Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who returns to Ponies 24-7 following his impressive victory aboard Luster in last Saturday’s one million dollar King’s Plate at Woodbine. Despite breaking from the tricky inside post, Velazquez guided the filly to a dominant seven-and-a-quarter-length victory over the boys, earning his second King’s Plate after previously winning aboard another filly, Wonder Gadot, in two thousand eighteen. Johnny breaks down his ride aboard Luster, discusses when he knew he had the race won, and shares how she compares with some of the outstanding fillies he has ridden throughout his legendary career. He also reflects on more than six thousand seven hundred career victories, over five hundred million dollars in purse earnings, his Triple Crown race successes, and his longtime role as chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild.
Also today, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll returns to the show after capturing her fourth King’s Plate with Luster. Carroll, who previously won the Plate with Edenwold in two thousand six, Inglorious in two thousand eleven, and Mighty Heart in two thousand twenty, discusses Luster’s spectacular performance and the progression that has made the filly one of Canada’s most exciting Thoroughbreds. Josie reflects on when she first realized Luster might be special, the excitement of watching her defeat the colts in Canada’s most prestigious race, and what a fourth Plate victory means at this stage of her accomplished career. She also discusses her journey into training, the importance of the King’s Plate to Canadian racing, and what could be next for Luster, including a possible appearance in the Prince of Wales Stakes or a trip south of the border.
Then, Woodbine trainer Audrey Cheung joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time after recording the first stakes victory of her training career with veteran Artemus Citylimits in last Sunday’s Vice Regent Stakes. The nine-year-old successfully defended his title in the race, giving Audrey a milestone victory during her first season as a trainer. She discusses the experience of winning her first stakes race, what makes Artemus Citylimits such a special horse to have in her barn, and the veteran campaigner’s personality away from the racetrack. Audrey also shares the story of how she became involved with horses, the path that led her to training at Woodbine, the people who helped her along the way, and what she has learned during her first season operating her own 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 Del Mar for the one million dollar Pacific Classic, a mile-and-a-quarter test on the dirt for three-year-olds and upward and one of the premier races of the summer season.