NYRA Communications Director, Keith McCalmont / Truro Raceway General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons / Woodbine Jockey Agent Jordan Millar

Ann and Larry interview NYRA Communications Director, Keith McCalmont, who discusses todays $750,000 Belmont Derby and in particular a horse by the name of Kalik, which trainer Chad Brown is currently pointing towards the King’s Plate in August and mentions how the horse has such a unique name and why. Keith also discusses several of the other stakes races today at Belmont and mentions why Saratoga is such a special racing experience. Keith also talks about the upcoming Saratoga race meet and the newly added Travers Festival, which is six Grade 1 stakes races running from Wednesday August 23rd, until Travers Day on August 26th. In closing, Keith discusses his former connections with Canada and how he still manages to stay in contact with them. Truro Raceway General Manager Steve Fitzsimmons, who discusses a recent one of a kind partnership with the Online Sportsbook ‘Coolbet’ that will see the latter become the track’s signature sponsor and become integrated into the broadcast and fan experience at the track. He also discusses whether there are any differences  between his former track Hanover Raceway and Truro and mentions some of the upcoming special race days planned over the next few weeks.; Woodbine  Jockey Agent Jordan Millar who talks about how he worked in several areas of the Thoroughbred industry before settling as a Jockey’s Agent for three riders at Woodbine, Kazushi Kimura, Sophia Vives and Declan Carroll and mentions what ‘life value’ all three riders share. He also discusses what is a typical day for him and whether it changes on race days and whether at some time in his life will he step away from working as an Agent and work in some other area of horse racing. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry  discusses a recent significant donation made by Churchill Downs this past week to the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame , the return of Skinner, a former 2023 Kentucky Derby candidate and also gives a shout out to Woodbine Mohawk Park Track Announcer Ken Middleton who was recently injured in a training accident. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today. 

Key Points:

Keith discusses in-depth todays $750,000 Belmont Derby at Belmont Park and in particular the horse Kalik, who is expected to be one of the favorites for the King’s Plate at Woodbine in August. He also mentions what the name ‘Kalik’ means and talks about another horse in the $500,000 Belmont Oaks on today’s card and how she is expected to race at Woodbine in the Woodbine Oaks later this month. Keith discusses in full, the Saratoga experience and what makes the track so special and how a ‘day at the Spa’ is a major lifestyle experience for racing fans and mentions about the new Travers Festival, which will see six Grade 1 stakes races run between Wednesday August 23rd and Saturday August 26th. Keith also talks about how he ended up working with Nyra and how he still tries to stay in touch with his Woodbine contacts, especially if they ship into Saratoga to race.

Steve originally talks about the new arrangement between Truro Raceway and the Online Sportsbook company, Coolbet Canada and how this is a precedent setting arrangement for harness racing. He also mentions that Coolbet will become a signature sponsor for the track and what that arrangement includes and discusses why Coolbet was interested in such an arrangement with Truro Raceway. Steve also talks about how business has been at Truro so far this way and some of the changes they have made at the track to entice more wagering dollars and mentions some upcoming special days of racing that are upcoming. He also talks about whether there are any major differences between his former track Hanover Raceway and Truro and if he feels that he has settled into his new role now.

Jordan initially talks about how he has been involved in horse racing his entire life and what it is like to be representing three top jockeys at Woodbine in Kizushi Kimura, Sophia Vives and Declan Carroll. He also discusses what ‘life value’ all three of his Jockeys share and what he looks for when he agrees to represent a new Jockey and what a typical day in his life is like and does it change on a race day. Jordan is also asked whether at some time in his career would he consider moving to another area of the horse business and if there was ever a racehorse that sold him on the Thoroughbred racing industry. Brandon also discusses his current three Jockeys that he represents and how he connected with all of them and then started representing them as an Agent.