Gulfstream Park’s Track Handicapper - Brian Nadeau / Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Ted Holder / Standardbred Trainer Brett MacDonald

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Ann and Larry are joined by Gulfstream Park Handicapper Brian Nadeau, who discusses todays Pegasus World Cup Stakes race and the supporting undercard of stakes races at the Florida racetrack. Brian also talks about the Eclipse Awards that took place on Thursday night and mentions how the current Gulfstream Championship meeting has been performing on the pari-mutuel and horse racing side. He also mentions whether there will be a rider at Gulfstream Park who may be set for a ‘break out’ year this racing season. Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Ted Holder, who rose to fame last year when his horse, Kaukokaipuu raced in the King’s Plate. Ted also discusses the Barbados Gold Cup and the special significance that it has to himself and also Woodbine and mentions why a former Woodbine jockey has played a significant part to not only his training career but also his desire to race in the Barbados Gold Cup. Standardbred Trainer Brett MacDonald, who discusses how he became involved in harness racing and if there was someone that acted as a mentor to his driving career. Brett also discusses what is a typical driving week for him and mentions whether there is any difference when driving on a half-mile track as compared to a larger surface like Woodbine Mohawk Park.; In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the recently released stakes schedule that Woodbine Mohawk Park put out this past week and also talks about the Eclipse Awards that were handed out on Thursday evening. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks.

Key Points:

• Brian talks first about the Pegasus World Cup stakes race at Gulfstream Park today and who he believes is the horse to beat. He also talks about one of the other feature races at Gulfstream today and what makes ‘Pegasus Day’ so special. Brian also discusses the Eclipse Awards held at Gulfstream Park this past Thursday night and whether he agreed with the naming of the horse Cody’s Wish, as Horse of the Year. Brian also talks about whether he expects to see a Gulfstream jockey have a ‘break out’ year going forward in 2024 and mentions some of the upcoming stakes at Gulfstream which will serve as ‘Points Races’, towards this years Kentucky Derby.

• Ted talks about last years King’s Plate and why he was disappointed in the race his horse Kaukokaipuu ran and if he ever found out the reason for the substandard performance. He also discusses the upcoming Barbados Gold Cup and why he would like to race a horse in this years event which will be held in March and mentions why people in Barbados are so passionate about horse racing. Ted also mentions a couple of horses that he has nominated to the Gold Cup this year and says why the Barbados Gold Cup has such a strong connection with Woodbine. He also discusses a former jockey Ricky Griffith who he has a special relationship with and discusses his stable at Woodbine this coming racing season.

• Brett discusses how and why he became part of the Standardbred industry and why a Driver. He also talks about how friends and family have made it a lot easier for him to grow into becoming a Driver and mentions if he remembers his first win. Brett also talks about the relationship he enjoys with two Woodbine Mohawk Park Drivers, James Macdonald, and Bob McClure and whether driving at a half-mile track like Flamboro Downs comes with different challenges than driving at a bigger track like Woodbine Mohawk Park. Brett also mentions how many horses the ‘family business’ expects to have racing this year and in the future, whether there is a race on the horizon that he would like to win. He also mentions why we will see him driving at Woodbine Mohawk Park and Flamboro Downs more in 2024.