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.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with champion jockey Flo Geroux, who returns to the show following a major career decision to relocate his tack to Santa Anita Park in California. With more than two thousand three hundred career wins and mounts earning over one hundred eighty-nine million dollars, Geroux reflects on the accomplishments that have defined his riding career, including a Kentucky Derby victory and multiple Breeders’ Cup triumphs. He discusses how his journey began in France, the transition to racing in North America, and the key differences between the two racing environments. Florent also talks about his decision to make the move to California, whether it could become a long-term change, and what goals remain on his riding bucket list. He shares memories of champion Gun Runner, the influence of fellow riders who helped shape his career, and the major races he still hopes to win.

Also today, Ren Carothers joins the program from Tampa Bay Downs, where the spotlight falls on the two hundred fifty thousand dollar Sam F. Davis Stakes, an important Kentucky Derby prep contested at a mile and a sixteenth on dirt. Ren breaks down the Sam Davis field, discusses historical trends from past runnings of the race, and evaluates contenders in the supporting Suncoast Stakes for three-year-old fillies. He explains his personal handicapping philosophy, reflects on how he first became involved in horse racing, and identifies any Derby hopefuls from the early prep season who have caught his attention heading toward the first Saturday in May.

Then, Ontario Thoroughbred breeder Sherry McLean joins the show for the first time. Owner of Northern Dawn Farms, Sherry finished fifth among breeders in two thousand twenty-five breeder award earnings through the government-supported Thoroughbred Improvement Program. She explains why breeder awards are vital—especially for smaller breeding operations—how the award system works from yearling sale through race success, and how breeders benefit financially. Sherry also reflects on how she entered the Thoroughbred industry, the mentors who influenced her path, and the horses that have shaped her passion for breeding in Ontario.

In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the week it was in horse racing news from across North America. Later, he delivers his Ponies Picks of the Day, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, highlighting potential betting opportunities at Woodbine Mohawk Park and other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, Larry heads to Tampa Bay Downs for the Sam F. Davis Stakes, a key Kentucky Derby prep at a mile and a sixteenth on dirt.