Tampa Bay Downs Racing Analyst Luis Ocasio / Woodbine Trainer Michelle Love / Woodbine’s Senior Communication’s Manager , Mark McKelvie

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Ann and Larry are joined by Tampa Bay Downs Racing Analyst Luis Ocasio who talks about todays running of the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby and who he believes stands a great chance of winning the Kentucky Derby points race. He also discusses how he became interested in Thoroughbred racing and why his Spanish background has helped Tampa Bay Downs attract new racing fans and some of the elements behind his handicapping selections. Woodbine Trainer Michelle Love, who discusses the career year that she had last year and what she believes accounted for the good results. She also talks about how she became a Trainer and the story behind it, and also talks about how the Thoroughbred industry is a family affair with her and her husband. Woodbine’s Senior Communication’s Manager , Mark McKelvie, who discusses the recently released Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule for the 2024 Woodbine season and also some of the stakes action planned for Woodbine Mohawk Park later in 2024 and in particular some major changes to the Mohawk Million in September. Mark also wraps up the 2023 Thoroughbred season and talks about how a race day in September, will be Canada’s most lucrative day of racing. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look at The Way It Was in Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the importance of the announcement of the Woodbine Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule and highlights a couple of the major stakes’ races. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Tampa Bay Derby Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and some of the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show.

Key Points:

• Luis talks first about today’s stakes filled card at Tampa Bay Downs and in particular the Tampa Bay Derby and mentions who he believes has a chance at winning and a couple of other horses who may compete for the ‘win spoils.’ He also talks about whether the winner of todays Tampa Bay Derby could go on to win the Kentucky Derby in May and how he became a fan of horse racing through his father. He discusses the various positions that he held in the racing industry before becoming a handicapping analyst at Tampa Bay Downs and discusses some of the handicapping angles and techniques that he uses when analyzing a field of horses. Luis also mentions how his Spanish background has helped the Tampa Bay racetrack communicate better with the growing Spanish population and many of the workers in the Thoroughbred industry.

• Michelle talks about the 2023 Thoroughbred racing season and what she believes made the positive difference over previous years. She also talks about a couple of people that helped her at the very beginning and acted as mentors to the point that on their advice she became a Trainer. Michelle also talks about what we can look forward to from her in the 2024 racing season and how many horses she has in training. She also discusses how horse racing is a family affair, as her husband is the Lead Outrider at Woodbine and mentions how they also look after and train the horses when they retire off the track and become Outrider Ponies. She also admits to what she would be doing now if she was not a Trainer.

• Mark updates the listeners on the 2023 Woodbine Thoroughbred season and then discusses the recently announced Woodbine Thoroughbred 2024 Stakes Schedule. He also talks about in depth the King’s Plate and the stakes races on September 14th, which will be the Canada’s most lucrative day of racing. He also discusses the Canadian International and the reasons why this race will not be part of the Woodbine Stakes Schedule this year and then talks about the Woodbine Mohawk Park Stakes Schedule, including the changes made to obtaining a starting slot to the Mohawk Million race. He also introduces a new stakes race that will be raced at Woodbine Mohawk Park this year the Tompkin Geers and then briefly talks about a special night at Woodbine Mohawk Park on March 21st, which sees a ‘Night at the Races’ supporting the Milton and District Hospital.