Rachel Ryan, Director of Marketing and Event Operations for the Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment / Woodbine’s Director of Broadcast, Rob Platts / Woodbine Mohawk Park Driver James Macdonald

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Larry and Ann are joined by Rachel Ryan, Director of Marketing and Event Operations for the Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, who discusses tonight’s stakes filled card and in particular the running of the $650,000 Meadowlands Pace for three-year-old colts and geldings. She also discusses the other signature race for the Meadowlands, the Hambletonian that will be raced on closing day, August 3rd and mentions the history behind this trotting event and talks about whether the 2024 race meet has been a success to date. Woodbine’s Director of Broadcast, Rob Platts, who talks about the recent changes in broadcasting the King’s Plate this year and going forward and also how his department will now be expanding and offering races from around the world. Rob also talks about his role as Director of Broadcast and what is it like being the son of a Hall of Fame Jockey . Woodbine Mohawk Park Driver James Macdonald, who talks about his recent win in the National Driving Championship at Hippodrome 3R in Trois Rivieres and why it is important for him to wear the ‘red and white’ and represent Canada next Winter in New Zealand. James also discusses his drive tonight in the Meadowlands Pace, Legendary Hanover, and what type of performance he is expecting from the horse later today. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look at The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about Woodbine Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson who on Thursday night at Woodbine, became the richest female Jockey in all-time purse earnings, eclipsing the long time record held by Hall of Fame Jockey Julie Krone. In our new regular feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about tonight’s Meadowlands Pace and mentions about some of the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ tonight. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show.

Key Points:

• Rachel talks first about tonight’s stakes card at the Meadowlands and drills down on the Meadowlands Pace and who she believes is the horse to beat. She also talks about the current Meadowlands meet and discusses in depth about the Hambletonian that will be raced on closing day, August 3rd and why it has such special racing history. Rachel also talks about how she has been part of the Meadowlands for 20 years and mentions whether over the time that she has worked their, whether there was a special Driver, horse or race that still resonates with her even today. She also talks about where the interest in horses stemmed from which allowed her to begin working at the Meadowlands.

• Rob discusses the story behind the move by Woodbine from TSN to Sportsnet and CITY TV for broadcast of this years King’s Plate and going forward and mentions some new horse racing broadcasts from around the world that will be available over the next year under the new agreement. He also discusses his own role as Director of Broadcast and talks about the Eclipse Award that his team was responsible for winning for a certain racing telecast. Rob also discusses his own career and whether having a father who is a former Hall of Fame Jockey, influenced his decision to become part of Woodbine and adds what was the best advice that his father ever gave him.

• James discusses what it meant to win the recent National Driving Championship at Trois Rivieres and why it is important for him to wear the ‘Red and White’ and represent your country, in his case next Winter in New Zealand. James also talks about his drive tonight in the Meadowlands Pace, Legendary Hanover and how this horse stacks up to some of the good horses that he has driven in the past. James also talks about how becoming a Driver was not originally a top priority for him and how his brother, Anthony was very influential in him becoming a Harness Driver. He also mentions whether he sets any goals for himself at the beginning of the year and how he prepares himself mentally before driving in a race like the Meadowlands Pace.