RANDY EXELBY – BEHIND THE MASK

RANDY EXELBY – BEHIND THE MASK,

By Jennifer Morrison

The black and white winner's circle photograph provides Randy Exelby with a vivid memory of his first day at the racetrack.

It's from October 9, 1968 at Woodbine and 3-year-old Randy mugs at the camera with his parents Clare and Maureen, his sister and their winning horse horse Miss Marianne H. Robin Platts rode the daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Phalanx to victory that day.

“We were all dressed up, we always did for the races,” said Randy, who races his own horses today at Woodbine and several other tracks across North America. “Back then my Dad loved the atmosphere of the backstretch. He loved going to the kitchen to play cards.”

Clare Exelby played football in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes and later became a teacher. He also joined the HBPA of Ontario when he was a horse owner and played a role in developing a groom school.

Randy was an NHL goalie for a time before he started his own sports equipment business called Behind the Mask, a stable name he has used.

“I bought my Dad's share of a horse named Infinite Returns, trained by John MacKenzie, in 1998. That's when I started.”

While Randy moved to Arizona 30 years ago, most of his 10 horse stable is at Woodbine with Martin Drexler. Through this week, Randy has won six races in 2025 from about two dozen starters. Three of his last seven starters at Woodbine have won.

“I love to watch replays and I study the entries as soon as they come out,” said Randy. “Marty does very well. He does his homework and really has a good feel of things.”

Randy also has had horses with fellow NHLer and Woodbine trainer Jim Ensom, a close friend.

Another of his recent winners, Executive Success, whom he owns with Russell Tanz, Cory Hoffman and Stephen Chesney and A Bianco Holding Ltd., is the fast filly Executive Success. The Souper Speedy filly was claimed for $50,000 from a race at Gulfstream this winter.

“We loved that she was Ontario sired and bred. We are looking forward to the Heritage series with her.”

Randy is often visiting his horses in Ontario on his way to checking in on his parents who like in Muskoka. “They are always watching the races.”

And Randy has advice for new owners; “Woodbine racing gives an owner a chance to make some money. The racing program is excellent. You can have a horse there all season long and not have to worry about moving to other tracks. I just love Woodbine.”