OverDrive - Olczyk on Saturday’s King Plate, who he likes on Saturday, and his memories of playing international hockey for the U.S.

Episode Date: August 15, 2025

NBC Sports Horse Racing Analyst Eddie Olczyk on Saturday’s King Plate, who he likes on Saturday, and his memories of playing international hockey for the U.S.

From managing successful careers to raising families, women today are busier than ever. Thinking about their needs, including their own financial planning, often falls by the wayside. Yet at some point in their lives, 90% of women will have sole responsibility of their finances, whether they're divorced, widowed, or single. It's never too early or too late to start planning for your future financial security. Call Calvin the Money Guy, 416-457 plan, or visit askkelvin.ca.cai. Alpine News Network is here live with one of our superheroes Joe and Lucy needed a new roof and reached out to Alpine Credits

I flew over to help them with a home renovation loan I suggested they transformed their house into a giant robot head themes that shoot from the eyes Phew! Instead they just went with shingles but it's pretty glorious Own your home need a loan Alpine Credits can help Alpine credits where homeowners get approved

Fisrael License 12-6-16-1-6. It's going to happen this year. Not going to happen. Here he is. Pucks and Ponies in August. I love it. Our buddy Eddie Old Chuck. How are you doing, Eddie? Hey, what's up, Brian?

Nice to be with you guys. And, yeah, the weather is going to hold off for us. And a little postponement was, I think, was a week last year. And this year, it looks beautiful here at Woodbine. So looking forward to being a part of the broadcast. And hopefully we can make some people some money. So nice to be with you guys, and just to follow up, I caught you guys talking about the Cichucks and the Olympics, and you know where my hat will be hanging come February. I got a good idea.

Considering I am an alum of Team USA back in 1984 over in Syria of Yugoslavia, so I know where my buttered is breaded. You know what I mean. As you should. I wouldn't guess or suggest any other direction you'd take. What was that like in 84, like after the Miracle on Ice in 80? You know, was it supposed to be the Miracle on Ice, you know, two or what? Like, what was that in the room kind of like? Yeah, it was, I mean, look, I was, you know, I made the team as a 16-year-old,

and I played as a 17-year-old in the Olympics in February. And I think I was probably just too young and too naive and just, I thought the safest place was when I was out on the ice, you know, you didn't have Because every town we went to, you know, it was a parade, we're getting keys to the city. You know, the men's U.S. Olympic hockey team is here and, you know, trying to follow in the footsteps of that miracle on ice team in 1980. And, you know, I mean, unfortunately for us, I mean, we, you know, we played Team Canada, I think 10 or 12 times that year. And then the last game we won right before we headed over, we hammered him in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I think we beat them 10-4.

and then our first game of the tournament was against the Maple Leaf, and we ended up losing 4 to 2 in game 1 of the tournament. So it was downhill from there, unfortunately, for us. But, I mean, it helped prepare me for the National Hockey League. Because, you know, look, I was still a kid, and here I am playing a year before the National Hockey League, and I was playing against men for a whole year that helped me prepare for my NHB. career. So, I mean, it was a great experience. Obviously, it was disappointing, but those opening

ceremonies in Sarajevo were, I mean, it was unbelievable. Like, it was just like, wow, you know, here I am four years later after, you know, watching the Olympics in 1980 as a 12-year-old or a 13-year-old and thinking like, wow, I'd love to, you know, play there when I'm old, you know, like when I'm 20 or 21. And here I am as a 17-year-old. So it was a great, it was a great time of my life. I'll never forget it. And I will be going back for the Olympics for NBC. I'm going to be working for NBC in the state, so I'm looking forward to going over there and being a part of the coverage.

Oh, that's awesome. Well, you're going to be covering the big race, the million-dollar Kim's plate tomorrow, Eddie, and 13 horses at Woodbine a mile and a quarter. And I'm looking at the morning lines here. It's a Philly. No time that has been installed as the 7-2 morning line favorite. it. Where do you stand on no time? And what do you make of this race?

