Ann and Larry interview Woodbine Entertainment’s CEO Jim Lawson, who discusses the recently released 2023 Thoroughbred stakes schedule and talks about the Kings Plate and two popular stakes events, one that has been renamed and the other that has been brought back after a COVID induced hiatus. He also talks about the status of integrating horse racing with sports betting platforms and projected dates for the build-out on the Woodbine property to be completed. Jim also discusses Woodbine Mohawk Park’s 2023 stakes schedule and outlines some of the highlights to take place this season. Ren Carothers, also known as ‘The Pedigeek’, who is a host and online handicapping analyst for Tampa Bay Downs and breaks down todays Tampa Bay Derby and why it is such an important race to win for someone who is on the Kentucky Derby trail. Ren also discusses her all-time favorite Kentucky Derby and why it has stood the test of time in her opinion, which then leads to a conversation about how she became known as ‘The Pedigeek’. Chad Rozema, currently Simulcast Host for Woodbine Mohawk Park, but shortly he will be taking over the role of Raceway Manager, Grand River Raceway in Elora, ON. Chad discusses his new role at Grand River and the fact that he has been with Woodbine since 2007 and also mentions someone who he considers to be a mentor throughout his career and how he expects to continue using the experience and knowledge that he has gathered over the years while with Woodbine, in his new position at Grand River. Larry provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks.
Key Points:
Jim talks about the 2023 Thoroughbred stakes schedule that was just released and discusses some of the highlights including the Kings Plate in August. He also discusses a stakes race that was a fan favourite , that has been brought back this year but at a new distance and why the change and also a new stakes named after an iconic local racehorse. He also talks about the changing landscape of the Woodbine property and what visitors can look forward to seeing later in the year and also mentions some long term potential changes to the backstretch side of the property. Jim also discusses the current state of sports betting here in the province and when we may see horse racing integrated into the sports betting platforms. Finally, Jim discusses the 2023 Woodbine Mohawk Park stakes schedule and some of the highlights and the current tremendous betting handles recently at Mohawk. Ren initially analyzes the Tampa Bay Derby today and discusses a couple of horses that she believes will ‘make some noise’ in the race and also mentions that in most cases the winner of the Tampa Bay Derby is usually guaranteed entrance to the Kentucky Derby. She also talks about why the Kentucky Derby remains such an important race to win by all horsemen and which Derby is her all-time favourite and why. Ren also talks about why she is sometimes referred to as being the ‘The Pedigeek’ and how growing up she became so involved in horse racing. Chad discusses his current position at Woodbine Mohawk Park, which he will be leaving at the end of the month. He adds that currently he is announcing the Mohawk races as regular announcer Ken Middleton is on vacation currently and then talks about his new role as Raceway Manager at Grand River Raceway that he will begin in April and what the job entails. Chad also discusses about growing up in Elmira and working at the local racetrack when he was 10-years-old and someone who he would consider a mentor that helped him along during his career. Chad also mentions whether there are any challenges going from a large track like Mohawk to a smaller facility like Grand River and discusses some of the initiatives that Grand River Raceway is currently working on that he will now have an opportunity to be part of.
