NYRA’S Director, Communications - Keith McCalmont / Gulfstream Park’s Track Handicapper - Brian Nadeau / Harness Racing Announcer Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle

Ann and Larry speak with NYRA’S Director, Communications, Keith McCalmont, who discusses today’s stakes filled card at his Aqueduct track, which includes the Remson Stakes, which is a points race for next year’s Kentucky Derby and and the $500,000 Cigar Mile. Keith also talks about the expected destination for next year’s Belmont Stakes and mentions some of the major ‘highlight reel’ races that took place this past year at the NYRA tracks and discusses how the Thoroughbred racing season unfolded in New York this year. Keith also analyzes some of todays stakes events and gives his opinion on who he believes  has a good chance of winning today. Gulfstream Park’s  Track Handicapper and part of the Broadcast Team, Brian Nadeau,  who explains why the Gulfstream ‘Championship’ Meet during the Winter months is so special to horseplayers and the Thoroughbred  racing industry in general. He also talks about some of the important stakes races this Winter at Gulfstream, including the Pegasus and the Florida Derby and gives his opinion when asked about who he believes should be named Thoroughbred Horse of the Year, when the awards are handed out early next year. Brian also gives a couple of horses that he believes may have a good chance of winning today at Gulfstream Park.  Harness Racing Announcer Shannon ‘Sugar’ Doyle, who discusses the current harness meet at The District  at Western Fair Raceway in London and mentions some of the top Harness Drivers that called Western Fair  ‘home’ before moving on to successful driving careers at the larger harness tracks. Shannon also talks about what it was like calling a card of racing and having his ninety-year-old Mother present in the stands for the first and gives his opinion on who he believes should be awarded the O’Brien Award for Canadian Standardbred Horse of the Year and why he believes so. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about a recent piece of Sports Art with some Thoroughbred ties that was the sales topper at a recent auction in Kentucky and also gives some details on Woodbine Mohawk Park’s ‘Winter Wonderland & Market’ to be held later today between 3 and 7 pm. 

Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

 

Key Points: 

Keith discusses today’s card of racing at Aqueduct and the several stakes races and why two of them have major implications for the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby next year. Keith also breaks down a couple of the stakes races and does some detailed handicapping and sums up what the 2023 Thoroughbred racing season was like in New York this past year. He also discusses next year’s Belmont Stakes and where it will be expected to be run because of the construction that currently continues at Belmont Park. Keith also talks about some of his own ‘highlight reel’ races from the past year at the NYRA tracks and what made them so special and talks about whether he misses the days of working at Woodbine and if so why. On this topic he mentions a special Canadian bred horse that holds a special significance to him and talks about his role with NYRA and how some days promoting the Thoroughbred industry, do become very busy. 

Brian discusses the Gulfstream Park ‘Championship’ Meet that just opened for business on Friday and what makes this Race Meeting so special for the Thoroughbred industry. He also talks about some of the major stakes races this Winter and discusses the reopening of the Gulfstream Turf Course and overall, what makes Gulfstream Park such a special place to be at during the Winter months. He also talks about the upcoming Eclipse Award for Thoroughbred Horse of the Year and who he believes should win the award and when asked, mentions who was his favorite handicapper growing up and why. Brian also handicaps a couple of races for our listeners to help them with their handicapping today at Gulfstream. 

Shannon discusses the current Standardbred meet at London’s The District at Western Fair Raceway and how the horse population is holding up. He also talks about some of the harness driver’s who ‘cut their teeth’ at Western Fair and went on to successful careers at the ‘bigger racetracks.’ Shannon also mentions how he became involved in harness racing at an early age and what it was like to call a race card this past year and have his ninety-year-old Mother in the stands for the first time. Shannon also discusses one of the most impressive races at Western Fair this year and talks about the O’Brien Awards and who he believes should be named Horse of the Year in Canada. Shannon also gives his opinion on who he believes was the greatest Harness Driver that he had an opportunity to watch drive and why they stood out from all the other drivers.