Jessica Paquette, Racetrack Announcer for PARX Racing / Mike Romeo of Terra Racing Stable and Pine View Hyundai / Standardbred Trainer, Blake MacIntosh

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Larry and Ann, are joined by Jessica Paquette, Racetrack Announcer for PARX Racing, who is preparing to call a stakes filled card at the Pennsylvania racetrack, which includes two $1 Million races, the Cotillion for Fillies and the Pennsylvania Derby, which could see the winners of both in Breeders’ Cup races in early November. Jessica breaks down the two races for us and talks about what it was like to be the first and only full time female race caller in the United States when PARX hired her. She also talks about her long-time interest in horse racing and some individuals that have helped ease her into the PARX broadcast booth. Mike Romeo of Terra Racing Stable and Pine View Hyundai and he discusses last Saturday’s stakes win by their Fabulously Fab and why the win came with some extra emotional attachment. Mike also breaks down the history of Terra Racing Stable and discusses another form of ‘horsepower’ that the Romeo family have been involved in, that being the automobile industry with two dealerships, Pine View Hyundai and Airport Nissan, both located in Brampton. Standardbred Trainer, Blake MacIntosh, who discusses his two entries in tonight’s Mohawk Million, Go Ahead Makemyday and a Filly, Monalishi and how they both have been racing up to tonight’s major stakes race. Blake also discusses why he believes that 2024 is working out as a career year for him and mentions where his career began originally and talks about some of his other top horses that he has had the opportunity to train over the years.; In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about last Saturday’s outstanding betting handles at Woodbine on Turf Champions Day, which was headlined by the running of the $1 Million Rogers Woodbine Mile. In our newest regular feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about this afternoon’s $1 Million Pennsylvania Derby 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:

• Jessica initially talks about both two-Million-dollar races on the PARX racing card today, the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and the Grade 1 Cotillion for Fillies and why both races could play a major part in several divisions of this year’s Breeders’ Cup race in early November. She also mentions how she has always had an interest in horses and why this led to her becoming the only Female Racetrack Announcer when she was first hired and mentions what the hiring process was like. Jessica also discusses some other Female participants in horse racing that helped to mentor her for the Announcer’s position and how she has always had an interest in horses, including participating in equestrian events.

• Mike discusses last Saturday’s stakes victory by his Fabulously Fab in the Grade 3 Ontario Matron Stakes at Woodbine and why the Winner’s Circle presentation was very emotional for everyone involved. He also talks about why we have seen Fabulously Fab perform so well in 2024, even though she was forced to move up into open company and what her remaining schedule for this season looks like. Mike also talks about the family history behind Terra Racing Stable and how that same history has carried over to their two automobile dealerships, Pine View Hyundai and Airport Nissan, both located in Brampton He also mentions how many horses Terra has in training and is asked whether Fabulously Fab is the best horse that they have raced to date.

• Blake discusses tonight’s Mohawk Million Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park and in particular talks about his two entrants, Go Ahead Makemyday and Monalishi a Filly, and how they both stamped their ticket for inclusion in tonight’s major stakes event. Blake also discusses his career and where it all began for him and is asked if he remembers his first winner as a Trainer, 24 years ago and the name of the horse. He also discusses some of the other top horses that he has had an opportunity to train throughout his career and being on the verge of having a career year, what does he account this year’s success to. Blake also mentions whether he set any goals for himself prior to the start of the 2024 harness racing season and jokingly, could he be cheering for a dead heat tonight between his two horses, Go Ahead Makemyday and Monalishi.