West Point Thoroughbred’s Jason Blewitt / Woodbine Trainer Mike DePaulo / Woodbine Jockey Sheena Ryan

Key Points:

• Jason talks about the long history of West Point Thoroughbreds and his role with the company and how this role has continued to change over the past few years and how the West Point partnership works. He also discusses the fact that even though he grew up in the backyard of Belmont Park in New York, it took him sometime to have an appreciation for horse racing , to the point where it has became a successful career for him today. Jason also talks about this weeks Eclipse Awards and why they have such a special meaning this year for West Point Thoroughbreds and also the importance to the January horse racing calendar of next Saturday’s $3 Million Pegasus World Cup stakes race at Gulfstream Park.
• Mike talks about how he became part of the Thoroughbred industry as a Trainer and who was a possible mentor for him back in the day. He also discusses the 2022 season at Woodbine and a couple of his horses that impressed him to the point that he believes that they could have a successful season in store for 2023 and also mentions about a race that has continued to allude him throughout his career. He also talks about a horse that he says is the best one to date that he has trained and if he didn’t become a trainer, what did he believe he would be working at today. Finally, Mike talks about how his stable is a family business with both his wife and son playing a special part, especially with the 10 horses he currently has racing at Gulfstream Park during the Winter months and why he likes attending yearling sales and organizing partnerships in order to bring new owners into Thoroughbred racing.
• Sheena reflects back on the riding accident on Mother’s Day that kept her from riding at Woodbine last year and how it has remained a long recuperating process for her. She also discusses how the time off, has given her an opportunity to ponder life and take a ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’ attitude and if and when she returns to riding again, it will only be on her terms. Sheena also discusses how as a young girl she always had an affinity for horses and riding and as she reflected back on her career last year, whether there was ever a chance that she may not want to race again, or perhaps even having a fear of horses. Finally, she discusses how Yoga has played a major role in providing her a current positive, physical and mental state.