ernie perri

The best racing on the thoroughbred calendar this weekend is north of the border at Woodbine. The 12-race action starts at 1:10 and will feature no less than four graded stakes. Talk about inside information, we will be joined by the Head Clocker, Ernie Perri. The horses going to post on Saturday have mostly been based at the Woodbine ovals where he has had the opportunity to intimately observe their morning routine. Ernie will share his observations and let us know how he settled on his morning line odds for these very contentious races. Ernie has been a horse racing enthusiast and handicapper most of his adult life. So, it was natural that he became a clocker over 15 years ago. He moved on to Head Clocker 10 years ago at Woodbine. He also has been the morning Line odds maker for over 10 years. Currently he is the official Racing Analyst for Woodbine Entertainment. We will again get a visit from one of the real, good guys in the game. After establishing the now landmark farm in Georgetown, Kentucky. Visiting the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland? Put “Old Friends” on your to-do events in Kentucky. Michael always throws a wonderful get-together open to the public the day after the BC and he will fill us in on the details. Old Friends' founder and President Michael Blowen discovered his unique bond with Thoroughbreds while working as a volunteer groom at Suffolk Downs during the 1990s, eventually buying and racing a small stable of claiming-level horses before leaving his position as Arts & Entertainment reporter and film critic for The Boston Globe to become operations director for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. That move to Kentucky gave Michael an even greater appreciation for plight of older, displaced Thoroughbreds and led him to the idea of creating a permanent retirement home in the Bluegrass for horses who need a place to go when their working days are over.

Tyler Picklesimer is currently Racing Secretary for the soon-to-open Turfway Park. As if 2020 hasn’t already been a prolonged episode of The Twilight Zone, those familiar with the Northern Kentucky track (formerly Latonia) wouldn’t recognize the old grandstand – because it isn’t there!!! Tyler will discuss his many experiences and positions he has held at the track over decades. He will also talk about the challenges he faces as the razed track with a new racing surface will be open for live racing the week following Thanksgiving. Ernie Perri became a clocker 15 years ago. He moved on to Head Clocker 8 years ago at Woodbine. He also has been the morning Line odds maker for about 10 years. Currently he is the official Racing Analyst for Woodbine Entertainment. The best racing in North America will take place at Woodbine this Saturday. So Ernie will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes races – the $175,000 G2 Kennedy Road; $175,000 G2 Bessarabian and the $125,000 G3 Ontario Derby.

Horses can be cross-entered in multiple races, with decisions to be made by Monday of race week for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Santa Anita Park. Several horses have been lucky enough to have options to go one way or another: - Omaha Beach, Mitole, Catalina Cruiser, Bricks and Mortar and Catholic Boy all have their options open. In another twist, Tiz the Law, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne, is opting to pass the Breeders' Cup set on a well-planned route to the Kentucky Derby. They pulled it off with Funny Cide! The new Associate Editor at the Blood-Horse, Byron King, will join us to give his opinion on the path they will take. If time allows he will give us his insights on Keeneland's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup. There is some great racing north of the border this Saturday and Woodbine clocker Ernie Perri will join John to look at the top contenders in the Grade 1 $600,000 E.P. Taylor; Grade 1 $800,000 Canadian International and Grade 2 $250,000 Neartic Stakes.

The “Road to the Kentucky Derby officially begins Saturday with the 38th running of the dollar 200,000 Iroquois Stakes (GIII) for 2 year old and the 51st running of the dollar 200,000 Pocahontas (GII) for 2 year old fillies, that kicks off the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” . Both events are part of the Breeders Cup “Win and You are In Divisions.” Other stakes races on Saturdays program are the 36th running of the dollar 200,000 Locust Grove (GIII) for fillies and mares and the 11th running of the dollar 125,000 Open Mind for fillies and mares. Joe Kristufek, the Churchill Downs On Air Handicapper will help John to handicap the 3 graded stakes races. Big day at North of the Border highlighted by the Win and You are In the dollar 1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile(GI). The undercard features the dollar 300,000 Northern Dancer Turf (GI); the dollar 250,000 Canadian Stakes (GII) and the dollar 125,000 Bold Venture Stakes (GIII). Ernie Perri the clocker at Woodbine will help John with as many Woodbine stakes as time will allow.