Chris Lush - Woodbine’s Executive Vice President, Technology and Core Wagering / Mark McKelvie - Woodbine’s Senior Manager, Communications / Woodbine Trainer - Marty Drexler

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Larry and Ann are joined by Chris Lush, Woodbine’s Executive Vice President, Technology and Core Wagering, who updates the listeners on the various technology initiatives that he is currently immersed in, including furthering the reach of Sports Betting. He also discusses Woodbine’s own product Dark Horse and some of the changes that have been made to the betting product and also provides an update on the status of Historical Horse Racing and where Woodbine is at in getting the betting initiative legalized for Canadian bettors. Mark McKelvie, recaps last Saturday’s stakes races at Woodbine Mohawk Park and recalls some of the better racing performances on the racetrack that night. Mark also discusses tonight’s Woodbine Mohawk Park card of racing which features eight Ontario Sires Stakes Grass Roots Finals and he also talks about tomorrow’s Breeders Stakes at Woodbine. Woodbine Trainer, Marty Drexler, who discusses his Filly Hurricane Clair who is one of the favorites to win the $400,000 Breeders Stakes tomorrow at Woodbine. He also discusses how he originally became part of the horse racing industry and where it all started and discusses why he thinks he has been so successful in running a ‘Claiming Stable’ in the past. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the recent announcement that Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, one of the oldest racetracks in North America, will be closing for good on December 28th this year and what partly led to the decision. In our newest regular feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about today’s $1 Million California Crown Stakes at Santa Anita and mentions about some of the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show.

Key Points:

• Chris initially discusses the impact Sports Betting has had on Woodbine’s business and mentions some of the further initiatives they are working on to improve the delivery of the Sports Betting platform. He also talks about the arrangement Woodbine has with bet365 and whether there will be other arrangements in place with other Sports Betting Companies and if so when we may see this happening. Chris also discusses Woodbine’s Dark Horse product and some of the updates that have taken place on this betting product and also explains Historical Horse Racing and when we may see it become legalized in Canada and mentions too, what is the major reason this product has not become legal in Canada to date.

• Mark discusses last Saturday’s stakes events held on Mohawk Million Night and mentions some of the stellar performances that took place throughout the evening. Mark also adds what it is that makes Mohawk Million Night so popular and discusses why the Mohawk Million and Metro Pace are so important to the Harness Racing calendar. Mark also talks about tonight’s eight Ontario Sires Stakes Grass Roots Finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park and mentions about a couple of the races and one horse that he believes has a good chance to take all the spoils with a victory tonight. He also switches his attention to Woodbine and in particular the Breeders Stakes tomorrow and discusses some of the top contenders in the race and mentions why he believes it is so difficult to win the Canadian Triple Crown now.

• Marty discusses tomorrow’s Breeders Stakes, and particularly his Filly Hurricane Clair, who is one of the early favorites for the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. He also talks about how he initially got involved in the horse racing industry and where it all started for him and how he originally was known as a Trainer that only ran a Claiming Stable. Marty also discusses some of the major influencers that supported him when he was first breaking into the business and how now he is diversifying his racing stable with more horses like Hurricane Clair. Marty also mentions how he believes hard work and persistence have been part of the keys to running a large racing stable and mentions some of the owners who continued to stick by him during the early years of Training.