Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Ontario Division President David Anderson, who returns to Ponies 24-7 ahead of the twenty twenty-six CTHS Premier Yearling Sale at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion. With nearly two hundred yearlings set to go under the hammer Wednesday, David discusses the importance of the annual sale to Ontario’s Thoroughbred industry, its history, and some of the outstanding horses that have passed through the sale over the years. He also previews the four-day festival leading into Wednesday’s sale, discusses the significance of E.P. Taylor, Northern Dancer, Nijinsky and The Minstrel being featured on this year’s catalogue cover, and explains how prospective owners can attend, connect with trainers and potentially purchase a yearling of their own. David also reflects on his role as CTHS Ontario President and his family’s long history on both the Thoroughbred and Standardbred sides of the sport.
Also today, Hall of Fame Standardbred driver and trainer Paul MacDonell joins the show for the first time after bringing his remarkable career to a fitting conclusion last Sunday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. MacDonell drove his own trainee Ungawa to victory in his final drive, closing a career that produced more than one hundred twenty-seven million dollars in driving purses and ultimately led to his induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in twenty twenty. Paul reflects on the emotions surrounding his retirement, whether he plans to remain involved in harness racing, and the path that took him from working alongside Hall of Famer Doug Brown to becoming one of Canada’s most accomplished horsemen. He also looks back on his unforgettable partnership with legendary pacer Somebeachsomewhere, discusses some of the other great horses he drove and trained, and shares the races and memories that stand out most from his Hall of Fame career.
Then, Woodbine trainer Santino Di Paola returns to Ponies 24-7 ahead of today’s one hundred fifty thousand dollar Zadracarta Stakes, where he saddles defending champion and morning-line favourite Little Teddy. The consistent mare enters the five-furlong turf sprint with eight victories from seventeen lifetime starts and a perfect two-for-two record at the distance. Santino discusses what has made Little Teddy such a reliable performer, her successful partnership with jockey Austin Adams, and why she has become one of the stars of his stable. He also reflects on how he became involved in racing, the mentors who influenced his career, and a strong twenty twenty-six season that has seen his stable win with fifteen percent of its starters while finishing in the money forty percent of the time. Santino also looks ahead to Wednesday’s CTHS Yearling Sale and discusses whether he may be adding another young prospect to his stable.
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, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and several other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, powered by Amplify Logistics and The Cargo Group, Larry heads to Saratoga for the Grade one one million two hundred fifty thousand dollar Travers Stakes, a mile-and-a-quarter test on the dirt for three-year-olds and one of the premier races of the summer season.