Melissa Grelo / Woodbine Mohawk Park Driver Chris Christoforou / Woodbine Jockey Amanda Vandermeersch / In Case You Missed It / Kentucky Derby Party at Woodbine

Ann and  Larry interview media celebrity and co-host of ‘The Social’ Melissa Grelo, who discusses her love for horses and why she has been so passionate since she was a young child. Melissa also discusses balancing her media career with the family business of horses and how she has been involved with horses her entire life  and why horses have always kept her grounded, which she believes has helped in her media career. Melissa also talks about having the opportunity  to be part of the  2016 Queen’s Plate, when she and her co-hosts from the television show, ‘The Social’ , hosted the ‘Hats and Horseshoes’ event at Woodbine on Queen’s Plate Day. Woodbine Mohawk Park Driver Chris Christoforou, who discusses his first reaction when he was informed that he was part of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.  Chris also talks about his career as a Driver and some of the highlights and if there is still a race that he hasn’t won but he is still hoping that he will have the opportunity to do so before he retires. He  also discusses a couple of Drivers that he watched when he was first breaking into the business and talks about a few of the current ones at Woodbine Mohawk Park, who he believes are multi-talented. Chris also talks about when he started out in 1990 and whether he forsaw the successful driving career that he has had to date. Woodbine Jockey Amanda Vandermeersch, who discusses what it was like to win the first Thoroughbred race of 2023 at Woodbine and how did the win rank on the ‘thrill chart’. Amanda  also talks about the road to becoming a Jockey and how she originally started in the Hunter/Jumper disciplines and discusses whether  she believes  that Female Jockeys are continued to be  treated differently. Amanda also outlines her plans for riding in 2023.  In our new feature, ‘ In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry and Ann discuss the upcoming Coronation and the role that the RCMP and their horses will play during the event and also discuss how Secretariat although knocked as a prolific Stallion, when you look at the pedigrees of this year’s Kentucky Derby contenders, their pedigrees all trace back to two stallions, Mr. Prospector and Secretariat. Finally, Larry and Ann talk about next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Party at Woodbine and how listeners can buy tickets. Larry also  provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Melissa discusses how horses have always been a part of her life , as her father was a Trainer and she grew up on a farm where she would help with the horses. She also talks about why she has always had an attraction to horses and how she also rode  and why she believes that horses  have continued to help keep her grounded,  especially in her media career.  Melissa also reflects back on the Queen’s Plate and how her show ‘The Social’ hosted the ‘Hats and Horseshoes’ event during the day’s festivities  and how it was such a thrill to be part of such a significant day in horse racing and also talks about the importance of changing the name to the  King’s Plate this year.

Chris, initially talks about how he found out that he had been elected to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 and whether he was surprised by the honor. He also discusses winning the Little Brown Jug and a Breeders Crown event and whether there is a race that he would still like to win before he retires. Chris also talks about when he first started out as a Driver and how there were two Drivers that he would watch and try to take part of each ones driving technique and mold it into his own style. Chris also discusses the current Driving Colony at Woodbine Mohawk Park and some of the Drivers that he believe are multi – talented  and as far as his own career is concerned, whether he feels he drives less aggressively now then he did several years ago. Finally, Chris talks about whether there will be a major celebration the night of the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

Amanda, first talks about the win in the first race on Woodbine’s Opening Day and whether she was surprised by the victory and how it ranked on the ‘thrill chart’. She also mentions how she originally was in the Hunter/Jumper discipline, hence the late start to becoming a Jockey and talks about whether it is still difficult  to get recognition as a Female Jockey.  Amanda also mentions a couple of Jockeys who have helped her in her career to date and what her plans are for the remainder of the 2023 racing season and also  whether she has any career goals going forward.