Today marks the second installment in Ontario Racing’s new weekly series. Each Tuesday, a familiar name in the sport will be in the spotlight, answering some fun, offbeat questions, giving readers a unique perspective into their personality.
Randy Waples has long been one of the most talented and recognizable drivers on the Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) circuit. A career winner of more than 6,300 races and earnings exceeding $123 million, Waples is also one of the most colourful characters in racing.
1. He wanted to be a surfer.
“At one time, being a surfer sounded pretty good. I liked the idea of that — right to California or Hawaii. At my age now, to tell you the truth, if I could do anything I would probably be like a motorcycle mechanic. I’d like to do something like that. I love motorcycles.”
2. He has eclectic tastes in dream dinner guests.
Asked to name three people, living or dead, he would most like to have dinner with Waples said, “The first would be Elvis Presley, the second would be Jack Nicholson and the third would be Howard Stern.”
3. He thinks Cryin' by Aerosmith is the greatest song ever written.
“That’s a tough one. I like a lot of music. But I’m going to say Aerosmith and
Cryin'. I like
Cryin'. Good song.”
4. He considers himself “the best” crier.
“Nobody can cry like I can. I can’t sing, but I can cry.”
5. He cried in the winner’s circle after San Pail won the Breeders Crown at Woodbine
“I started to choke up and get emotional. That was about the only time. He just meant so much to me. The crowd being out there and the way that they were and the fact that he’d give you everything he’s got. He was just such an amazing horse that I just kind of fell in love with him. When he won that last race, a lot of emotions came out. They were starting to come out anyway.”
More For The Love of Racing