Meadowlands Marketing Manager - Rachel Ryan / Woodbine Entertainment’s Director of Thoroughbred Racing Tim Lawson / Steve Fitzsimmons - The New General Manager of the Maritime Harness Track - Truro Raceway

Ann and  Larry  interview Meadowlands Marketing Manager, Rachel Ryan, who discusses the terrific betting handles at the New Jersey racetrack so far in 2023 and what she believes has contributed to this steady increase. Rachel also talks about the upcoming stakes schedule at the Meadowlands which includes the classic events, the Meadowlands Pace and the historic Hambletonian and opens up about the impact sports betting has had on the Meadowlands racing product and how she became involved in the harness racing industry. Woodbine Entertainment’s Director of Thoroughbred Racing Tim Lawson, who talks about the upcoming Thoroughbred racing season which begins April 22nd and in particular the lucrative stakes schedule Woodbine will be hosting in 2023. Tim also discusses the route he took to where he is now with Woodbine, that included working at some racetracks in Western Canada  and also whether it is difficult beng employed by  a large corporation  that his father, Jim,  is the  CEO. Steve Fitzsimmons, the new General Manager of the Maritime harness track, Truro Raceway, who discusses his new role with the track and whether there are any similarities to his former position with Hanover Raceway, in Ontario. Steve also talks about  some of the new inititatives in place at Truro, in order to help revive interest in the track including introducing a Pick 5 wager with the lowest takeout in Canada and the build out of a new Grandstand.  Larry  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Rachel talks about the increase in betting handle at the Meadowlands since the Winter meeting began in January and discusses what she believes has attributed to this overall increase. She also discusses the upcoming Spring/Summer stakes schedule at the  Meadowlands including the Cutler, The Meadowlands Pace and the Hambletonian. Rachel also talks about how growing up, she was always involved with horses and then, how she began her career working on the Thoroughbred side and what contributed to her wanting to work on the harness side and at the Meadowlands.  Finally, Rachel discusses  whether sports betting in New Jersey has brought an upsurge in horse racing bettors to the Meadowlands  and what her current role at the track entails. Tim, initially talks about the upcoming Thoroughbred season and what the activity on the backstretch is like currently. He also discusses thoroughly the 2023 stakes schedule at Woodbine and highlights some of the major races and also talks about the path that he took to where he is now Woodbine’s Director of Thoroughbred Racing, a route  that included stops at several racetracks in the U.S.  and Western Canada. He also discusses how he was introduced through family ties to horse racing at an early age and finally,  he is asked about  working for a corporation that his father, Jim, is CEO  and whether there is any extra pressure on him. Steve  discusses his current position at  Truro Raceway as General Manager and whether there are any similarities to his former role at Hanover Raceway. He adds that currently the Truro track is working on several initiatives to help increase fan and wagering support, including launching a Pick 5 wager with the lowest takeout in Canada, when the track opens for business in May. Steve also discusses the current build out of the Truro Grandstand and how far along it will be when the track opens and how he would like to take some of the marketing and charity ideas he implemented at Hanover and duplicate them at Truro Raceway. Steve also mentions how there are great similarities between Truro and Hanover and discusses about  how he got involved in harness racing at a young age through his father.