Yeah, I got time for the Philly. She looks like she breathes different air. And, you know, Phillies have had great success running in the plate, whether the kings or queen. And it's a race where a lot of horse players and handicappers don't think that there's a lot of speed in the race, meaning they're going to go a mile and a quarter, and, you know, when they do break, they think it's going to be a little bit more of a slower pace. And I'll just let everybody know when they're watching or tuning in tomorrow is like, they'll give a bunch of times in the corner of the screen or Robert Geller, the race caller at Woodbine will, you know, give some fractions, you know, quarter mile, half mile.

When you hear them say three quarters of a mile or you see the split of a minute, minute and 10, a minute and 11, minute and 12, if you see it in that, a minute 11 11 range, like 11 11 and 2 or 111, 4, they're going a pretty good clip, but a lot of people feel like they're going to go maybe 112, 113. So what that means is the slower they go, the better it is for the horses that are a little bit closer. In no time, the Philly for Mark Cassie in the Hall of Famer Johnny Velasco is coming up north of the border to ride again because he wrote her in the, in the Woodbine,

which won very impressively can really be tactical and does want a target in front. So I think the speed of the race is going to come from the rail, the one mancetti and the 13, Ashley's Archer. I think that's where the speed's going to come from, and I think no time's going to sit there. And I also, I like the four horse scorching. I think scorching could maybe trip out and sit in behind the speed of the race and try to make one run.

But I think you have to use the Philly to 10, no time, no question on your, tickets because I think she's just that good. Okay, I'll be up there, Eddie. I'm looking forward to that. I mean, that's the beauty of the King's Plate is like you just, you got so many different races to kind of put yourself in a good headspace, right? Give yourself a bankroll, Brian, get yourself some padded that bankroll. That's right, that's right, man, and that's my intention. And, I mean, how do you, how do you, can you decap any of the other race?

I'm sure you are. I mean, the King's plate's clearly the number one race, and it's going to be a blast once we get there. But it's a fun of them, man. I mean, I know you've done it a lot over the years. You've been all the biggest ones, the derby, all the triple crowns. But, man, the crowd's big. It's an awesome spot. Woodbine's got some cachet to it back in your leaf days. I mean, it's cool.

They're ready. They're ready. The card tomorrow for wagering purposes, it's deep. There's a lot of class, and there are plenty ways to go. Like, I'll be honest with you can, I'm going to go 4-10, 11 in the plate, just so everybody knows. I'm going to go with the four scorching. That will be my pick. But you could go, honestly, like, you could go five or six deep in the plate,

and you could still lose. Because I think if it cranks up to be a race where all of a sudden, you know, the jockeys are sitting there going, well, geez, you know, there's really not a lot of speed in this race. So I'm going to maybe, you know, send a little bit. I'm going to get a little bit closer. So maybe they do go faster. And then that opens up the door for, you know, notorious gangster or runaway again.

Or, you know, maybe a bomber, like the next thing. nine horse Watsonville Red who I'm going to use just in case underneath because I think it has every chance to be about a 50 to one shot the nine horse but I think the value is great I mean they're putting on an unbelievable show tomorrow I know there's still some tickets available so I encourage people to if they got a supposed to be a beautiful day tomorrow to get out to woodbine but I would say in the seventh race bri you're asking me for yeah you know maybe another play in there I mean that's the EP Taylor I mean a grade one three quarters of million dollars they're going to go a mile and a quarter on the turf course.

The legendary Charlie Appleby, the trainer, is coming overseas for Godolphin and a Philly by the name of Diamond Rain will probably be second choice because the four horse, the four horse, the Philly, she feels pretty is, I mean, she's dynamite. I mean, she's been the favorite, I think, in nine straight races and just got beaten her last race in New York at Saratoga. I'm going to try to beat her. I'm going to try to beat her with the shipper Diamond Rain. So if you want to play a little three, four box there,

if you want to try to get the exact order to build that bankroll for the King's Plate, which will be the 10th race tomorrow on the car here at Woodbine. Beautiful. Diamond Rain. I'm on it. 100% I love that Charlie Appleby's coming over. Make it rain, Brian. Make it rain, Dave.

