Ann and Larry talk with Monique Vág, part of the Woodbine Broadcasting Team who discusses tomorrows 84th Edition of the Canadian International and breaks the field down and some of the possible win candidates. Monique also discusses one of the undercard races, the E.P. Taylor Stakes and in particular one of the race favorites, Moira and talks about how she has worked on both the Standardbred and Thoroughbred side of the racing industry and which breed is more challenging to handicap. Keeneland Racecourse Announcer Curt Becker, who discusses todays Keeneland card of racing and also how he became the track’s first announcer in many decades. He also talks about some of the Breeders’ Cup races that he has had the opportunity to call, with some on National television and why Canada has played a major part in the history of Thoroughbred horse racing at Keeneland. Woodbine Mohawk Park ‘s Racing Secretary Tony O’Sullivan, who discusses the Jimmy Freight Stakes and how it is very different from most other stakes event’s and where did the idea for the race stem from. Tony also mentions why he left a successful training career to become Racing Secretary and discusses Woodbine Mohawk Park’s recently completed Grand Circuit Stakes schedule and whether it was an overall success or not this year. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look at The Way It Was in Horse Racing News, Larry discusses last Sunday’s Breeders Stakes at Woodbine and how both he and Woodbine Announcer Robert Geller, discussed the race winner, Touch N Ride in depth during last weeks interview segment. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks.
Key Points:
Monique discusses tomorrows Canadian International and how 50 years ago it was won by the great Secretariat in the final race of the career. Monique also mentions why the race is so special to Canadian racing and breaks the field down and produces a potential winner. She also talks about one of the undercard races, the $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares and in particular one horse, Canadian champion Moira who is part of Sunday’s field and how she has been such a hard-luck horse this year. Monique also mentions how she has worked on both sides of the business, Standardbred and Thoroughbred and indicates whether she favors one over the other and talks about how she prepares for handicapping a Thoroughbred card of racing. She also talks about what in her mind is the biggest difference in handicapping Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds and mentions where the initial interest in horse racing came from.
Kurt discusses todays stakes filled card at Keeneland and how the five stakes’ events have implications towards a berth in the Breeders’ Cup races next month. Curt also discusses how he had the pleasure to announce several Breeders Cup events when they were held at Keeneland and discusses why in his opinion, Canada played a significant role in the success of the Keeneland Racecourse. Curt also discusses how he was the first announcer at Keeneland in several decades and how important that was to his career and the influence his late father played in calling races. With tomorrow being Canadian International Day at Woodbine, he is asked to comment on the influence that Secretariat had on horse racing in North America and is also asked whether there is a horse on today’s Keeneland card that he believes may have a good chance to win.
Tony talks about the inaugural Jimmy Freight Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park and why it is such a unique race. He also mentions who came up with the idea for the stakes race and why and mentions some of the contenders in tonight’s race. Tony also discusses why he left a career as a successful trainer to become Racing Secretary and whether he still misses training and discusses the recent Grand Circuit schedule of stakes races at Woodbine Mohawk Park over the Summer and whether the stakes season was considered successful. Tony also looks back to when he was first hired by Woodbine and how former Racing Secretary Scott McKelvie helped him become comfortable in his new position and discusses the remainder of the Standardbred season at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
