Today on Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine, Larry Simpson previews a packed Saturday broadcast with Cameron Wilkinson, as he fills in for Drew Behm.

First, Churchill Downs’ Kevin Kerstein joins the show for the first time to break down Turfway Park’s Synthetic Championships, featuring four $250,000 stakes races loaded with Canadian talent including Caitlinhergrtness, Queen’s Command, Dresden Row, and Lucky Score. Kevin discusses the Turfway meet, the track’s history, synthetic-surface handicapping, and his career in racing communications.

Also on today’s show, longtime friend of the program and HBPA Ontario President Sue Leslie returns to help wrap up the 2025 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine and Fort Erie. Sue examines this year’s challenges, horse population trends, contract considerations, her own journey in the sport, and her hopes for Ontario racing heading into 2026.

In addition, author Cheryl Eriksen joins us for the first time to talk about her new book on the legendary Standardbred Greyhound - the underdog trotter who became one of the sport’s earliest nationwide superstars. Cheryl shares what drew her to Greyhound’s story, her broader work in equine wellness and communication, and how listeners can purchase the book in time for the holidays.

Plus, the show includes In Case You Missed It, presented by RS Bulk Propane; this week’s Road Trip, powered by Pineview Hyundai, spotlighting the La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine; our feature Striving For Excellence – Racing Performance of the Week, presented by Kingshore Windows & Doors; and, Larry’s Ponies Picks of the Day, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, with plays at Woodbine, Mohawk Park, and other North American tracks.

• (5:31) In Case You Missed It – Larry recaps this week’s major horse racing headlines, presented by RS Bulk Propane.
• (7:20) Road Trip – Spotlight on the La Prevoyante Stakes at Woodbine, powered by Pineview Hyundai.
• (11:04) Kevin Kerstein (Churchill Downs / Turfway Park) – Breaks down the Synthetic Championships at Turfway Park, highlights major Canadian connections, discusses Turfway’s synthetic-surface advantages, reviews the track’s history and meet, and talks about his path in racing communications and handicapping strategies.
• (26:22) Striving For Excellence – Racing Performance of the Week – Honouring standout equine performance, presented by Kingshore Windows & Doors.
• (29:36) Sue Leslie (HBPA Ontario President) – Recaps the 2025 seasons at Woodbine and Fort Erie, discusses challenges and horse population trends, explains the role of the HBPA and its contract structure, reflects on her decades in racing, and looks ahead to goals for the industry in 2026.
• (43:25) Cheryl Eriksen (Author – Greyhound) – Introduces her new book on the legendary trotter Greyhound, shares her passion for horses, talks about her work as a horse midwife and equine communicator, and explains how listeners can purchase the book ahead of Christmas.
• (58:16) Ponies Picks of the Day – Larry’s betting selections for Woodbine, Mohawk Park, and additional North American tracks, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Keith McCalmont, NYRA’s Director of Communications. With six stakes races at Aqueduct today, including the five hundred thousand dollar Cigar Mile and the two hundred thousand dollar Remsen Stakes for two-year-olds, Keith previews an action-packed afternoon. He breaks down the major storylines surrounding the Remsen, including the intriguing matchup between the Danny Gargan–trained Talkin and Paladin, a colt connected to the ownership group of Sierra Leone. Keith also handicaps the Demoiselle Stakes for fillies, reflects on standout performances from NYRA’s 2025 racing season, and discusses the historic significance of the Cigar Mile as it prepares to move from Aqueduct to Belmont. He shares his personal journey in horse racing, his role with NYRA’s three racetracks, and provides an update on the ongoing Belmont rebuild. Keith wraps up by answering the show’s signature closer about what he might have become had he not entered the horse racing communications world.

Also today, Shannon “Sugar” Doyle, track announcer at The Raceway at Western Fair District, joins the show as the London half-mile track gears up for its popular holiday racing schedule. Sugar talks about the current meet, how the season has unfolded since its October opening, and why Boxing Day continues to be one of Western Fair’s most anticipated racing dates. He previews next Tuesday’s Drivers Holiday Challenge, now in its sixth year, which supports the Toys For Tots program, and highlights the roster of drivers competing. Sugar also shares stories from early in his career, how he earned the nickname “Sugar,” and reflects on some of the most memorable races he has ever called. He looks ahead to the rest of the Western Fair meet, discusses horse population trends, and talks about the exciting announcement that Western Fair will host the thirty-seventh O’Brien Awards from January thirtieth through February first.

Then, Woodbine trainer Devon Gittens joins the show for his first appearance. Devon reflects on an impressive 2025 season that includes thirty-eight wins and more than one point two million dollars in purse earnings. He discusses his journey from Barbados to Assiniboia Downs and ultimately to Woodbine, what prompted his move to the Toronto circuit, and how he managed shuttling horses between Winnipeg and Woodbine throughout the year. Devon explains the goals he set upon arriving at Woodbine, what it means to sit fifth in the trainer standings, and how he builds momentum with his stable. He talks about the mentors who guided him, the best horse he has trained so far, and shares the news of his winter move to New York, including whether it could lead to maintaining a string there in the future. Devon also reveals the major race he hopes to win before his training career is over.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry reviews 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, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and other North American tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, powered by Pineview Hyundai, Larry heads to Aqueduct Racetrack for the Grade 2, two hundred fifty thousand dollar Remsen Stakes, a mile and an eighth dirt test for two-year-olds.

