Ontario Racing’s Independent Chair For The Board of Directors Andrew Gaughan / Trainer Mark Casse / Harlan Malter of Ironhorse Racing Stable

Ann and  Larry  interview Ontario Racing’s Independent Chair For The Board of Directors Andrew Gaughan, who discusses the several positions  that he has had in the horse racing and gaming industries over 30 years and how they all helped to contribute to his new role with Ontario Racing.  Andrew  also discusses the transition to Independent Chair last Fall and whether it was a smooth  one and  talks about some of the issues facing the Ontario horse racing industry, that the Board will be working together on. He also mention  how he became so deeply involved  into  both the horse racing  and gaming industries and the fact that part of this experience was garnered overseas.Trainer Mark Casse, who discusses his filly Wonder Wheel and why she was retired this year. He also talks about some of his starters racing today in stakes action at Saratoga and also what he looks for when purchasing a yearling and the importance of his wife Tina and good help , when it comes to making his training operation successful. Harlan Malter of Ironhorse Racing Stable, whose horse Mattingly will be racing at Woodbine on Sunday in the Victoria Stakes and the story behind the horses name. Harlan also discusses his company Ironhorse Racing Stable and how the Stable got its start and some of the horses they have been involved with and some of the tracks that the partners have been able to visit to watch one of their horses race. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry  discusses the opening of Saratoga this week and what makes it such a great racing experience to take in and also mentions about Del Mar which opens up next week and how it is also mirrors Saratoga as being a lifestyle event when you take in a day of racing. Larry also  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today. 

Key Points: 

Andrew discusses in-depth  the many companies in the horse racing and gaming industries that he has worked for for over 30 years and what each one of them have contributed to the experience needed  in his new position of Independent Chair  of Ontario Racing’s Board of Directors. He also  discusses his transition to his new role last Fall and whether it has been a smooth one and some of the important  issues that the Board has needed to address within the horse racing industry. Andrew  also mentions how and why he became so heavily involved in horse racing and gaming and that he garnered much knowledge by working at one point overseas within the industrys. 

Mark originally talks about his Champion filly Wonder Wheel and why it was necessary to retire her early this year in her three-year-old season. He also talks about some of his starters in the two stakes races at Saratoga today and  then mentions  the current Woodbine meet where he is leading trainer again and looking to the future , the Woodbine Oaks and the Kings Plate, where  he is working to have representation in both races.  Mark also discusses how with so many horses at several North American racetracks, he is able to stay focused and also mentions the important role that his wife Tina plays in his horse operation as well as his team of emplyees. Mark also discusses what he looks for  when purchasing a yearling and gives some examples of ones that he almost purchased and wishes that he had.

Harlan discusses his horse Mattingly who is part of Sunday’s field of two-year-olds in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine and the interesting story of how the horse was named and a story that even dates back to Lou Gehrig. He also mentions why the horse was named after former New York Yankee Don Mattingly and the fact that Don the retired player is probably not even aware that he has a horse named after him. Harlan also discusses how the Ironhorse Racing Stable was formed and some of their racing successes to date and what is the significance behind the Stable’s  Columbia Blue silks complete with a Circle representing a baseball. He also talks about a race that he would like to win and the importance of Royal Ascot.