Racehorse Trainer interview-Larry Rolla

Soft White Underbelly interview and portrait of Larry Rolla, a racehorse trainer in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Larry’s book Against All Odds can be found at www.larryrolla.com. Larry’s KZbin channel is: youtube.com/@LarryRolla?si=p-...
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Here's a link to a GoFundMe campaign to help some of the people seen in SWU interviews: gofund.me/9ebad507

[@surfer19541]

This was by far one of the best interviews. Thanks Mark for finding Larry and having him tell his stories. I hope you bring him back to share the stories he left out. Larry, you had quite a life, and what's even more startling is you lived to tell the tale(s).

[@liamfoster3813]

Thank you Mark for expanding the group of people you interview. Nice to see different people from different places.

[@OTOss8]

What an interesting guy. Thank you to Mr. Rolla for agreeing to be interviewed.

[@HoustonHardHitters01]

Now all that's missing is Martin Scorsese directing this film

[@Anthony-ds3om]

😂. You read my mind. I'm watching and thinking how the hell did Marty miss this one.

[@Anthony-ds3om]

Shout out to Errol Flynn.

[@brothersupreme8844]

This is the truth. If this was the trailer I would be there opening night with my ticket.

[@Nightshade1881]

It’s already in pre production

[@TashaVice]

Didn't he say there's already a film about the Vegas part?

[@wer1386]

This is up there w the divorce lawyer on entertainment. Love this direction of the channel. Keep ‘em coming

[@crisljungmann7986]

Totally. The divorce lawyer was another amazing one, along with the hacker.

[@a.leehilliard4716]

Funny that you intrerviewewed this gentleman. My father's name was Sonny and I am sure that this man knew him. My Dad was a horseman and he bred and trained thoroughbreds up and down the East coast. He had hundreds of winners and i have the photo finishes of every single one. I miss him so much.

[@skullnofunction]

My uncle was a very well known trainer and "needle man" for harness horses in the early 80s. It was lousy with the mob and cheating.

[@robinmillette3127]

Larry, has some great stories and he knew just about everyone everywhere. I loved listening to him it’s like a movie. Larry, you lived an exciting and dangerous life to say the least. Yes please come back again Larry. ✌🏼❤️

[@travisshaffer1233]

Bring larry back great interveiw !!!

[@MM-ex3ff]

Joe Marotto was my father. After all these years, its helpful to hear these stories to understand what was happening in those years. Thank you Larry for sharing.

[@vahnikeahi2207]

Was your father? Or is

[@MM-ex3ff]

He, my father, has died...

[@smitty7758]

@@MM-ex3ffsorry to hear he passed 😢

[@gypsyalex999]

Definitely need a part II. Thank you Larry. 👏🔮💵

[@carolwagener6804]

Larry Rolla has his own KZbin channel for more of him. Good stuff!!

[@robg8203]

You forgot the 🐎 🏁

[@user-qt6lb3si3k]

Yes I’m Italian too love listening to him, I love he loved horses, but my dad lost a lot of money a down payment for a house, and I spent a lot of my childhood picking up looser tickets on the ground. As a kid I felt that the races were fixed! I was a smart kid. My gramma studied numbers in his very small printed numbers. I wish my dad and gramma were alive to hear this documentary! I have to say I hate gambling that is what I did learn in my life.

[@blueskiesmom1323]

I could listen to him tell stories all day long. As an Italian from Jersey, he seems like family. Great show

[@BroMark1611]

Born and raised Jersey. Used to drink with the hands at a local horse farm barn whose trotters ran Freehold in the 70's-80's. Not Italian, but enlisted USAF with 2 Italians in '69 from my high school class and listening to this guy talk is like back home for me too. Just not family like you.

[@blueskiesmom1323]

@BroMark1611 I was born in the 60's and raised in Jersey in the 70's and 80's. Those were the good old days, unlike today's craziness of the social media world.

[@loriblack883]

I got 4 minutes into this video and as I was about to tap on the comments the exact thought in my head was the first sentence in the first comment that I saw......I could listen to him tell stories all day!!

[@johnboy6594]

Same

[@xxxxxx-tq4mw]

Mr Rolla’s really out there with books, podcasts, You Tube channel, etc.

