# Kent Verlik, Horse Racing Alberta CEO / Peter Lurie, Thoroughbred Handicapper / Luis Ocasio, Tampa Bay Downs Handicapper

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ponies-24-7-the-radio-magazine-7078697/kent-verlik-horse-racing-alberta-ceo-peter-lurie-thoroughbred-handicapper-luis-ocasio-tampa-bay-downs-handicapper
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ponies-24-7-the-radio-magazine-7078697/kent-verlik-horse-racing-alberta-ceo-peter-lurie-thoroughbred-handicapper-luis-ocasio-tampa-bay-downs-handicapper.md
Podcast: [Ponies 24/7 The Radio Magazine](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ponies-24-7-the-radio-magazine-7078697)
Published: 2026-03-06T19:49:40+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4a7d8502
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/4a7d8502/05351c6a.mp3
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Duration seconds: 4068

## Resource

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Horse Racing Alberta CEO Kent Verlik, who joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time to discuss the organization’s newly released two thousand twenty-six to two thousand twenty-eight business plan. The plan outlines a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening, modernizing, and growing Alberta’s horse racing and breeding industry over the next three years. Kent explains the role Horse Racing Alberta plays within the province’s racing ecosystem, including its regulatory responsibilities, support of racetrack operations, and involvement in breeding and education initiatives such as partnerships with Olds College. He also discusses the current state of racing in Alberta, the challenges facing the industry, and whether the recent shutdown of racing in British Columbia has led to an influx of horses and horsepeople relocating to Alberta. Kent reflects on his own background in the industry and shares his perspective on the future of horse racing in the province. Also today, respected North American handicapper Peter Lurie returns to Ponies 24-7 to preview a major stakes day at Santa Anita Park. Peter breaks down the Grade two San Felipe Stakes, a key Kentucky Derby prep race that awards fifty Derby points to the winner and features a competitive field of three-year-olds looking to secure their place in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. He also analyzes the historic three hundred thousand dollar Santa Anita Handicap for older horses and discusses how the Santa Anita meet has unfolded so far this season. Peter reflects on how he first became interested in horse racing and handicapping, describes the angles he looks for when making selections, and shares thoughts on which Derby prep races so far have produced the most impressive performan…

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