Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Fair Grounds handicapper Joe Kristufek, a longtime friend of the show, as the New Orleans track presents one of its strongest race days of the season highlighted by the Grade 2, five hundred thousand dollar Risen Star Stakes. The winner earns fifty Kentucky Derby qualifying points on the road to the first Saturday in May. Joe breaks down the Risen Star field, discusses which contender the race may run through, and evaluates what the result could mean for the upcoming Louisiana Derby scheduled for March twenty-first. He also highlights other key stakes races on today’s Fair Grounds card, reflects on how he first became involved in horse racing, and explains his personal handicapping style. Joe talks about his professional work at Churchill Downs, the race or moment that solidified his passion for Thoroughbred racing, and shares his early impressions of this year’s Kentucky Derby prep season.

Also today, David Anderson returns to the program. A Thoroughbred and Standardbred horseman and President of the Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, David discusses the recent arrival of the stallion Sergei Prokofiev to stand stud in Ontario. Bred in Ontario by Anderson Farms, sold to Coolmore for one point one million dollars, and later repurchased by Anderson in late two thousand twenty-five, the son of Scat Daddy enjoyed both racing success and early promise at stud in England. David explains what Sergei Prokofiev means to Ontario breeding, why he chose to bring the stallion back to Canada, and why Ballycroy Bloodstock in Loretto was selected as his new home. He also previews an upcoming meet-and-greet event for breeders and fans, discusses the stallion’s first crop success including a starter in the Saudi Cup program, and provides updates from the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society including newly announced yearling sale dates and guidance for prospective owners entering the marketplace.

Then, harness driver Damian MacLellan joins the show for the first time following his recent O’Brien Award win as Canada’s Future Star. A native of Inverness, Nova Scotia, Damian recorded eighty-three wins and more than six hundred thousand dollars in purse earnings during the two thousand twenty-five season while competing across Ontario. He reflects on the moment his name was called at the O’Brien Awards, discusses the path that led him from a strong harness racing community in Nova Scotia to driving regularly in Ontario, and outlines the typical weekly schedule of a young catch driver building a career. Damian talks about mentors who have supported his development, the importance of working with trainer Kyle Fellows, and the excitement of earning his first win at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He also shares insight into standout filly A Clean Deal, Canada’s two-year-old pacing filly of the year, and discusses his goals for the two thousand twenty-six season as he looks to build on early success.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the biggest horse racing headlines from the past week across North America. Later, he delivers his Ponies Picks of the Day, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, highlighting potential wagering opportunities at Woodbine Mohawk Park and several other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, Larry heads to Fair Grounds for the Grade 2, five hundred thousand dollar Risen Star Stakes, a mile-and-an-eighth dirt test for three-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail.