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.

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.