Episode Details

Today, Larry goes one on onewith Woodbine’s CEO Michael Copeland, who discusses Opening Day for the Woodbine Thoroughbreds today, the upcoming stakes events at Woodbine Mohawk Park  and  also reflects back on last season and in particular the cancellation of the King’s Plate. Michael also discusses the state of Sports Betting in the province and in particular  the arrangement that they currently have with bet365.; NBC Horse Racing Broadcaster and former NHL hockey player Eddie Olczyk, who discusses next weeks Kentucky Derby and who he likes to win this years ‘Run For The Roses’. Eddie also talks about how he became so interested in Horse Racing while playing hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs and alsothe importance of the now defunct  GreenwoodRacetrack  to his handicapping career.; Woodbine Mohawk Park’s Standardbred Race Secretary Jim Gillespie, who talks about what it was like to take over from two icons , Scott McKelvie and Tony O’Sullivan  in his new position  and also talks about his background in Harness Racing which led him to his new role.  Jim also talks about his family ties to the Harness Racing industry  and the path to him becoming Race Secretary.

In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News , Larry talks aboutthe recent induction  by several individuals to the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and he also  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks, later on in the show.  In our ‘Road Trip’ feature, he visits today’sWoodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct Racecourse.

Bullet points of key topics, guests (who they are) & time stamps: 

● Michael initially talks about preparations for todaysOpening  Day at Woodbine  and why this day is so important and also reflects back on last years season including the cancellation of the King’s Plate. He also mentions how preparations for this years King’s Plate are moving forward and how tickets are now on sale and how Woodbine continues to work at improving the horse racing experience and mentions some of the dining facilities . He also discusses the upcoming Stakes meet at Woodbine Mohawlk Park  and how the Pepsi North America Cup is so integral to the Summer racing season.  Michael  alsotalks about the return of the Canadian International Stakes this year and mentions about Sports Betting  and whether bet365 has attracted a younger audience that are interested in combining Sports Betting with Horse Race betting.  

● Eddie initially talks about the Road to the Kentucky Derby and breaks down some of the lead-up races and who he believes have a great chance of winning next Saturday . He actually gives out three horses that are his top picks for the Derby  and he also talks about the path he took from going from professional hockey  to horse racing and in particular how he remembers the iconic  Greenwood Racetrack, which helped to solidify  his  horse racing relationship.  Eddie also talks about playing hockey in Toronto  and how he has been able to spin a hockey career into one from the broadcasting side and mentions whether he believes this year is the year that he believes that the Toronto Maple Leafs have an opportunity to be considered for the Stanley Cup Championship.

● Jim initially talks about the path he took to becoming Race Secretary at Woodbine Mohawk Park and whether there was some pressure in him taking over the position and if he felt that he was prepared enough to take over the position from two icons, Scott McKelvie and Tony O’Sullivan. He also discusses his family ties to the industry and how he trained and  drove at one time in his career and why he made the move to apply for the Race S