Lights, camera, action!
On April 26, simulcast horse racing networks throughout the world will light up with the day’s racing at dozens of tracks including Woodbine, which will be embarking on its 70th season since it opened in 1956.
Arguably the top simulcast network of any track in North America is the Woodbine Entertainment broadcasting department, which has won Sovereign Awards and Eclipse Awards for its feature programming and other honours for its daily shows.
Rob Platts, the director of broadcasting for Woodbine, is in his 20th year in the on-air department and he has a much longer background at the track.
The son of Hall of Fame jockey Robin Platts and accomplished horseperson Debbie Platts has worked odd jobs at the track since he was a teenager. He left for a few years in the early 2000s to work in sports broadcasting before he returned to Woodbine in 2005.
Platts’ job, bringing horse racing information and stories to the public, might sound easy, but with at least two distinct sections of racing fans watching the races on a given day, and more out there to be lured in, the task is tougher than ever.
“Nowadays you can bet on anything and very easily,’ said Platts. “We are up against the expanding on-line gaming and sports betting and my job is to figure out how to help [attract more betting dollars] to racing.”
The various products that Woodbine’s broadcasting department offer must cater to the core bettors (longtime horse racing fans), neophytes and all those between.
“The simulcast channel for Woodbine is for the core bettors. We provide the data, such as odds and changes. We need to provide a quality signal, proper race angles and as much information as we can give them.”
Platts also said that providing information on the races, horses and up-to-the-minute changes that is not already in the track program or Daily Racing Form, is key. In addition, local expertise, analysts with a strong knowledge of their own circuit, are more valuable than guest handicappers.
“We need to give the core bettors information they can’t necessarily find.”
Indeed, horseplayers are much more savvy today than 10, 20 years ago. There are speed figures and comments from handicappers in many publications, and a litany of other information available on-line including more advanced speed numbers and trip notes. Some handicappers provide their own workout and pedigree hints on websites. Thus, it is crucial for a track to provide the best betting information on their home network.
Another important approach is developing an eye for a horse’s appearance pre-race, a skill that is tougher to find from the handicapper set. Hong Kong racing’s Jenny Chapman and New York racing’s Maggie Wolfendale are integral to the handicapping show with their horse appearance notes.
For cable broadcast shows, Platts says the approach is geared a bit more towards storytelling with the keys to betting incorporated.
“We’re fighting for wagering dollars and our focus has to be on giving the audience what they need.”
For more on racing at Woodbine, visit HERE.
20 Years of Woodbine’s Opening Day, First Race Winners
2024 HOBBIE CLASS – trained at Classic Mile in Ocala with Ted Holder and she sped to the lead and coasted under Jason Hoyte.
2023 SILVER TUNES – she was prepared in Florida and arrived in trainer Barrington Siddo’s barn in the spring and jockey Amanda Vandermeersch sent her along to victory.
2022 MY FINAL TRICK – took over from heavily-favoured Lime (Wesley Ward) to win for Daryl Hasmatali and Emma-Jayne Wilson
2021 FIVE DAYS IN MAY – opening day was June 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frank DiGiulio’s filly was a 9-to-2 winner for trainer Bob Tiller and jockey Daisuke Fukumoto
2020 MAJESTIC FEVER – opening day was June 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Darryl Holland, a top European rider who joined the Woodbine jockey colony in 2020, got his season off to a big start, bringing this 14-to-1 home for Vito Armata
2019 BROOKIES BEAR – at 4-to-5, this Colebrook Farms filly, trained by Ashlee Brnjas, won easily under Luis Contreras
2018 HOUDINI AFFAIR – the 3rd first race of the year winner for jockey Rafael Hernandez came on this Chiefswood Stable’s 5-to-2 shot trained by Stuart Simon
2017 PRINCESS NIIGON – at 3-to-1, this gal was third favourite and trained by Julia Carey
2016 SPLASHY GIZMO – trainer Tino Attard sent out this mare to win at 9-to-5 and Luis Contreras rode
2015 CIRCLE THE WORLD – American-based trainer Wesley Ward had this well-bred Munnings filly ready to win at 2-to-5. Rafael Hernandez rode
2014 HIGH TEE – the grey mare won at 8-to-5 for trainer John Mattine and jockey Contreras
2013 FOOLISH – from last to first, jockey Todd Kabel guided this gal to win at 6-to-1 for Nick DeToro
2012 ABSOULUTE HEAVEN – owner and trainer Jim Ensom won with the mare who was ridden by Steve Bahen
2011 NEW TOMORROW – trainer Wesley Ward won the opener with this gal who was 2-to-5
2010 NEVERRGUWITHRICHIE – at 3-to-5, this youngster won for trainer Larry Rivellli
2009 FLASHY N CLASSY – Anne Cameron sent out John Terdick’s mare to win at 5-to-2 with Chantal Sutherland riding
2008 HAVEUBEENTOLDTODAY – Eurico Rosa da Silva was on board this gal at 6-to-1 for Nick Gonzalez
2007 HELLO HALEY – Donver Stables’ filly was second favourite and trained by Josie Carroll
2006 FIRE POWER – this guy was 4-to-1 for owner Frank Romano and trainer Reade Baker
2005 MARYFIELD – she would go on to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint later in her career. Here she won her maiden for trainer Josie Carroll.
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