[@gringostarrr]

Outstanding Mark! And he didn't touch on the 90s onwards so he's still gotta another 30 years to talk about. What a character

[@debbielafoy1052]

Look forward to part two. I could listen to his stories all day long.

[@pattyvober7050]

Loved this interview!! So so interesting and I look forward to all the stories to come!! Hope the wait won’t be too long until the next one! Nice job Larry!

[@TedTucholski]

Mark did such a marvelous job interviewing Larry Rolla. :) Chiming in at the end almost ruined the interview. You just wind-up Larry and let'em go. He is a great storyteller.

[@Justin7939]

I cant wait for your next sit down with Mr. Rolla. Fascinating story and a great story teller. He's very wise and has lived his life to the fullest. Thank you Mark and Larry.

[@davidsnyder2000]

Great interview and guest Mark. What an interesting gentleman. Boy the guest you come up with to interview are all so different. I love hearing about other people’s life experiences because I learn things from them. Thank you Mark. God is good to have created you. You’re helping the world with your hard work.🙂🙏

[@conniehanses]

Couldn't agree more.

[@AlexAlex-gj4jd]

There is NO God...If there was one Mark wouldn't have anyone from Skid Row to interview!

[@AussieKingYT]

Incredible interview. Its equal number 1 after all these years. Needs a part 2,3,4 cont...

[@crezacts962]

That's one of the best storytellers I've ever heard

[@denaparrish4948]

Love your story's Larry, you are one real character. Hope to see you soon. Thank you. The boat and barrel story was crazy.

[@brandimyhren6317]

I would of listened to this man talk as long as he wanted too. What a life ! Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait for another minute of his time.

[@futurescalling]

Thank you guys ... That was amazing ... I hope to hear Part 2, Larry.

[@wanderfully4724]

I was riveted. HE MUST COME BACK. what a story teller!!

[@_IslandRealtor]

GREAT new & original interview! Can’t wait for the book to come out!

[@iansmith665]

Very captivating and a very good story teller have to catch the next one bring Larry back

[@shelleyhamm6908]

Thank you Larry for telling us your story. Very interesting! Thank you Mark for everything you do!

[@janasunnarborg8525]

This was very satisfying to listen to. This guy did everything he could to stay out of trouble and survive. I respect that. I am not a gambler. What I appreciate is his honesty and dignity to tell the story as real as he could. Old people man, they are powerful.

[@doggodoggo3000]

he is embellishing alot.

[@celestialcircledance]

If he had stayed on the right side of the law in the first place or second place or third place ,he wouldn't have had to do anything to stay out of it .

[@janasunnarborg8525]

@@celestialcircledance Even I agree with you. I am against illegal activity. However, his whole environment was sort of littered with illegal influences. He apparently did not have a chance at higher education. He did not turn into a killer. I appreciate that he tried to tell the story as straight as he could.

[@lisadaniels6020]

The guy did everything he could to steal and rob the public with his mobster friends. He’s a thug.

[@janasunnarborg8525]

@@lisadaniels6020 Maybe he is a thug. I don't want to stick up for the guy. On the other hand, for me fixing horse races is not robbing the public. Betting on horses is already gambling - fringy behavior to begin with. If you do any gambling or betting of any sort you can plan on being defrauded. Gambling is a kind of fraud already. He was not using public funds or doing bank fraud and no identity theft. Also not killing people and no human trafficking. The more disgusting thing is that he had 7 houses and 7 different women. He hurt those women just because he needed 7.

[@TheRougefish]

The moral of the story is that when you keep your mind intact, you do have stories to tell and none of them about how life did you wrong. People of substance own their failures as much as their success.

[@doggodoggo3000]

He gets to control the narrative of those failures and filter what and how you hear them. hes a control freak and an ego maniac. hes most certainly not a "person of substance"

[@gmy33]

​@@doggodoggo3000indeed its a warning if you are around gogetters .. they have no scrupulus ..

[@billiejoemerick7564]

​​@@doggodoggo3000literally like every other addict that Mark has interviewed- These are the people who he grew up around this is what you had to do to survive- sure shady as hell- but he made it to do this interview- somebody's looking out for this gentleman and if he's a grandpa I bet he's an excellent Grandpa🎉☮️

[@doggodoggo3000]

@@billiejoemerick7564 no. He's just an animal abuser and a con man.

