Gulfstream Park’s Handicapper Brian Nadeau / Rideau Carleton Raceway’s New Track Announcer Melissa Keith / Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Mike De Paulo

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Ann and Larry are joined by Gulfstream Park’s Handicapper Brian Nadeau, who talks about the $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby, a Kentucky Derby points race, and Brian discusses the probable race favourite Fierceness and whether he is a legitimate favourite. He also mentions a couple of other horses who he believes could win the race and discusses what jockey’s have had a ‘break out’ season as Gulfstream’s Championship Race Meet ends on Sunday. Brian also adds what horse he believes had the most impressive Derby points race so far this season. Rideau Carleton Raceway’s new track announcer Melissa Keith, who talks about how she ended up at the Ottawa harness track and replacing a legend in John MacMillan behind the ‘mike.’ Melissa also talks about where she learnt to call harness races and where the passion for the sport comes from and some of the other roles she has played in harness racing. Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Mike De Paulo, who discusses the win by his horse Frac Dancer in the $100,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park last Sunday. Mike also talks about what the plans are for Frac Dancer this year and why the next race for him could be the Woodstock Stakes on April 28th at Woodbine. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the recent passing of Frieda Stronach, who was the Matriarch of horse racing’s Stronach Family and also mentions about the stakes win by Frac Dancer at Gulfstream Park last Sunday In our new feature, ‘Road Trip’ , Larry talks about todays Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and 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:

• Brian talks first about today’s card at Gulfstream, and particularly the $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby, which is a major points race for the Kentucky Derby and the last big stakes event for Gulfstream’s Championship season. He also talks about the Race Favorite Fierceness and whether he is a legitimate favourite and why he has lots to prove in today’s event and talks about some of the other top contenders in the Florida Derby and why they interest him. Brian mentions why the Florida Derby is an important race on the way to the Kentucky Derby and discusses what horse has run the most impressive Derby Points race to date and why it was impressive. Brian also talks about a couple of Jockey’s that had ‘break out’ seasons at Gulfstream during the Championship meeting.

• Melissa talks about how she ended up as the announcer at Rideau Carleton and what it was like to replace a harness racing broadcasting icon. She also mentions why former announcer John MacMillan was forced to step away from the Announcer’s Booth and whether he gave her any advice on her first night of calling races and adds that he called the first race of the Sunday card, before officially retiring. Melissa also talks about where she acquired the interest in harness racing and discusses some of the roles that she has held within the industry. She also discusses being a women broadcaster in a predominantly male driven career and talks about how she met another industry icon in Bill Galvin and what information she was able to gather from him to introduce harness racing to schoolchildren.

• Mike updates the listeners on the stakes win by his Frac Dancer in the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream and whether he was surprised by the result. He also discusses how he ended up with Frac Dancer and what the short term and long-term plans are for the horse, this year at Woodbine, including the Woodstock Stakes on April 28th. He also talks about whether he believes Frac Dancer could be a King’s Plate candidate this year and how the colt compares to some of his past good racehorses. Mike also talks about how many horses he expects to have racing at Woodbine this year and how would he summarize his 2023 racing season and the current Gulfstream meet. He also mentions how his stable is a family affair and what makes it that way.