● Keith McCalmont — previews the Cigar Mile, Remsen, and Demoiselle; discusses storylines involving Talkin and Paladin; reflects on NYRA’s 2025 season; explains the upcoming move of the Cigar Mile to Belmont; shares his career background and updates the Belmont rebuild.

● Shannon “Sugar” Doyle — discusses the Western Fair meet, Boxing Day racing, the Drivers Holiday Challenge supporting Toys For Tots, his early career and the origin of his nickname, major races he has called, horse population trends, and Western Fair hosting the 2025–26 O’Brien Awards.

● Devon Gittens — talks about his rise to becoming Woodbine’s fifth-leading trainer, shuttling between Assiniboia Downs and Woodbine, his mentorship influences, best horses trained, goals for the future, and his upcoming winter campaign in New York.

● Feature Segments — “In Case You Missed It” recaps the week in racing. “Road Trip,” powered by Pineview Hyundai, previews the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. “Ponies Picks of the Day,” sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, highlights Larry’s top betting opportunities.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Jamie Dykstra, Woodbine’s Vice President of Communications and Coordination. With the Thoroughbred meet winding down, Jamie breaks down the highlights of the 2025 racing seasons at both Woodbine and Woodbine Mohawk Park and reflects on some of the year’s most memorable races. He also discusses the newly launched Woodbine Cares Horsepower Fund, a grant program designed to support charities and non-profit organizations that promote horse welfare and strengthen the bond between horses and people. Jamie explains why this initiative was created, how organizations can qualify, whether the program supports all breeds, and the impact Woodbine hopes it will have. He also previews today’s Winter Wonderland Market at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a free community event featuring forty local vendors and a charity component. Jamie closes by sharing his professional journey in communications and answers the show’s signature question about what he might have become if he hadn’t entered the communications industry.

Also today, Donna Brothers returns to the program. A former jockey with one thousand one hundred thirty career wins, Donna is now a respected sports analyst for NBC, an author, and an advocate for both aftercare and the backstretch community. She talks about growing up in a racing family, her riding career highlights, and how she knew it was the right time to retire. Donna shares stories from major events she has covered, including the Kentucky Derby, World Equestrian Games, Rolex Three-Day Event, and Triple Crown triumphs by Justify and American Pharoah. She discusses her book Inside Track: Insider’s Guide to Horse Racing, why she wrote it, and the decision to donate one hundred percent of the proceeds to Thoroughbred aftercare. Donna also previews the two panels she will moderate next month at the Race Track Industry Symposium in Tucson and talks about her involvement with Starlight Racing.

Then, Chiefswood Stables General Manager Robert Landry joins the show for the first time this year. Robert recaps Chiefswood’s 2025 season, which features twenty-eight wins and more than one point six million dollars in purse earnings. He discusses the stable’s divisions, its current roster of horses, and the standout performers of the season. Robert also previews his filly Piper’s Gift, the morning-line favorite for today’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes following two impressive victories. He talks about Piper’s Gift’s sire, the Chiefswood stallion Yorkton, and what makes the filly such an exciting prospect. Robert reflects on his own riding career of more than two thousand wins, two Sovereign Awards, and sixty-nine million dollars in earnings. He discusses the mentors who helped him early on, the accomplishments he still thinks about today, whether he ever regretted retiring, and the races that slipped away.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It”, Larry reviews this week’s horse racing headlines from around North America. Later on, he presents his Ponies Picks of the Day, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, looking at potential wagering opportunities at Woodbine, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and several other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, powered by Pineview Hyundai, Larry heads to Churchill Downs for the Grade 2, four hundred thousand dollar Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, a mile and a sixteenth event for two-year-olds on the dirt.

● Jamie Dykstra — breaks down the 2025 Thoroughbred and Standardbred seasons at Woodbine and Mohawk, highlights memorable races, introduces the Woodbine Cares Horsepower Fund, explains eligibility and goals, previews the Winter Wonderland Market, and shares his career path in communications.

● Donna Brothers — reflects on growing up in a racing family, her career as a successful jockey, the decision to retire, coverage of major racing events, her book and its aftercare mission, her advocacy for the backstretch community, and her upcoming panels at the Race Track Industry Symposium.

● Robert Landry — discusses Chiefswood Stables’ 2025 results, standout horses, details on Piper’s Gift, thoughts on the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, the influence of stallion Yorkton, his own riding career milestones, mentorship, retirement reflections, and races he still thinks about.

● Feature Segments — “In Case You Missed It” recaps the week in racing. “Road Trip,” powered by Pineview Hyundai, previews the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. “Ponies Picks of the Day,” sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, highlights Larry’s top betting opportunities.