[@morningsnoozer3985]

Wow…….. He reminds me of my dad. Same everything….growing up making your own way knowing what you want full of determination and instinct smart with numbers and people and having few regrets but owning up to mistakes and shortcomings. Can’t wait for the sequel Thanks all around.

[@janiceg7661]

Excellent storytelling! Thank you, Mark and Larry.

[@mixinitupNY]

Mark, third through - your NY interviews are all the best storytellers. Thank you!

[@bigdog1328]

Almost skipped this one. So glad i didn't. I won't make that mistake again

[@wesleyalan9179]

Yeah, never judge a book as the saying goes. Yeah its cliché, but its cliché for a reason, lol! This was a very interesting interview ❤

[@ToniannLagreca]

I find the ones I want to skip are some of the best!

[@enk4s3d77]

Thank you for this one. Like listening to a relative, and I'm sure us east coast Italians appreciate it. Can't wait for part 2

[@doreencunningham3160]

Oh. My. Gosh. !!! What a story !!! Thank you Mark and thank you Larry for sharing! Just unreal and nail biting to listen to !

[@tbluge]

The last section is probably the best wisdom i've heard. I think this might be a top 10 for me in the SWU catalog.

[@angelmota6185]

Great interview love listening to old timers talk about their life story this guy is a legend.

[@terrimartel6558]

The most fascinating interview. I look forward to the tv movie. Really one of my favorite interviews.

[@secondyrdave1760]

One of my favorites, Mark. 🎉 Thanks

[@Bahamaspete]

One of the VERY BEST EVER interviews. Loved it!

[@danthegeetarman]

Larry’s story needs to be a movie! Getting into all the scenarios he did without being in the mafia is wild!

[@comosaycomosah]

This was so good. Feel like old bro is playing down just how gangster he is. This dude was rubbing shoulder's literally from vegas to harlem. Owed a vig for years and years AND survived skating by the skin of teeth lol this was wild not to mention the sheer luck and we'll say grit...it takes to go by everyday on a literal gamble even if you do have it fixed its still a gamble like he said he had to chase tony down several times lol lots of variables there on a daily basis. Plus he had a finger in alot of shit besides racing. Just wild. The story around torwards the end about the hotel then the park bench is 100% how life goes too for some.

[@conniehanses]

Yes, that's a lesson for sure that you learn as we age...💙🌎

[@robinh8416]

Fascinating. Enjoyed this so much. Grew up in Louisville so the race track life is familiar to me. So many characters! Good stuff 😊

[@karenwalker3233]

I could listen to him talk all day long. What a great story teller.

[@njjjjjjjjhhhs]

@karenwalker3233 he has his own youtube channel where he shares his stories and book i think.

[@Alexxx492]

@@njjjjjjjjhhhsdo you have a link

[@thebellakittylove]

This is one of my favorite interviews/stories! Also, when you had the horse jockey tell his story, I enjoyed that one too! Both just fascinating!!

[@RobC0422]

Which one was the jockey interview ?

[@thebellakittylove]

@@RobC0422 I'll have to find it. I don't remember the jockey's name off hand but it was on Soft White Underbelly. The jockey had a great story of how he got the job and his ups and downs working in that business. It was one of my favorites!

[@RobC0422]

@@thebellakittylove i found it thank u

[@thebellakittylove]

I see your found it. Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. Yep, Billy Winland. I thought his story was so fascinating how he worked so hard, happen to be in the right places at the right times, failed or had some tough luck but persevered. And he seems like a really good guy. Your story reminded so much of his. Your's and Billy's stories are two of my favorite on SWU. Did you every meet Billy, or cross paths at any point?

[@_JellyDonut_]

I love how New Yorkers always want to give you the cross streets where something took place

[@Skp186]

Could listen to Larry endlessly! Please bring him back for more! Hope he gets a book deal and damn i wish we could get a movie about his life!

[@michellebrock5618]

Really enjoyed listening to Larry. Mark you should Definitely should do another interview …before The show comes out.

[@cherylrleigh1912]

Just absolutely brilliant. What an amazing storyteller. Please have Larry back soon.

[@EdinburgMSify]

Wow, what a story! He's right about the friends. All you really need is one.

