Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson / Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard / Woodbine Mohawk Park Racetrack Announcer Ken Middleton / Woodbine Jockey Skye Chernetz

Ann and Larry interview Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard, who discusses the recent Sovereign Awards that saw his Moira win Horse of the Year and also named three-year-old filly and his Philip My Dear win the Sovereign for Male two-year-old.  Kevin also discusses whether there is a friendly rivalry now between himself and Trainer Mark Casse, who narrowly defeated Kevin for the Sovereign for leading Canadian Trainer and  also talks about the significance of a horse by the name of Fozzie Bear that helped contribute  to his own training career. Kevin also talks about the upcoming 2023 Woodbine Thoroughbred racing season which begins on April 22nd and discusses some of the horses in his stable including Moira and why he is excited for the Woodbine season to start. Woodbine Mohawk Park Racetrack Announcer Ken Middleton, who disusses the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance, a new not for profit organization to promote Ontario Harness Racing. Ken also discusses how this initiative was formed and the five volunteer directors that are involved  and the reason for establishing the Alliance. Ken also talks about Bill Galvin as a person and how he was always looking to promote harness racing  and how the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance carries on Bill’s work. Woodbine jockey Skye Chernetz, who discusses a recent off-season trip to Thailand that also included a day at the races. Skye also talks about some of the other places around the world that she has visited and why and also talks about last season riding at Woodbine and why she thinks the 2023 season will be better. Skye also talks about her mother, who was one of the first first female jockeys in Canada. In a new feature, ‘ In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry and Ann discuss with Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson his recent announcement to leave the CEO position in the Fall. Larry provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks. 

Key Points:

Kevin talks about Thursday’s Sovereign Awards and whether he was surprised by any of the final results. He also discusses the Sovereign Awards given to Moira for Canadian Horse of the Year and  to Philip My Dear for two-year-old male. Kevin also talks about whether he was disappointed by not winning the Soverereign for leading Canadian Trainer and whether he and Mark Casse have a friendly rivalry and whether this rivalry is good for horse racing, especially in attracting new fans. Kevin also updates us on the upcoming 2023 Woodbine racing season and some of his horses including Moira and discusses the importance of a horse by the name of Fozzie Bear who was very instrumental to his training career.

Ken, initially talks about why the Bill Galvin Racing Alliance was formed and how it was the product of five volunteer directors who were friends with Bill throughout his life. He also discusses some of the initiatives that are being put into place with the ultimate goal  to promote and grow harness racing and engage the general public with the racing community. Ken also talks about Bill Galvin, who was a promoter and a Hall of Famer and how he was always looking for different ways to promote harness racing.  Ken also talks about how people can become part of the initiative and then discusses the upcoming stakes schedule at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Skye, first talks about the decision to travel to Thailand in the off season and mentions how she attended a race day in Bangkok and also if the racing differs any from the racing here at Woodbine. She also talks about some of the other places she has visited in the past few years and why she travels so much and how she was influenced to ride show jumpers when she was six years old. Skye also discusses the 2022 season and whether she was satisfied with the results and also talks about growing up in Manitoba how her family was so involved in horse racing, including her mother who was one of the first female jockeys in Canada. Skye mentions about how female jockeys are still treated differently and says that riders like Chantal Sutherland have helped her become the rider that she is today. Finally she mentions how she has a new agent this year and is looking forward to the 2023 racing season at Woodbine.