David Vivenes - Woodbine’s Executive Vice President Brand and Experience / Woodbine Trainer Bill Tharrenos / Woodbine Trainer, Angus Buntain

Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine

Larry and Ann, are joined by Woodbine’s Executive Vice President Brand and Experience, David Vivenes, who talks about the many initiatives that he and his team have worked on over the past year, which have resulted in many new ‘spaces’ within Woodbine and how they have become great places to enjoy the races from. David also talks about his background and how he became part of the Woodbine team and mentions a sport that has taken the art of presentation and production to the next level. Woodbine Trainer Bill Tharrenos, who tomorrow will saddle his two-year-old My Boy Bruce in the Frost King Stakes at Woodbine and mentions why the horse ended up in this stakes event. He also talks about his season so far and the story behind how he became a Thoroughbred Trainer over 40 years ago. He also mentions what he would tell a young person that wanted to become a Trainer and why he still goes to Florida in the Winter. Another Woodbine Trainer, Angus Buntain, who also has a starter in the Frost King, Unbridled Weather and he also discusses todays race and why he supplemented the horse to the stakes event. He also talks about who he learned the art of Training from and mentions whether he believes that all Trainers have a niche where they excel with a certain horse and if so, what does he believe his is.

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 made by Jockey Chantal Sutherland, that she will be making a riding comeback shortly and where it will take place. In our newest regular feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about today’s $135,000 Grade 3, Ontario Derby 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:

• David initially discusses the new spaces that have been created at Woodbine and how they improve the overall fan experience by offering great views from which to enjoy the races. He also talks about Sports Betting and in particular Woodbine’s relationship with bet365 and whether the relationship is achieving the overall goal of attracting new fans to horse racing. David also talks about his background in branding and how it led to his position at Woodbine and is asked if there is one sport that he believes has really ‘nailed’ the art of branding and presentation. He also talks about his role as Woodbine’s Executive Vice President, Brand & Experience and mentions whether he and his team are working on any initiatives for next year that he may be able to discuss now.

• Bill discusses his two-year-old My Boy Bruce who is entered in tomorrow’s Frost King Stakes at Woodbine and mentions how the horse has been training up to the race. He also mentions what the plans are for My Boy Bruce if he races well tomorrow and whether he may end up in Florida like the rest of his stable over the Winter. Bill also mentions why he goes to Florida in the Winter and talks about the story of how he eventually became a Trainer over 40 years ago. He also mentions what he would tell a younger person if they wanted to make Training horses their occupation and talks about his current season which has seen him saddle forty winners and almost $1 Million in purse earnings so far.

• Angus also discusses tomorrow’s Frost King Stakes at Woodbine and his entrant, Unbridled Weather, and the story behind why the two-year-old had to be supplemented to today’s stakes race. He also mentions whether the two-year old continues to improve going into tomorrow’s race and talks about how he ended up training Unbridled Weather in the first place. Angus also discusses how many horses he is currently training and mentions whether he believes that Trainers find their niche or expertise in training certain types of horses and what he believes his niche is. He also talks about how he started as an Assistannt Trainer and how this led to him finally going out on his own and training his own stable.