Make it rain. Oh, that's our plan. That's our plan. And, you know, we've talked before about, you know, weather and trying to cap with all that kind of stuff, Eddie. I'm curious how the heat factors in, man, because it's going to be scorching tomorrow. It's going to be hot. Like, how does that?

factor into the way maybe the ponies run and you know the jockeys play it and and how the track plays too because they'll be on the they'll be on the tapita the all you know the all weather surface so you know sometimes when it does get a little uh you know human it gets a little hot sometimes the track favors um you know favors horses that can be a little bit closer so if you are watching every stuff the way tomorrow like i will be um you know you see how the track is playing and you watch other races. It doesn't matter the class. Just watch the races and see, well, geez, I only see horses that get out to the lead

and go wire to wire. There are no horses coming from, you know, from way back. So that's something else to, you know, take care of it. But look, they got water stations on the track. I mean, these horses are taken care of extremely well. And, you know, obviously hydration for athletes. And these are the equine type, you know, they'll be certainly hydrated. But it does play into it.

I mean, I don't care what sport you're playing. I mean, whether you're playing, you know, Pucks or you're playing baseball or you're, you know, you're, you know, you're a jockey or you're, you know, in the, you know, you're in the king's plate. I mean, you know, you've got to make sure that, you know, you're not just showing up the day of the race and making sure that these equine athletes are, you know, drinking water and staying hydrated now. That starts two, three, four, five days prior. So it does have an effect on certain horses. It does. And the last time I checked, these horses can't tell people their trainers and their job. Rockies that they're not feeling good or, you know, something's not right.

Like, they just go out there and do what they're, you know, what they're bred to do. So we'll see how that all plays tomorrow, but it's going to be a gorgeous stay here at Woodbine. Yep, sure we'll be Kingsplay tomorrow up at Woodbine. He's Eddie old Chuck, Eddie. I'm sure you got your ace suit for tomorrow, man. It's, you got to bring the best, right? You know what? You know what, Brian, I think I might be, I might be cracking out one that maybe I were here for the for the beloved leaf back in the late 80s.

Believe it or not, I could still fit into it. I mean, maybe it or not. I love it. Vintage. We might have to, we might have to, we might have to butter me up to get into it. Okay. We can do that. Yeah, you know, I got to get, hey, look it, tomorrow's my birthday.

My wife told me, this is, this is the suit you're wearing. And I went, yes, honey, that, that is the suit that I'm wearing on. Oh, boy. So we'll give Diana Old Check the lovely and talented for 37 years. My wife will give her their primary assist. Nice. Pull it off tomorrow. But look at it, I better give out a couple of winners.

That's all that matters tomorrow. That's what matters. Yeah, and for nostalgic purposes, do you head through the gardens before you head up or Lakeshore Arena or something like that? I'm going to stop back at Bay and Bloor where I used to hang my hat. My first year was in Toronto when I had the 42 Gs, you know, so I might have to. just do a quick little fly-by, stopping McDonald's have a vanilla shake and an apple pie and get to it. Absolutely.

Popping in the Madison maybe for one. That's like an old dog. That's like an old dog pregame. That is. That's how, hey, he's short 41 at the best of his career. It's probably the exact same diet, same plan. Everything, man. That's the beauty of it. He is Eddie Old Chuck.

He'll be up at the Kings Plate at Woodbine tomorrow. Cannot wait for it. And best of luck. Thank you for the details and all the info and all that kind of stuff. We always love having you on. Thank you, Eddie. Keep up the great work. Thanks for having me, guys. You got it. There is Eddie Olchuk.

He'll be going to the Olympic Games. That's pretty cool. That's great. NBC. Seasoned gamer or just video game curious, this week in gaming is the podcast for you. We break down the latest in the world of video games, from basics to beyond. The hottest gaming news, insight, and industry leaders, and more weekly. Join me, Naomi Kyle, and stay ahead of the game with all the latest updates. even if you're a total newbie. Stream this week in gaming on the free IHeartRadio app

or wherever you get your podcasts.