Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Horse Racing Alberta CEO Kent Verlik, who joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time to discuss the organization’s newly released two thousand twenty-six to two thousand twenty-eight business plan. The plan outlines a strategic roadmap aimed at strengthening, modernizing, and growing Alberta’s horse racing and breeding industry over the next three years. Kent explains the role Horse Racing Alberta plays within the province’s racing ecosystem, including its regulatory responsibilities, support of racetrack operations, and involvement in breeding and education initiatives such as partnerships with Olds College. He also discusses the current state of racing in Alberta, the challenges facing the industry, and whether the recent shutdown of racing in British Columbia has led to an influx of horses and horsepeople relocating to Alberta. Kent reflects on his own background in the industry and shares his perspective on the future of horse racing in the province.

Also today, respected North American handicapper Peter Lurie returns to Ponies 24-7 to preview a major stakes day at Santa Anita Park. Peter breaks down the Grade two San Felipe Stakes, a key Kentucky Derby prep race that awards fifty Derby points to the winner and features a competitive field of three-year-olds looking to secure their place in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. He also analyzes the historic three hundred thousand dollar Santa Anita Handicap for older horses and discusses how the Santa Anita meet has unfolded so far this season. Peter reflects on how he first became interested in horse racing and handicapping, describes the angles he looks for when making selections, and shares thoughts on which Derby prep races so far have produced the most impressive performances.

Then, Tampa Bay Downs handicapper Luis Ocasio joins the show to preview a big afternoon of racing highlighted by the Grade three four hundred thousand dollar Tampa Bay Derby. The race is one of the most important late-season Kentucky Derby preps, awarding fifty Derby points to the winner and often producing contenders who go on to compete on racing’s biggest stage. Luis discusses the field for this year’s Tampa Bay Derby, the horses he believes have the best chance to win, and why this race has historically played an important role on the road to Churchill Downs. He also breaks down several other stakes races on Tampa Bay’s card and talks about his background in racing, how he became the track’s handicapper, and the approach he uses when preparing his popular “Tip Sheets by Luis.”

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the biggest 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 Tampa Bay Downs for the four hundred thousand dollar Grade three Tampa Bay Derby, a mile-and-a-sixteenth test for three-year-olds and a key stepping stone on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Oaklawn Park handicapper Nancy Holthus as the Road to the Kentucky Derby rolls through Hot Springs, Arkansas. Nancy previews tomorrow’s Grade 2, one million two hundred fifty thousand dollar Rebel Stakes, one of the key Kentucky Derby prep races of the season. She reflects on last year’s weather-delayed Rebel, explains why the race remains on Sunday this year, and discusses which contender the race may run through. Nancy also breaks down today’s Grade 3, five hundred thousand dollar Razorback Handicap, highlights other major stakes events on the Oaklawn card, and evaluates how Rebel winners have historically performed in the Kentucky Derby. She shares her background in racing, describes her handicapping philosophy, and identifies which Derby prep race has impressed her most so far this season.

Also today, jockey Dylan Davis returns to the show as he continues his recovery from a frightening riding accident last November at Aqueduct that left him with nine fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, and a broken collarbone. Dylan discusses the rehabilitation process, the doubts he faced while recovering, and whether retirement ever crossed his mind following what he described as a near-death experience. With more than one thousand six hundred career wins and purse earnings exceeding one hundred four million dollars since beginning his riding career in two thousand twelve, Dylan reflects on the support of his family, including his father Robbie Davis, and the role his agent Mike Migliore played in encouraging his comeback. He also outlines his goals for the upcoming season and the races he still hopes to win in his career.

Then, Woodbine’s Senior Manager of Communications Mark McKelvie joins the program as preparations continue for the two thousand twenty-six Thoroughbred season. Mark discusses the recently announced date for this year’s King’s Plate, what makes the historic classic such a special event, and how plans are progressing for opening day in April. He provides updates on backstretch activity, potential horse population shifts following changes on the West Coast circuit, and what fans can expect from the upcoming meet. Mark also reflects on the recent U.S. Horse of the Year honor for Beau Jangles, the first Ontario-sired two-year-old to win the award, and what the colt’s success means for Ontario breeding and harness racing. He updates listeners on Woodbine Mohawk Park winter operations, weather-related cancellations, and early preparations for the North America Cup.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the biggest 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 Gulfstream Park for the Grade 2, four hundred twenty-five thousand dollar Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, a mile-and-a-sixteenth dirt test for three-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby trail.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with North American jockey Ramon Vazquez, who joins the show for the first time following a sensational five-win performance at Oaklawn Park earlier this week. Vazquez currently sits second in the competitive Oaklawn jockey standings with twenty-four wins, just four behind meet leader Cristian Torres. Since moving to the United States in two thousand eleven, Ramon has recorded more than three thousand nine hundred career victories and purse earnings exceeding ninety-four million dollars. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to becoming one of North America’s most consistent riders, recalls his first career win, discusses the biggest race he has captured to date, and shares which race still sits at the top of his bucket list. Ramon also talks about mentors who shaped his career, his riding goals, and what it takes to compete daily at a demanding circuit like Oaklawn Park.

Also today, Thoroughbred breeder and owner Yawen Wu joins the program for the first time. Alongside her husband James Mann, Yawen co-owns North York-based Mann Engineering while also operating a racing and breeding program anchored at Spirit Run Farm on Lake Scugog. Yawen discusses how she first became passionate about horse racing, the parallels she sees between engineering and managing a racing stable, and the discipline required to succeed in both fields. She reflects on the evolution of her racing program since entering the industry in two thousand seven, highlights some of the stable’s notable horses including Sedbury’s Ghost, and outlines her goals for the coming season. Yawen also shares what visitors would experience touring Spirit Run Farm and describes the journey of building a sustainable racing operation in Ontario.

Then, Woodbine Mohawk Park driver Daryl Thiessen makes his first appearance on Ponies 24-7. Currently sitting sixth in wins at Mohawk, Daryl’s path to harness racing is anything but traditional. A former bullfighting cowboy in Western Canada, Thiessen transitioned into driving Standardbreds in two thousand nineteen. He talks about that career change, his early success on the Ontario B circuit, and a serious racing accident at Century Downs that tested his resolve. Daryl reflects on his breakthrough two thousand twenty-five season in which he won more than three hundred races and earned over two million dollars in purses. He discusses the goals he set entering two thousand twenty-six, what a typical week looks like competing at Mohawk, and what continues to motivate him as he climbs the driver standings.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the biggest 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 Turfway Park for the one hundred seventy-five thousand dollar Joseph Battaglia Stakes, a mile-and-a-sixteenth test for three-year-olds on the Tapeta surface.