This episode features a replay of the interview from last week's show with Michael Copeland, Woodbine, President, Commercial.
Ann and Larry interview Woodbine, President, Commercial Michael Copeland, who discusses the announcement made last week with Global Sports betting leader, bet365 and why it is a landmark deal for Ontario horse racing. Michael also discusses last Sunday’s King’s Plate and what accounted for the record betting handle and whether the bet365 initiative helped to increase the wagering total and also talks about why the Plate was such an ‘experience’ for horse racing fans. Michael also discusses some of the Woodbine initiatives that they will be working on moving forward. Woodbine Mohawk Park Driver, Doug McNair, who talks about representing Canada in the World Driving Championship. Doug also discusses a new Crave presentation ‘Unfiltered’ that was an initiative of Ontario Racing and designed to introduce harness racing to a new audience. Doug also discusses his driving career and also a race that has continued to elude him so far. Colin Davis, an Ontario Thoroughbred Breeder whose Apricot Valley Thoroughbreds won a CTHS Stakes event last weekend at Woodbine. Colin also discusses his breeding operation and why he is so passionate about racing and breeding in the province of Ontario. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry discusses the recent CTHS Premier Yearling Sale and how it was a strong and well attended sale and also mentions about Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park, both racing on Holiday Monday this week. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks.
Key Points:
Michael discusses the importance of the recent announcement with a global sports leader, bet365 and why it is a landmark deal for horse racing. He also mentions why it was important to horse racing to secure this deal and the potential volume of betting dollars the arrangement could add to the provice of Ontario. Michael also mentions the record betting handle at Woodbine on King’s Plate Day and whether the arrangement with bet365 helped to contribute to these numbers and talks about a new program called Rail Birds, that will provide more content on horse racing , with much of the content directed at sports bettors. Michael also discusses some of the initititives Woodbine will be turning their attention to over the next few months and also discusses some of the upcoming stakes events at Woodbine over the next few weeks.
Doug discusses his recent representation for Canada in harness racing’s World Driving Championship that saw Doug finish second to Norway’s Rick Ebbinge and whether he was disappointed with the second place finish. Doug also discusses what it is like to compete against the world’s best and whether the competition allows for some free time to socialize. He also discusses a recent television interview on CP24, which helped to introduce a new Crave feature called ‘Unfiltered’ , which is designed to attract new people into harness racing and also mentions a harness race that he still wants to win, although so far, it has continued to elude him. Doug also recollects on his first professional drive and first victory and at what track it took place at and also talks about one of his drives at Woodbine Mohawk Park tonight and why this horse made a break in stride when it was entered in the Hambletonian last month.
Colin discusses his recent Woodbine stakes win with his horse Rapid Test and how he felt as the horse was crossing the finish line and how he came up with the name. He also discusses the landscape of his horse racing business, which includes breeding and racing and how he actually ‘cut his teeth’ on Standardbred racing at Kawartha Downs, but has since found Thoroughbreds to be his calling. He also discusses the value of Ontario Racing’s Mare Purchase Program and mentions how the program works and why he is such a proponent for the initiative. He also talks about how he acquired the passion for horse racing and mentions how he came up with the name Apricot Valley for his farm.
