Entertainment will be focusing on attracting new bettors and fans this year.  Larry  provides some information in the Intro about a potential snow event at Santa Anita Racetrack in California over the weekend and then later in the show offers  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Jessica talks about the tremendous betting numbers at the Meadowlands, which have been aided by the horsemen, track management, race field size and competitive fields. She also discusses her path to becoming  The Meadowlands Marketing Coordinator which included assisting her Father who was a Standardbred Trainer and raced on both sides of the Border. Jessica also talks about how she landed the role as an on-site host for Fox Sports and their coverage of major harness races  and also lists a number of Standardbreds that she watched last year, that she is looking forward to watch them race again this year. Jessica also mentions her favorite racetrack other than the Meadowlands and why and finally, handicaps the second race on the Meadowlands card tonight. Bill talks about his career as a Trainer and why he believes he has had  the early success at the Gulfstream Park meet this winter. He also discusses  the importance of racing horses in a class where they belong and why he races in Florida in the Winter months. He also talks about racing at Woodbine and that  the 2022 was his best year ever and gives an indication of  what his plans are for the 2023 Woodbine season, with the backstretch having just opened this week. Tony discusses his new role as Woodbine’s Marketing Manager, Racing & Wagering and how he originally became engaged into Standardbred racing at an early age through his family ties. He also talks about the excellent wagering numbers at Woodbine Mohawk Park and the major differences between working at tracks like Clinton and Western Fair, to his role now with Woodbine Entertainment.  Tony also mentions a race that he is most looking forward to watching this year and whether being from the Standardbred side of the business, will necessitate a learning curve for him in order to bring him up to speed on Thoroughbred racing in his new position.  Tony shares a horse that he believes helped to attract him to horse racing growing up and finally, he discusses  how critical it is to attract new fans and bettors into horse racing and how going forward, this will be a top priority  to Woodbine.