Michael Copeland - Woodbine Entertainment’s President - Commercial / Trainer Mark Casse / Woodbine Apprentice Jockey Sofia Vives

Key Points:
• Michael talks about his new role at Woodbine Entertainment as President, Commercial and what it entails and also discusses some of the projects on the Woodbine property that he is overseeing and their potential timelines. He also mentions about the importance of these projects in assisting the Ontario horse racing industry. Michael also talks about the status of integrating horse racing into the platforms of the approved sports betting company’s apps and how they should be seamless to use. He mentions too about the potential for attracting new fans through the sports betting platforms and finally, mentions about the differences between marketing horse racing and other professional sports, especially football.
• Mark discusses his filly Wonder Wheel who won last weekend’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Keeneland and why she was a horse that he had been ‘high on’ since she raced during the summer at Saratoga. Mark also discusses a possible racing schedule next year for Wonder Wheel, and talks about his 2022 racing season as it winds down. He also talks about what he does to relax after the races and if he had not chosen training horses, what could he possible be working at now.
• Sofia talks about the successful start to her riding career at Woodbine and how she started working for trainer Mark Casse at his Ocala, Florida training centre. She also discusses how she got interested in horse racing and becoming a jockey and the support that she continues to receive from her father. Sofia also mentions about the path from Ocala to Woodbine and how certain individuals have contributed to her early riding success and discusses why she may quit riding for the year, before the Woodbine Thoroughbred season comes to an end.