[@timgeraldo4383]

Good stuff Larry. I grew up in the trotting horse life. Lived in those tack rooms, Monticello in the seventies. Met many of them characters as a young teenager. Wild times.

[@rachelx230484x]

Wow! I could listen to him allday everyday, he has had such an interesting life!! Keep telling your stories. I hate that the older generation die out and we loose all this knowledge, it's heartbreaking! More videos from him please 😊😊😊😊

[@lizj3153]

A very interesting story from someone coherent. Thanks Mark.

[@Lonesome__Dove]

It's unfortunate these types of interviews don't get many views. Really shows the state of society.....people love to see suffering and encourage suffering by supporting it.

[@stetson1503]

A great interview. Old school! Thanks.

[@lisastevens2431]

Wow! This was a great interview! Very interesting to me as I'm from Central Illinois and our neighbor bred, trained and raced Standardbreds his whole life. His dad started the farm. My neighbor was the oldest driver in Illinois at one time. My stepdad worked on that farm for over 30 years starting in the 70s. The horses were amazing! Other gambling venues and off track betting destroyed harness racing in Illinois.

[@gorge5412]

Plz consider bringing back Mr. Larry Rolla. Thanks, ML.

[@donaldn1193]

Great Guest. Interesting Stuff. Many of the harness tracks are now just history. Definitely need a Part # 2 on the man.

[@dingalsbe88]

fascinating story... great work Mark. Keep them coming.

[@zaccook1030]

Great interview. I hope this guy is still well and enjoying life

[@wesleyalan9179]

Incredible story. I knew this was gonna be a banger! Also, I love his jacket😄

[@kevinharrison1997]

Lookin forward, to the next interview!!!

[@country6368]

This was cool as shit to listen too probably my second favorite interview on this channel please have him back

[@David_Tully]

This one. Has to be in the top 50. Obviously it's a great book. Stories worth telling. Archiving. 🤜🤜👏

[@j.colbert8558]

I’m just waiting for the movie. That was superb, one of the best videos yet.

[@willewille9595]

We need a follow-up talk with this guy! :D Great and interesting story!

[@winros]

It was the best interview ever! I wish him well!!

[@mcarrusa]

AMAZING interview, Mark! I could have listened for another three hours, then more. Please do a Part II/III for this one! Mr. Rolla, greetings from Elmwood Park (Chicago). Maywood Park was our "home track," though it is now leveled, and a row of Amazon warehouses and strip malls. Thank you for your candid commentary on your life in the racing game. Please update us on when/where your series will be aired/streamed (via SWUB).

[@psmith535]

Great story teller, incredibly sharp memory…this man grabbed life by the balls

[@user-np9lw8uf9i]

eye opening, really enjoyed looking forward to an encore

[@DKHart-zn7ro]

Such an interesting life story! How refreshing to hear someone who doesn't say "I'm like", and "She's like" and "It's like". Not once. So well spoken and thoughtful in his words.

[@oceaneyespat7394]

Wonderful interview.

[@Sheilawasthere]

I definitely want to hear more from this man! This now my favorite interview!

[@njjjjjjjjhhhs]

@sheilakelley3757 he has his own channel

[@karenfryberger4260]

@@njjjjjjjjhhhs Yes, and multiple interviews, if anyone's interested.

[@paulsamuel3811]

I think it’s probably one of the most fascinating stories Mark has interviewed, what a beautiful and crazy life

[@mjgerleman]

So people will watch interviews with child molesters but not horse trainers?

[@tootle_soup]

It’s the same ones that are pro abortion too.

[@col.cottonhill6655]

"Rebecca" has said pedophilic things and everyone loves him here. Alot of sick people out there.

[@JGunit]

Easily the most fascinating interview I've watched on SWU

[@Lisa_702]

Loved every word,please come back

[@billyjohnson9166]

This was a great interview. Better then hookers and drug addicts

[@doggodoggo3000]

This guy embellished ALOT. I worked in racing and i like that we have an interview with someone who is openly a POS and talks about fixing races. Racing is cruel af and needs to be outlawed.

[@maureent8653]

What a great story!! Thank you Larry for telling it!!

[@greggwilson492]

Such a great interview. Nice work as usual.

[@greggwilson492]

I keep watching this interview. And I just feel like it keeps getting better and better. What a great guy who had such an interesting life.

