Ontario Racing’s Executive Director Gord Thain / Ajax Down’s General Manager Operations, Emilio Trotta / Woodbine Trainer, John Charalambous

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Larry and Ann are joined by Ontario Racing’s Executive Director Gord Thain, who discusses in depth tonight’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park and mentions who some of the top horses to watch are in the stake’s events. Gord also talks about the role Ontario Racing plays as Administrator of the Ontario Sires Stakes program and discusses Ontario Racing’s very successful ‘Unfiltered’ series and what he accounts the series success to. Ajax Down’s General Manager Operations, Emilio Trotta, who discusses Monday’s special ‘United Way Day’ at the track and what fans can expect to see when attending. Emilio also talks about the state of Quarter horse racing at Ajax Down’s and in particular the popularity of the ‘Battle of the Breeds’ races with Thoroughbreds racing Quarter Horses and mentions the state of new ownership programs at Ajax Downs this racing season. Woodbine Trainer, John Charalambous, who discusses last Sunday’s Cup and Saucer Stakes, which saw a Stewards’ Inquiry award his horse Scorching first place in the Woodbine stakes event. He also talks about plans for Scorching and talks about how the business of Training horses has changed since he first got involved in the industry. John also discusses his horse Niagara Skyline and why he believes the horse is in a better spot later today at Woodbine after being unplaced in the Woodbine Mile last month.

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 of a new film called ‘Cody’s Wish’, a true story based on the champion racehorse and his namesake, Cody Dorman, a Kentucky teenager with a rare genetic disorder and a love for racing. In our newest regular feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about today’s $750,000 Grade 1, Queen Elizabeth ll Challenge Cup Stakes 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:

• Gord initially discusses tonight’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park and mentions some of the horses he believes that you need to keep an eye on. He also mentions about two Ontario Sires Stakes awards that will be settled tonight for Leading Driver and Trainer and outlines Ontario Racing’s role as Ontario Sires Stakes Administrator and how they continue to act as a unified voice of the Ontario horse racing industry. Gord also talks about how he became part of the horse racing industry and discusses in depth Ontario Racing’s newest marketing initiative, a series entitled ‘Unfiltered’ and why he believes it has been so successful and who he believes should receive all the credit for this success.

• Emilio discusses Ajax Down’s Monday race card and how it is ‘United Way Day’ and why the day is so important to the local community. He also talks about the state of racing at Ajax Downs and why a shortage of horse supply continues to affect the current racing product. Emilio also mentions about fan engagement and how their ‘Battle of the Breeds’ races which pits Quarter horses against Thoroughbreds continues to be popular with the fans. He also mentions whether he has noticed any new owners getting involved in the Quarter horse industry this year and talks about how plans are moving forward to continue to try to engage new fans and educate them in the wagering process, which they hope to be able to roll out next year.

• John discusses last weeks Cup and Saucer Stakes and in particular his horse Scorching who was elevated to first place because of a Stewards’ Inquiry on the race. John also mentions what the plans are for Scorching going forward and whether these plans may include the King’s Plate next year and does he believe that he is a horse that can stretch out to the mile and a quarter Plate distance. John also talks about his career as a Trainer and mentions how many horses he has in Training and discusses how he believes that the business of Training horses has changed over the years. He also talks about his horse, Niagara Skyline, who is racing at Woodbine later today and why he thinks that the horse is in a better spot today than last time when he was unplaced in the Woodbine Mile.