Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Monmouth Park Marketing Manager Brian Skirka, who returns to Ponies 24-7 for his annual Haskell Stakes preview as Monmouth Park prepares for one of its biggest days of the racing season. Skirka breaks down the one million dollar Grade one Haskell Stakes, headlined by Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo, while also discussing the chances of Kentucky Derby hopeful The Puma and the other contenders in the compact but talented field. Brian also previews the Grade two United Nations Stakes and the Grade three WinStar Matchmaker Stakes, highlights the festival atmosphere surrounding Haskell Day, and reflects on Monmouth Park's rich history and its continued efforts to attract younger fans to horse racing. He also discusses the growing relationship between sports betting and horse racing and shares his thoughts on the future of the industry.
Also today, internationally respected bloodstock agent Donato Lanni returns to the show to discuss one of the most unique and influential careers in Thoroughbred racing. A Montreal native who first became involved in horse racing through the harness side of the sport at Blue Bonnets Raceway, Lanni explains how his passion eventually led him to become one of the industry's most successful bloodstock agents. He discusses the qualities he looks for when evaluating prospective purchases, weighs the importance of pedigree versus conformation, and reflects on some of the elite racehorses he has helped identify throughout his career. Donato also shares how mentors shaped his development, explains the responsibilities of a bloodstock agent during major sales, and recalls the horses that have brought him the greatest sense of pride.
Then, Woodbine trainer Dale Desruisseaux returns to Ponies 24-7 as he prepares for one of the biggest weekends of his training career. Desruisseaux previews Highway to the Moon's start in the King's Plate Trial after the colt's impressive victory in the Queenston Stakes, and discusses his strong one-two punch of Pipers Gift and Dixie Law in the Woodbine Oaks, with both fillies entering the race as multiple stakes winners. Dale also provides an update on today's Woodbine runners, Justine and Aleatoric, reflects on the steady growth of his stable that has now earned more than three and a half million dollars in purses, and discusses the mentors, horses, and experiences that helped shape his career as one of Woodbine's rising trainers.
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, Larry heads to Monmouth Park for the Grade one one million dollar Haskell Stakes, a mile-and-an-eighth test for three-year-olds and one of the premier summer races on the North American Thoroughbred calendar.