[@roryking1]

this was one of the best interviews/stories i have ever listened to. i wana get larrys book. i have a bad gambling addiction so i was even more invested once he got onto his own gambling problems. they dont make em like him anymore, my dad used to say he had a great life and im sure this man has had one too.

[@brandonratcliff3065]

Hope to see more of you Larry great interview thank you both.. p.s. I would love to here about the ladies...

[@sylviasanpedro8013]

I could listen to his stories all day!

[@prestonedmonds4128]

One of the best ones I've heard. Very interesting!

[@tbluge]

Amazing. This 1.2 hours was better than 99 % of ths movies or TV i've seen in my life.

[@Mullertx]

Wow this one was so good! Action packed from the start ❤

[@onestubbornredhead5798]

One thing about a Horseman, he's always going to tell it blunt and the way it is💯👍 what a great and extraordinary story! Thank you Mr. Ross for sharing your experience with your life and with horse racing🐎🌹👍 it was riveting! Much respect from Assinaboine Downs racetrack in MB Canada, we're all horse obsessed over here too lol

[@edwinlujanhernandez6048]

The best interview you've done

[@thomassackett4091]

i was working horses at BATAVIA DOWNS AND BUFFALO,believe me,i saw plenty of set up races in the early 80s. Relatively easy before cell phones. My 1st driving job was with UNITED HORSE TRANSPORTERS.... imagine never driving a tractor trailer,never being around race horses,handed a slip of paper with farm addresses,and told after you load these horses,meet me in buffalo raceway by 5pm....thats a whole story in getting there.....

[@jewelcitizen2567]

Just riveting, I could listen to this guy *all day* and the day after. Epic…

[@drewmillz1]

This is one of if not the best interview marks posted. My god this guys life should be made into a Netflix or Hulu series. Wow!

[@doggodoggo3000]

id only think thats okay if it shows how sleezy, crooked, and gross animal racing is. I orked in dog sled racing and i think this dude is awful

[@codaalive5076]

Make it another Hollywood movie? They are too sterile, politics thrown out, more often than not also moral of the story. Books have better chance of avoid censure.

[@drewmillz1]

interesting. I didn't realize that part of racing. you're right though it is definitely the dirtiest part of horse racing. he didn't really talk about it. @@doggodoggo3000

[@danthegeetarman]

Can’t wait for the next one!!

[@stevomtb1]

What an amazing life. Can't wait for his next one 🤞

[@ryanm6914]

Great video!

[@normc4603]

Absolutely fantastic interview/ story

[@rodneyzurek4900]

Get him back ASAP . Great interview. I knew they were crooked!

[@dogsmumm]

This is fascinating. Mark, how do you get people to just talk for an hour? It’s amazing how people (like this guy) can give a years/decades long, chronological account of their life experiences. At a glance, it doesn’t seem to be edited. It’s amazing.

[@doggodoggo3000]

i worked in dog sled racing and I could talk for an hour just about how cruel that is without giving you my life story. I have been told I should write book about my life working at a zoo, rescues, in racing and stuff. If I write one you think I could do an interview here too and promote it?

[@morgenmachen2400]

​@@doggodoggo3000I think what you do is email Mark with a short (several minutes) video summarizing your story. His email is linked in the channel info.

[@wesleyalan9179]

​@@doggodoggo3000 Probably

[@ToniannLagreca]

​@@doggodoggo3000I would love to hear your story

[@karenfryberger4260]

Larry Rolla is no stranger to interviews. There are quite a few videos online, several quite recent. Making the rounds.

[@michaell5026]

Fantastic interview!

[@KatJ3st]

Track people Mark. You could do a whole series. Hot horse walkers, grooms, out riders, betting counter staff. That's a whole universe unto itself.

[@KatJ3st]

@CanadianEbikeoutlet YES!!!

[@laney612]

Fascinating interview with amazing insight into the mob world workings and those who lived it. Still, it took the skill of a great storyteller to grab and hold my interest no matter the subject. I'll be re-listening in it's entirety because who doesn't want to reread a great nonfiction story more than once?

[@danameeh1568]

I need to hear more ! I hope he comes back

[@hardtimer]

I would love to see this channel move more towards this format of interview

[@alien1034]

Great man. Great interview. Fantastic choice Mark. ~RESPECT~