Ann and Larry interview Woodbine President, Commercial Michael Copeland, who discusses the recent announcement by the Woodbine Entertainment Board to unanimously elect him as Woodbine CEO, effective October 1st and succeeding Jim Lawson. He also discusses some of the initiatives that he and the Board will work together on, that are not only important to Woodbine, but the entire horse racing industry and discusses the importance of integrating sports betting with horse racing and in particular Woodbine’s HPIbet betting platform and why it would be ideal to have the integration in place by King’s Plate day. Michael also discusses the status of fractional racehorse ownership in Ontario and also if there is any similarity in the way that the Canadian Football League promotes compared to horse racing. Woodbine’s Senior Communications Manager Mark McKelvie, who discusses tonight’s stakes filled card at Woodbine Mohawk Park and mentions the fact that the North America Cup Eliminations had a record 33 entries this year. He also talks about nex t Saturday’s North America Cup Final and some of the other entertainment events taking place at Woodbine Mohawk Park on that evening and on the Thoroughbred front, he talks about how the road to the King’s Plate continues to heat up each week, with several upcoming Plate prep races on the schedule. Mark also mentions about a new International wager now being featured at both tracks, called the Swinger/Omni and how the bet works. Woodbine Jockey Agent Mike Luider, who talks about what it is like to be a Jockey’s Agent and for our listeners he discusses what is a typical day for him. Mike also mentions the career steps he took in becoming an Agent which included some time as a trainer and discusses what attracted him to represent his two riders, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Ryan Munger and whether he is allowed to represent a third rider. Mike also talks about how he was a fan first and what was the greatest horse race that he ever witnessed as a fan and what made it so special. In our new feature, ‘ In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry discusses the fact that today is Belmont Stakes day and discusses some of the contenders and also the fact that todays race has an extra significance , being the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Belmont win which secured the Triple Crown for him. Larry also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks.
Key Points:
- Michael discusses his recent appointment by the Woodbine Board as new CEO effective October 1st and where he will replace Jim
Lawson. Michael also talks about how his current role of President, Commercial has helped prepare him for the future position and talks about his previous experience which included roles with the Toronto Argo’s and the Canadian Football League. Michael also discusses why he has always enjoyed in interest in the sports business and mentions that many of the initiatives that he and the= Woodbine Board will be working at are all designed to help Ontario horse racing. One important initiative is the integration of sports betting platforms with horse racing and in particular the HPIbet product, that Michael adds would benefit horse racing immensely if the integration could be done in time for the King’s Plate. Michael also explains fractional horse ownership and why it is not available in Ontario as yet and talks about how there are many similarities when promoting horse racing and CFL football.
- Mark initially talks about the stakes filled card of racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park which includes several eliminations for next Saturday’s final of the North America Cup and how there was a record number of entries this year. Mark also discusses next Saturday’s North America Cup final and some of the perks attending fans can qualify for and the fact that it is a ticketed event. Mark also talks about the upcoming King’s Plate and how we are starting to see some of the race contenders surface including the Chad Brown-trained colt by the name of Kalik and mentions that we will see more possible entrants over the next few weeks in some Woodbine stakes races. Mark also discusses a new international wager now in place at Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park called the Swinger/Omni and explains how the bet works for bettors and mentions its success rate to date in its short history here.
- Mike initially talks about his role as a Jockey’s Agent for our new listener’s and what would be a typical day for him.. He also mentions why he chose a job as a Jockey’s Agent after having been part of the Thoroughbred industry as an Owner, Breeder, Trainer, etc. and why he left a successful Training career. Mike discusses the two riders that he represents, Emma-Jayne Wilson and Ryan Munger and what attributes attracted him to become an agent for both of them and what qualities he looks for when he recruits a new rider. He also updates us on whether he can represent a third rider and talks about the process of how he solicits rides for his Jockeys and from a fan’s perspective what was the greatest horse race he ever witnessed and why.