Larry Rolla interviews Billy O’Donnell

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Larry is certainly getting up there in years, and he's starting to show/sound it, but that's fine. More than fine. I once heard a reporter say that if there was ever a nuclear war, only two species would survive, cockroaches and Cher. LOL. I always added Larry to that list, LOL. Larry's the proverbial cat, and with nine lives. LOL. Many people don't like him, and that's fine too.

Regardless, while it wasn't Mike Wallace, LOL, I absolutely, positively loved the interview. Kept me smiling throughout. One of the greatest drivers of all time. They didn't call him Magic no reason. I always loved Billy O. Back in the day, when their dominance started at the Meadowlands, it was like Ali-Frazier, and everyone had their guy. Billy O was always my guy. Period. To some extent, I think JC and Billy O were like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, respectively, LOL. Everyone at some point plays to their part, and Billy did that because that's who he was, LOL. Thanks for the interview Larry...and Billy too!

[Gaagoots]

Larry is certainly getting up there in years, and he's starting to show/sound it, but that's fine. More than fine. I once heard a reporter say that if there was ever a nuclear war, only two species would survive, cockroaches and Cher. LOL. I always added Larry to that list, LOL. Larry's the proverbial cat, and with nine lives. LOL. Many people don't like him, and that's fine too.

Regardless, while it wasn't Mike Wallace, LOL, I absolutely, positively loved the interview. Kept me smiling throughout. One of the greatest drivers of all time. They didn't call him Magic no reason. I always loved Billy O. Back in the day, when their dominance started at the Meadowlands, it was like Ali-Frazier, and everyone had their guy. Billy O was always my guy. Period. To some extent, I think JC and Billy O were like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, respectively, LOL. Everyone at some point plays to their part, and Billy did that because that's who he was, LOL. Thanks for the interview Larry...and Billy too!

Larry is so entertaining he announced that he’ll be having JC on the podcast that should be fun!

[Lar4400]

Larry or anyone else at this stage of his life has zero reason to lie about past events, for gods sake he wrote a tell all book that pukes about all of the things that he did. I say kudos to him for doing so.
I don’t know the guy but from what I see from him I love who he is now, humble, nice personality, funny, praises others all the time etc.etc. 
Others his age that may have had a suspect past continue to fuck people around until the day they die. Larry seems to be the exception. I think he’s helped many people along the way. Good dude that got caught up in bad situations and had no choice but to do the things he did, what choice did he have.

[jupiter]

Larry is Larry, love or hate him, he's honest, more honest than most.

[Gaagoots]

Larry or anyone else at this stage of his life has zero reason to lie about past events, for gods sake he wrote a tell all book that pukes about all of the things that he did. I say kudos to him for doing so.
I don’t know the guy but from what I see from him I love who he is now, humble, nice personality, funny, praises others all the time etc.etc. 
Others his age that may have had a suspect past continue to fuck people around until the day they die. Larry seems to be the exception. I think he’s helped many people along the way. Good dude that got caught up in bad situations and had no choice but to do the things he did, what choice did he have.

[dougie]

Has anyone read his book? I hear it's great!

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Larry is Larry, love or hate him, he's honest, more honest than most.

 

Absolutely. Come to Jesus or whatever, he made some major changes in his life, and today's he's happy with who and what he is. I am glad for him. He's transparent, open and honest today with how he deals with people. As far as the book and who he used to be, to each their own.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Larry is so entertaining he announced that he’ll be having JC on the podcast that should be fun!

I like the line where Paula Campbell said, "My name is Paula, not John Campbell's wife." If you know Paula, and in the context of the story, that's who she is. Top notch person who has given so much to this industry. Her commitment, passion, and the work she's done for the SRF is unequaled and knows no bounds.

[Gaagoots]

I like the line where Paula Campbell said, "My name is Paula, not John Campbell's wife." If you know Paula, and in the context of the story, that's who she is. Top notch person who has given so much to this industry. Her commitment, passion, and the work she's done for the SRF is unequaled and knows no bounds.

She has always been a class woman. She represents the sport well.

[Gaagoots]

Absolutely. Come to Jesus or whatever, he made some major changes in his life, and today's he's happy with who and what he is. I am glad for him. He's transparent, open and honest today with how he deals with people. As far as the book and who he used to be, to each their own.

Larry has always been a good guy! Refreshing compared to the other podcasts in regards to harness racing.

[makingit]

Where does Billy Odonnell live? Does he train any horses or breed them on a farm?   How about John Campbell and Ron Pierce. Where do they live? On a farm? Train a little or breed?

[Gaagoots]

Absolutely. Come to Jesus or whatever, he made some major changes in his life, and today's he's happy with who and what he is. I am glad for him. He's transparent, open and honest today with how he deals with people. As far as the book and who he used to be, to each their own.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Where does Billy Odonnell live? Does he train any horses or breed them on a farm?   How about John Campbell and Ron Pierce. Where do they live? On a farm? Train a little or breed?

After he retired from training full time, Billy moved to Guelph. As far as I know he still lives there. I don't know if he has any mares. John still lives in River Vale, NJ. He used to have a few mares, but I have no idea if he still does. Ron lives in Montana. I don't think he does anything in the industry.

[makingit]

Thank you Grandstand Handicapper. Interesting and informative. I just pictured those guys living on a horse farm doing a little around the stables.

[Grandstand Handicapper]

Thank you Grandstand Handicapper. Interesting and informative. I just pictured those guys living on a horse farm doing a little around the stables.

You're welcome. Billy used to. He had a farm and trained a few for a while after he gave up driving. These guys are getting a bit older now you know, LOL. Actually, ironically, today is Billy O's birthday. He's 77. Once he fully retired, Billy even stopped driving in the annual Legends Race at Clinton. Allegedly John was precluded from driving when he officially retired due to insurance purposes, but I never really understood that. Ron just left the sport. I have no idea what conspiracy stories you'll hear, but Ron just never came back from his injuries and surgeries, and decided to retire. All he wants to do is hunt, fish, mine for gold, and life in the wilderness, LOL.